Manhattan, NY - The College of Mount Saint Vincent's men's basketball team had their best showing through three games on Thursday night when they dominated Hunter College in the first, en route to a 112-98 victory. Top scorer Dan Porcic looked like the First Team All-Conference selection that he was a season ago, pouring in 23 first half points while the Dolphins shot 66% from the floor.
The first half of action was the best brand of offensive basketball for CMSV in recent memory. The team opened with a 15-0 run, with each of the five starters - Porcic, Aaron Darab, Joshua Cabezudo, Brian Rawlings and Jack Connolley - scoring at least one basket in the run. The Dolphins would see their lead balloon to as much as 32 points when Sean Goodwin knocked down two free throws with more than eight minutes left in the half.
The Dolphins defense would also impress. James Mooney's squad held the Hawks to just a 28% shooting percentage while forcing 12 turnovers. In addition to Porcic's 23 first half points, Cabezudo would add 14 of his own.
The roles would shift in the second half, as Hunter found its shooting stroke with 57 points in the final 20 minutes. CMSV's lead was too much to overcome, and clutch rebounding and free throws in the waning minutes would be enough to give the Dolphins their first win of the 2022-23 campaign.
Porcic would finish with a game-high 26 points on eight of 14 shooting and added 12 boards, four assists and a pair of steals. Cabezudo would tie Porcic with 26 points of his own while going a perfect 10 of 10 from the charity stripe.
Freshman Joseph Carrier impressed, specifically in the second half at the center position. The first-year big from White Plains stuffed the stat sheet with 11 rebounds, seven points, four assists, a steal and a block. Junior transfer DJ Tucker would also earn a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds while sophomore Brian Rawlings knocked down 16 points, including converting there of seven three point attempts.
The Dolphins will play in their final Division-I matchup on Friday against Manhattan College before heading back home to take on CCNY on Saturday afternoon.
