Oaks cut down in OT

Salem CC men hit the road for first time this season, lose six-point lead late in regulation, then the game in overtime; updated with full box score

By Riverview Sports News

BLACKWOOD – The Salem CC men’s basketball team hit the road for the first time this season Tuesday night and did a lot of things right, but in the end lost to Camden County College 102-93 in overtime to end a four-game winning streak.

On the positive side, the Mighty Oaks (6-2) had one of their better shooting nights of the season – both from the field and behind the arc – had a six-point lead in the final 1:30 of regulation and had the shot they wanted at the end.

But in the end, they didn’t follow the game plan in overtime and missed too many free throws in crucial situations.

“I think we handled it fairly well, except for when we didn’t,” Oaks coach Mike Green said. “The guys shot it better, the ball moved some. I think had too big of a lapse when it’s time to win the game.”

The Oaks shot 30-of-72 from the floor and were a season-best 13-of-28 from 3-point range. They were 20-of-29 from the free throw line.

They placed four scorers in double figures. Xavier Brewington continued his hot streak, scoring a career-high 22 points along with seven rebounds and seven assists. He was 8-of-12 from the floor, 4-of-8 from 3-point range. The freshman from Dover is averaging 18.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists over his last four games.. 

“Some other guys played well (too),” Green said, “but he’s pushing us in the right direction. He’s playing really good basketball right now.”

Tyrese Fortune had 16 points, Niame Scott 14 and Stefan Phillips 11. Josh Ramos had nine – all from 3-point range. Phillips was 7-of-8 from the free throw line and is now 21-of-23 there for the season. Fortune had eight rebounds and Phillips had six.

The game was tied at 87 with nine seconds left in regulation. Scott had a layup at the buzzer to win it, but the shot didn’t fall. In overtime it was all Camden (5-2).

“We didn’t follow the scouting report,” Green said. “The scouting report is simple for those guys. We didn’t follow it all game and it came back to bite us in the butt.”

The Oaks don’t play again until they visit Thaddeius Stevens on Dec. 3. After playing eight games in 17 days, Green is giving the players off from basketball through the weekend so they can focus on academics.

Camden CC 102, Salem CC 93 (OT)

SALEM CC (6-2) – Xavier Brewington 8-12 2-4 22, Tyrese Fortune 6-15 2-3 16, Niame Scott 4-10 4-6 14, Stefan Phillips 2-3 7-8 11, Josh Ramos 3-8 0-2 9, A.J. Jones 3-6 1-2 8, Tyrone Tolson 3-7 0-0 7, Rodney Shelton 1-7 2-2 6, Shyheed Taylor 0-1 2-2 2, Tivon Woolford 0-1 0-0 0, Julien Jones 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 30-72 20-29 93.
CAMDEN CC (5-2) – Tyson Shaw 4-10 5-8 13, Demere Hollingsworth 7-11 3-4 19, Mikey Campbell 7-12 0-0 14, Elijah Hightower 11-16 3-4 25, Jacquez Williams 3-5 3-3 11, Christian Barksdale 1-1 0-0 2, Noah Allen 2-3 0-0 4, Charlie LeBarre 0-0 0-0 0, Davit Geleshvilli 2-4 0-0 4, Cam Rembert 4-4 0-0 8, Titus Blalock 0-4 2-3 3, Matt Dicristo 0-3 0-0 0. Totals 41-73 16-22 102.

Salem CC	46	41	6-	93
Camden CC	41	46	15-	102

3-point goals: Salem CC 13-28 (Brewington 4-8, Fortune 2-2, Scott 2-4, Ramos 3-8, A. Jones 1-2, Tolson 1-2, Woolford 0-1, J. Jones 0-1); Camden CC 4-12 (Hollingsworth 2-5, Williams 2-2, Gelashvilli 0-1, Blalock 0-4). Rebounds: Salem CC 32 (Brewington 7, Fortune 8); Camden CC 35 (Hollingsworth 8, Hightower 6. Technical fouls: Hightower. Fouled out: Fortune. Total fouls: Salem CC 16, Camden CC 23.