JERSEY CITY --- A second-half outburst by New Jersey City University (NJCU) powered the Gothic Knights past #1 seed Pitt Greensburg in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Semifinal. The meeting was the first between the two schools, and it didn't disappoint.
NJCU(16-12) was led by Brince Shelton's 19 points and 9 rebounds. Arterio Williams found success in the second half and added 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting in 17 minutes of action. As a team, the Gothic Knights shot 46% from the field and 33.3% from three.
Pitt-Greensburg (22-6) shot 44.8% from the field and cooled down to 37.9% from three. Matthew Marinchak led the Bobcats with 22 points on 6-of-14 shooting from three-point range, while Jackson Byer recorded a 17-point, 11-rebound double-double.
Through the opening five minutes, the Gothic Knights held a 9-7 advantage behind a pair of three-pointers from Rogers-Robinson. Stout defense by NJCU continued to force turnovers while Rogers-Robinson and Leon Lawson converted layups to push NJCU's lead to six. The Bobcats remained within striking distance as they settled into the contest, trimming the deficit to four with under 10 minutes remaining. Pitt-Greensburg's relentless press began to pay dividends as they ripped off a 7-0 run to seize a 19-18 lead with 6:42 to go.
Rogers-Robinson broke NJCU's scoring drought, which lasted over two minutes, with a driving layup to reclaim the lead for the Gothic Knights. NJCU's advantage proved short-lived as Matthew Marinchak cashed in from range to put the Bobcats ahead by four. By the end of the half, the Gothic Knights trailed by six after quick baskets by the Bobcats.
Arterio Williams came out firing to start the second half, attacking inside to convert a pair of layups and bring NJCU within two. Pitt-Greensburg regained its rhythm and surged to a seven-point advantage. Marc Brown Jr. drilled a deep three to pull NJCU within three after a Williams alley-oop. Marinchak continued his hot shooting from beyond the arc, cashing in from deep once again to keep the Bobcats ahead.
NJCU's offense began to crack the Bobcats' zone defense and knotted the score at 49 on a Shelton step-back jumper with 12 minutes remaining. Mehki Philogene gave the Gothic Knights their first lead since they held an 18-17 advantage with 6:47 left in the first half, converting a pair from the charity stripe. Pitt-Greensburg pushed the lead back to five, but Philogene answered with a clutch three to slice the deficit to two with 7:20 remaining. Crawford ignited the offense with a crisp move in the paint, followed by a steal and an assist to Cameron McGainey for the fast-break layup and and-one bucket.
Pitt-Greensburg refused to let NJCU extend its lead, storming down the court to reclaim the advantage. The lead didn't hold as Shelton hit a jumper and a free throw to push the Gothic Knights ahead, 68-67. NJCU responded with a 7-0 run that propelled them to a 72-67 lead with under five minutes remaining. NJCU's offense then went dormant, allowing the Bobcats to trim the deficit to one with 1:48 left after a pair of Ty Keffer free throws. Jackson Byer put Pitt-Greensburg up one with 59 seconds remaining, but Williams delivered a jumper to put NJCU ahead by one.
Trent Rozich came storming down the court with an open look at a layup but saw his attempt miss the mark, giving NJCU a chance to pad its lead.
Shelton missed his opportunity, but a charging call at the other end gave possession back to NJCU. Crawford converted both free throws to put NJCU ahead by three with five seconds on the clock. The Bobcats drew up a perfect play to get Marinchak open for three, but his attempt missed right, advancing NJCU to the ECAC Championship game against #2 Keene State on Saturday, March 14.
Up Next:
The Gothic Knights will travel up to New Hampshire for the ECAC Championship against #2 Keene State on Saturday, March 14, at 1:00 pm.