NEWTOWN, PA. - Bucks had 3 players in double figures, but a late three pointer in the second half saw Christendom slip past Bucks 70-68 on Friday afternoon.
Trailing at half-time, 39-34, the Centurions started the second half by chipping away the guests' lead. The home team pushed forward and with 7:00 minutes remaining in the game, Jaquis Heath (Newtown, PA/La Academia Partnership) hit a three pointer to put Bucks ahead 60-53. The Centurions then went cold, missing their next 4 shots and had 2 turnovers while the Crusaders went on an 8-0 run to give the guests the 61-60 advantage. The game would remain close to the end of the game with both teams going on late runs. With the score tied at 65, 1:09 remaining, Luis Rodriguez (Bensalem, PA/Bensalem) found a cutting Jasier Carter (Nutley, NJ/Abundant Life Academy) to put Bucks ahead by 2. Christendom's John Paul Vander Woude answered with a three-pointer giving them a one-point lead with 42 seconds left. The Centurions we unable to respond, missing a short jump shot to regain the lead and were forced to foul. Christendom converted 2 free-throws to move the score to 70-67 in their favor. Bucks head coach, Farrah McLaughlin called a time-out with 8.5 seconds left to draw up a play in hopes to tie the game. Heath was fouled, converted the first free-throw, and missed the second. Jaden Fogg (Morrisville, PA/Morrisville) tipped the ball to Elijah Bryant (Philadelphia, PA/Paul Robeson) whose shot was deflected out of bounds giving Bucks one more opportunity with 2.2 seconds left. Fogg inbounded the ball to Heath, who took a three falling out of bounds that came up just short and gave the 70-68 win to the Crusaders.
Bryant scored 19 pts along with 10 rebounds and 4 steals in the contest while Heath, Rodriguez scored 16 and 11 respectively.
The loss drops the Centurions to an overall record of 5-11, 1-2 in the ESAC and Christendom College improves to 5-4 overall, 2-2 in the ESAC on the season.
The Centurions are back in action on Tuesday, January 16th when they host ESAC opponent, Williamson College of the Trades with tip-off scheduled for 7:00pm.
