By Steven M. Glassman
Director of Sports Information
February 29, 2020
BRACHBURG, NJ—Raritan Valley Community College (13-15 overall) sophomore guard Rick'Keem Mixson led both teams with 28 points and six assists as the third-seeded Lions defeated the third-seeded Manor College Blue Jays (12-14), 75-66, in the NJCAA Region XIX Division II Postseason Tournament Semifinals at Raritan Valley.
Raritan Valley led at halftime, 38-34. Mixson paced both teams with 13 points. Freshman forward Malachi Gayton scored 12 for the Lions. Sophomore forward/center Robert Tucker (Philadelphia, PA/Paul Robeson) led the Blue Jays with 12 points. Raritan Valley outscored Manor, 37-32, in the second half. Mixson led both teams with 15 points.
The Lions advanced to the Championship Game and will play the top-seeded Essex County College Lions (18-6) 3:00 p.m. Sunday, March 1 at Raritan Valley. The Lions defeated the fourth-seeded County College of Morris Titans (10-13), 99-79, in the semifinals.
Individual Statistical Leaders: Tucker led Manor with 19 points and 15 rebounds. Sophomore guards Jewel Funchess (Philadelphia, PA/Olney) and Anthony Rodriguez (Philadelphia, PA/Frankford) scored 12 points each. Rodriguez paced the Blue Jays with five assists.
Mixson also paced Raritan Valley with 11 rebounds. Gayton scored 15 for the Lions and freshman guard Robert Terry led both benches 11 points.
Manor 2019-2020 Single-Game Scoring Leaders (including ties): Tucker (14); freshman forward/center Kureese Rodgers and Rodriguez (3 each); sophomore guard/forward Yochua Diaz (Philadelphia, PA/Dobbins) (2); and sophomore forward Manuel Alvarez (Reading, PA/Governor Mifflin) and Funchess (1 each).
Manor 2019-2020 Single-Game Rebounding Leaders (including ties): Tucker (15); Rodgers and freshman guard Jeremiah Staten (Chicago, IL/Hillcrest) (3 each); and Alvarez, sophomore guard/forward Taleek Anderson (Philadelphia, PA/Frankford), Diaz, Funchess, and Rodriguez (1 each).
Manor 2019-2020 Double-Figure Scoring Leaders: Tucker (21); Anderson (13); Funchess (11), Rodriguez (10), Rodgers (9); Diaz and sophomore guard DaShawn Hockaday (Philadelphia, PA/Dobbins) (6 each); Staten (4); Alvarez (3) and freshman guard Malik Clark (Philadelphia, PA/Boys' Latin) (1).
Manor 2019-2020 Double-Figure Rebounding Leaders: Tucker (16); Anderson and Funchess (2 each); and Rodriguez (1).
Manor 2019-2020 "Double-Double" (Points and Rebounds) Leaders: Tucker (16); Anderson (2); and Rodriguez (1).
Please note that some of these statistical leaders do not include one game (November 1, 2019).
Ellerbee Makes Manor History: Blue Jays second-year Head Coach Dave Ellerbee became the first in school history to coach a Men's and Women's Basketball in the Region XIX Division II Postseason Tournament. Ellerbee coached the Women's Basketball in the 2017 and 2018 Postseason Tournaments.
Scoring 69 or Fewer Points: Manor finished the season 2-7 overall (2-7 on the road and at neutral sites) when scoring 69 or fewer points.
Trailing at Halftime: The Blue Jays finished the season 5-13 overall (5-8 on the road and at neutral sites) when trailing at halftime this season.
Manor in the Region XIX Division II Postseason Tournament: Blue Jays are 3-6 overall (1-2 at home, 1-1 on the road, and 1-3 at neutral sites) in the Region XIX Division II Postseason Tournament. Manor has lost four straight Postseason Tournament games. This was their highest Postseason Tournament finish since 2016 when they reached the Championship Game.
Season Series: The Blue Jays are 12-15 overall (1-2 at neutral sites) versus the Lions. This includes a 1-3 overall (1-1 at neutral sites) Region XIX Division II Postseason Tournament record versus Raritan Valley.