Men's College Basketball Postseason Tournament Final Score:
NJCAA Region XIX Division II Postseason Tournament Semifinals
at Randolph, New Jersey
Manor College 87 (19-8), Raritan Valley Community College 73 (18-9)
MANOR COLLEGE ADVANCES TO FIRST EVER NJCAA REGION XIX DII CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
RANDOLPH, NJ, Manor College guard Thomas Farrior Jr. (Willingboro, NJ/Willingboro) scored 25 points and freshman guard Callil Moutrie (Philadelphia, PA/Friere Charter) added 18 points and seven assists as the Blue Jays (19-8) defeated Raritan Valley Community College, 87-73, in the NJCAA Region XIX Division II Men's Postseason Tournament Semifinals at the County College of Morris in Randolph, New Jersey. This is the first time Manor College men?s basketball team will play in the Region XIX Division II Championship Game since joining the NJCAA for the 2008-2009 season.
The Blue Jays took the lead good, 15-14 with 12:57 left in the first half on one of Farrior Jr.'s five three-point baskets. Manor expanded its lead to 12 (33-21) with 5:52 left on another Farrior, Jr. three-pointer. However, the Golden Lions went on a 12-4 run closed the gap to four, 37-33, on freshman forward Jawan Robinson?s layup. The Blue Jays responded with three-point baskets by freshman guard Robby Pierre (Irvington, NJ/Union Catholic) and Moultrie as Manor led at the half, 43-35.
Raritan Valley got within three twice (43-40 and 46-43) early in the second half, but, Manor responded both times. The Blue Jays went on 12-4 run that was capped off by a sophomore center William Davis (Philadelphia, PA/George Washington) layup and expanded the lead again to 12 in the middle of the second half (58-46). Golden Lions, freshman guard Logan Santiago three-pointer on the ensuing possession got them to nine points down (58-49) with about 14 minutes left. Sophomore guard James Richardson's layup with under 12 minutes left closed the gap again to nine (60-51) and that was the closest they got to the Blue Jays. Farrior Jr.'s three-pointer on the next possession increased Manor's lead to 12 (63-51) and another one with under four minutes left gave the Blue Jays its largest lead of the game (75-59). Moultrie scored 15 of his 18 points in the second half. Altogether, Manor made a season-high 12 three-point baskets.
Davis registered a "double-double" with 15 points and 12 rebounds and Pierre contributed 14 points, six rebounds, and four assists for the Blue Jays. Rarity Valley's Richardson led both teams with 31 points.
The Manor College played in the EPCC Championship Game on February 10, 2008 and lost to the Community College of Philadelphia, 79-65. It was Manor's final season as an EPCC member.
Manor College will play the semifinal winner of the Essex County College (24-4)/Lackawanna College (16-14) in the championship 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 5 at the County College of Morris. The winner will advance to the NJCAA District Tournament.