POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - The
Marist men's basketball team (5-6) defeated Hartford in an exciting double
overtime contest by a score of 89-86. A late 16-5 run by Hartford (0-11) forced
the game into extra time, where the teams needed two full periods to decide the
victor. Freshman Isaiah Morton (Richland, N.J.) led the Red Foxes with a
career-high 23 points on a perfect eight-for-eight night from the field.
Morton and Marist began the game on a hot streak as the
freshman point guard fueled an early 7-0 run to put the Red Foxes ahead 7-2
within the first 2:44 of play. With momentum on their side the team continued
pressing the issue offensively versus the Hawks and held an advantage of four
or more points for over seven minutes from 16:06 until 8:59. During this time, the
team at one point stretched the lead to 11 points at 10:36 following a 9-2 run
that was capped with a successful basket by freshman Manny Thomas (Brooklyn,
N.Y.).
Up 11, the Hawks fought back versus the Red Foxes with a
long run of their own at 9-0 to pull the game within two at 22-20 at 8:33.
Almost as easy as their first run to an 11-point margin,
Marist got its offense and defense back on the same page and went on a 12-3 run
to bring the score to 36-25 with 3:48 remaining in the first. Offensively, the
duo of Devin Price (Inglewood, Calif.) and Chavaughn Lewis (Queens, N.Y.) led
the way with four points a piece, while Adam Kemp (Sherill, N.Y.), Anell Alexis
(Hillsborough, N.J.) and Thomas all flexed their muscles defensively with
individual blocked shots during the 3:59 run.
The Red Foxes closed the half by expanding their lead to 13
by a score of 42-29. As a team they were outshooting the Hawks, 45.5 (15-33) to
34.3 (12-35) and registering an eight shot advantage from the foul line 10-12
versus 2-4. Thomas was the leading scorer at the break with 10 points on 4-5
shooting. He was joined by four other Marist players, who had six or more points.
To begin the second half, Hartford went back to the style of
play that helped them fight back from double digits once in the first half.
Over the first 3:50 of the second stanza, the Hawks ran off 11 unanswered
points to pull the game to within two at 42-40.
Similar to the first half, Marist was quick to answer with a
long run of their own. From 16:20 to 12:51, the Red Foxes notched 10 consecutive
points. Morton was important to this run, as well, as he rattled off the first
five points.
The middle portion of the second half saw Marist hold a
comfortable margin of anywhere between 13 and nine points.
Led by strong three point shooting, Hartford turned a late seven
point deficit of 66-59 at 4:02 into a 70-70 deadlock with 22 seconds remaining.
For the period, Hartford shot 64.3 (9-14) percent from long range.
In the first overtime period, the Hawks converted two quick
baskets to take their first and largest lead of the contest. Down four points,
the Red Foxes kept their composure and coolly sank four consecutive free
throws. This would be a precursor for the remainder of the first overtime
session and well into the second.
On the strength of 90 percent (9-10) shooting a second
overtime would be forced after both teams notched 11 points.
In the second and final five minute period, 75 percent (6-8)
foul shooting and three steals led the Red Foxes to the 89-86 victory.
For the game, Morton led four Red Foxes in double figures
with a career-high 23 points on his 8-8 night shooting. He was joined by Lewis
(16), Thomas (14) and Price (13). Alexis also posted a career-high as he
corralled 14 rebounds.
The team will next be in action on Friday, Dec. 23 when they
travel to Philadelphia to take on Penn in a 7 p.m. matchup at The Palestra.
