Blue Jays Use Big Second Half, Defeat Monks On The Road, 84-72

STANDISH, Maine – The No. 8 University of Saint Joseph (USJ) men's basketball team was tested Thursday night, but a strong second half lifted the Blue Jays over Saint Joseph's College of Maine (SJC), 84-72, in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) matchup on Mike McDevitt Court inside the Harold Alfond Center. With the win, USJ remains undefeated at 12-0 and 7-0 in the GNAC to extend its record-setting start to the season. SJC dips to 3-12 overall and 2-6 in the conference with the setback.

Saint Joseph, the only remaining unbeaten team in Division III, trailed at halftime for the first time this season. In a game that featured 18 lead changes and six ties, the Blue Jays were in a tight battle for all but the final few minutes, when USJ went 8-for-8 from the free throw line to close the contest and seal a 12-point victory. The Blue Jays have now won all 12 of their games this season by double figures. Senior guard Ryan O'Neill (Litchfield, Conn.) was the leading scorer for USJ with 21 points. Saint Joseph did itself a huge favor by shooting a perfect 13-for-13 from the free throw line in the triumph.

GAME INFORMATION 
Score: Saint Joseph 84, Saint Joseph's 72
Records: USJ 12-0 (7-0 GNAC), SJC 3-12 (2-6 GNAC)
Location: Harold Alfond Center | Standish, Maine

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Monks were ready to play from the opening tip, keeping it tight and taking the lead, 23-21, at the eight-minute mark of the first half. Despite scores from the likes of O'Neill, senior forward Jordan Powell (Middletown, Conn.), and senior guard Jaecee Martin (Hartford, Conn.), SJC fought back and finished the half on a 7-0 run to take a 40-38 lead into the break. Senior guard Griffin Foley (Portland, Maine) made timely baskets including a three to even the odds, before a go-ahead layup with only seconds on the timer stunned the visitors as they left the floor.

The Blue Jays made their run early in the second half, but nothing came easy, as USJ pushed the lead back to nine behind some easy looks at the rim from Powell, but just like that, the Monks came right back to keep it a one-possession game. The gap remained between four to eight points all the way until some clutch foul shooting from O'Neill and senior guard Chaylyn Martin (Hartford, Conn.) stretched it to the final score, 84-72.

COACH QUOTE [Glen Miller]
"SJC played an oustanding game and executed exceptionally well offensively. It was good for us to be in a tight game on the road. After being down two points at the half, we responded well in the second half and came away with a solid win."

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
O'Neill had 21 points, four rebounds and hit 4-of-7 three pointers (O'Neill is second in the GNAC in 3FG pct). Powell, who is one of the nation's top field-goal shooters, was 10-of-11 total on the night, good for 20 points. Martin was everywhere for the still undefeated Blue Jays, finishing with 14 points, nine rebounds, a game-high seven assists, three steals and two blocks.

For SJC, Foley was electric all game long finishing with a game-best 27 points on 12-of-19 shooting. Freshman guard Julian Llopiz (Boston, Mass.) had an efficient 20 points off the bench (5-7 3FG) in defeat.

UP NEXT 
The Blue Jays continue their critical five-game GNAC road trip with a visit next to the Raiders of Rivier University on Saturday, January 22 at 3:00 p.m. You can head to www.usjbluejays.com to follow all the action.

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