(Riverdale, NY) – It was the “Battle of the Bronx” and it lived up to its billing in every way. The borough's only two Division III Men's Basketball teams went head-to-head in a run-and-gun battle that never seemed to slow down. Ultimately, it was a pair of Bronx natives who played crucial roles in a stunning upset as the College of Mount Saint Vincent downed their neighbors to the east, 91-71, to improve to 2-2.
Seniors Charles Hernandez (Bronx, NY/Msgr. Scanlan) and James Mooney (Bronx, NY/Iona Prep) were simply too much for the Lehman defense to stop as Hernandez netted his first career triple-double, and Mooney scored 38 points to lead the way. Hernandez scored 19 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and dished out 10 assists, six of which were to Mooney. Mooney broke the 30-point mark for the third time in four games this season, and improved his Skyline Conference leading points per game average to 33.5. He also added five rebounds and five assists to another incredible effort.
The two teams went back and forth from the opening tip-off, and Lehman actually led 19-12 with 12:08 remaining in the first half. However, Mount Saint Vincent went on a 25-7 run during the final five minutes of play in the first half to open a commanding 54-36 lead at the half. The second half saw both teams play even basketball, but the Lightning (0-3) were unable to ever pull within 15 points.
The game was fairly even statistically as Mount Saint Vincent enjoyed a 42-40 rebounding advantage and both teams committed 19 turnovers. However, Mount Saint Vincent shot 49% from the floor, including 41% from three-point range, while Lehman shot only 41% from the floor and converted three of 16 three-point field goal attempts.
For Lehman, senior Sekani Francis (Bronx, NY/Kennedy HS) had a team-high 25 points and added 11 rebounds, while junior Ralph Mojica (Bronx, NY/Taft) added 12 points and six rebounds.
Mount Saint Vincent senior Greg Casey (Mount Vernon, NY/Blessed Sacrament) also had a big night with a double-double as he added 14 points and 11 rebounds.
Mount Saint Vincent returns to action on Saturday, Dec. 3 when they host Centenary College at 4:00 p.m. The game will mark the Skyline Conference opener for the Dolphins.
