GAME OVERVIEW:
Brookline, MA: The Lynx showed great desire to claim their 12th win of the season away to Newbury College Nighthawks on Thursday, February 8. Lesley took an early lead in this conference game but were pegged back by Newbury who went in six points clear at half-time. Chris Giordano's men turned their performance up a couple of notches following the 15 minute rest and at one stage went as much as 12 points clear. The home side, eager not to lose twice in the one season to Lesley, fought back and closed the margin to a single point at one stage but they were unable to restablish their lead. Joey Martin continued his excellent form with 21 points but Martin was outdone by his opponent Tim Deng who landed 30 points. Lesley are now 12-10 for the season and 7-4 in conference while Newbury's record now reads 4-17 and 2-9 in conference games.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- The opening three minutes was a sign of how close this game was going to pan out. Lesley's Joey Martin made a positive start with a pair of layups and a free throw conversion as the teams were tied three times in as many minutes.
- A three pointer from Lynx junior Charlie Reznikoff drew the teams level for remarkably the fifth time with still 13:19 to play in the first half. Lesley's fast start came to a halt soon after as the Nighthawks assumed control of the contest and following a three point jump shot from freshman Jean Claude Butera, the hosts were singing to the sound of a 31-23 lead.
- Will Gibson displayed his experience for Lelsey with a number of important baskets to haul his school back into the game while Charlie Reznikoff's free throw left just one point between the conference sides, 35-34.
- Newbury had a little dynamo in their ranks in Miguel Rivera who punished a Lesley foul from outside the three point arc with a trio of free throws. Newbury were 49-43 to the good at the sound of the half-time buzzer.
- Lesley were pumped up for action after getting a breather and they went on a seven point streak to leave themselves just a point behind 53-52. Will Gibson, Charlie Reznikoff, Jordan Bellitti and Marquise Johnson were all on target during that dominant spell.
- The outstanding Tim Deng was one of the Newbury players to halt Lesley's momentum as he proved equally efficient sinking free throws as shooting layups. Lesley then went as far as 12 points clear following a stage where Joey Martin cashed in with three 3 pointers.
- The Lynx were unable to finish off the Nighthawks when they had the chance and so the home team came back. They had a dominant spell where they had a 11 point run in which star player Tim Deng contributed 6 points. At this stage, Lesley were holding on at 78-77 with 4:50 remaining.
- Newbury kept knocking on the door with layups from Wayne Massey and Miguel Rivera, the second of which from Rivera left his team 82-81 adrift.
- Lesley did not panic as they tagged on 10 of the next 14 points with the likes of Marquise Johnson and Will Gibson remaining calm from the free throw line.
- The Nighthawks kept probing until the end with Miguel Rivera sinking a layup but with just five seconds on the clock, the home team had no time to force overtime.
- Lesley's three point percentage for the game was 42.3% compared to Newbury's 34.8%.
- In the points off turnover category, Lesley had 23 compared to just six for Newbury.
STAT LEADERS:
LESLEY
Joey Martin 21 points, 3 rebounds
Will Gibson 20 points, 5 assists
NEWBURY
Tim Deng 30 points, 4 rebounds
Miguel Rivera 18 points, 10 assists
THE INSIDE SCOOP:
"Playing on the road in this conference is so difficult. Our guys were prepared and followed our game plan well and there was some adversity thrown our way but we did a great job of responding positively. We were able to battle back to get in the game against a very offensively potent squad in Newbury. This was a team win, start to finish," said Lesley head coach Chris Giordano.
UP NEXT:
Lesley entertain Dean College in a conference match at Nicholas Athletic Center on Saturday, February 10 at 7pm. Newbury have an earlier tip-off time of 1pm on the same day as they travel to play Becker College.