Riverdale, NY - The College of Mount Saint Vincent's men's basketball team kept their winning ways intact on Saturday, when they went on to defeat Mount Saint Mary College at home. It's the second consecutive Skyline win for James Mooney's squad, who are now 6-8 on the year.
The Dolphins took to playing in front of their home fans in a positive way, with the team being active on both ends of the floor leading to points. Sophomore Dillon Hod was especially aggressive on the defensive end. The second year guard picked up two steals in the first two minutes of play, with both swipes leading to a pair of baskets for the Dolphins. The ball movement on offense was also apparent, as Hod, Dan Porcic, George Mejia and Joshua Cabezudo each picked up assists on the team's first four baskets.
The bench unit came in and picked up where the starters left off. Sophomore big Haven Smith was a force in the paint, picking up three offensive rebounds and scoring off each grab.
Despite the impressive play, CMSV saw their nine point lead shrink, thanks in large part to the Knights knocking down shots in the paint and reaching the free throw line. The visitors took their first lead of the game at the two minute mark, and the two teams entered the locker rooms tied at 27.
Over the first four minutes of play, the Dolphins and Knights battled to a one possession game. Mount Saint Mary went out to take an eight point lead at the 14 minute mark, but the Dolphins' top offensive threats put them right back in the game. Cabezudo and Porcic knocked down big three pointers in back to back possessions, with Tucker converting two free throw attempts just one minute later to regain the lead.
After trading leads, the Dolphins would go on a 10-2 run, highlighted by Tucker scoring six points over that span. The Knights would continue to push back, but a pair of clutch free throws by Cabezudo and an emphatic steal and dunk freshman Jalen Smith in the final minuted iced the game in favor of the Dolphins. CMSV walked away with a 69-63 win, their third against the conference in six games.
Cabezudo and Porcic tied for a team-best 16 points, with Cabezudo dishing out five assists while Porcic knocked down four three point attempts. Tucker ended the afternoon with 15 points on five of 12 shooting to go along with seven boards and a steal.
Smith came off the bench and provided six points and six rebounds in the win. Hod led the way with four steals for the Dolphins.
CMSV now turns their attention to the United States Merchant Marine Academy, with the Skyline quarterfinal rematch from a year ago taking place inside the Sharp Center.
