Mixed test results

Salem CC men have chance to make a statement, but come up short at region-leading Union; women fought out a win over Delaware Tech

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

CRANFORD – The Salem CC basketball team had a chance to make a real statement in Region XIX and beyond Tuesday night, but just dug too big a hole to escape.

Just hours after receiving some national notoriety, the Mighty Oaks faced the top team in the region. They fell behind by more than 25 points in the second half and although they rallied to close the gap they fell to No. 12 Union College 87-77.

“It was a test and we failed it – D-plus,” Salem coach Mike Green said as the team made its way back to Carneys Point. “I’m (not happy) because that, I believe, was our chance at the GSAC title. It’s pretty much out of reach now.”

The loss, which snapped a six-game winning streak, dropped the Mighty Oaks (15-5 overall, 12-3 in Region XIX and 9-3 in GSAC) two games behind the Owls (15-3/14-1/10-1) in the GSAC. It also dropped them into fourth place in the Region XIX Division III standings.

The Mighty Oaks already have clinched a spot in the region playoffs, and now are playing for the highest seed possible. They still have to play the two other teams directly ahead of them.

Earlier in the day, the Mighty Oaks were included in the JUCO Division III poll for the first time since they brought back the program. While they didn’t break into the top 15, they were listed among the other teams receiving votes. 

Using the way those teams were listed as a guide, the Mighty Oaks would have been No. 18.

“Good to see someone notice the work we have been putting in,” Green said shortly after the poll was released. “We just have to keep our heads down and continue to work. We have big goals.”

The Mighty Oaks were on the way to justifying that consideration, leading their nationally ranked hosts by five eight minutes into the game. But over the next four and a half minutes the Owls went on a 17-1 run to take control of the game. Jeremiah Saint Jean and Kanye Brown combined for 11 of the first 13 points in the run.

Saint James finished with 14 points (all in the first half) and 15 rebounds. Brown had 12 points. Joseph Gargiulo was the Owls’ leading scorer with 20 points, all in the second half.

All five Union starters scored in double figures and were a combined 28-for-41 shooting from the floor. The Owls shot 63 percent from the field as a team in their close-quarters gym.

“Our ballhandlers were really shaky tonight, which destroyed our offense and put too much pressure on our defense” Green said.

The Owls led by 16 at halftime and stretched the margin to 27 midway through the second half. But then it was Salem’s turn to make a run. The Mighty Oaks put together a 26-9 charge to get within 10, 78-68, with 2:07 to play.

But they could never get it closer.

“I had to coach as if it was PlayStation – burn timeouts, draw up counters and rotate players,” Green said. “Our ballhandlers didn’t show up.”

The Mighty Oaks’ offense was led Akeem Taylor (27 points) and Tamir Powell (20), but no one else scored in double figures. They combined for 31 points in the second half. Jyheim Spencer was held to eight points, but grabbed 17 rebounds.

UNION 87, SALEM CC 77
SALEM CC (15-5) – Akeem Taylor 11-21 3-5 27, Tamir Powell 6-15 5-6 20, Tyrese Fortune 4-6 0-1 9, Jyheim Spencer 3-12 2-5 8, A.J. Jones 3-8 1-3 7, Josh Ramos 2-5 0-0 6, Tajee Jordan 0-1 0-0 0, Tivon Woolford 0-4 0-0 0, Dontarius Jones 0-1 0-0 0, Xavier Brewington 0-2 0-0 0, Stefan Phillips 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 35-76 11-20 77.
UNION (15-3) – Jayden Bates 4-9 5-7 16, Nicolas Acosta 5-8 4-8 14, Joseph Gargiulo 8-10 2-2 20, Kanye Brown 4-5 2-2 12, Jeremiah Saint Jean 7-9 0-0 14, David McKnight 4-9 1-2 11, Craig West 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 32-51 14-21. 

Salem CC	29	48-	77
Union	45	42-	87

Salem CC women ‘win ugly’

NEWARK, Del. – Salem CC women’s basketball coach Brian Marsh reached back to the wisdom of one his all-time favorite college coaches to describe his team’s 79-71 win at Delaware Tech.

“(Former Temple coach) John Chaney has a quote that says ‘I’d rather win ugly than lose pretty,’ so that’s how I take it,” Marsh said. “It was a game that tested us, for sure.”

No matter how it looked it was a win nonetheless and a mighty important one. It extended the Mighty Oaks’ winning streak to three as they continue their march to a Region XIX playoff berth, it put them over .500 for the season and it allowed them to match their win total of last year’s revival season with games remaining to play.

Teams .500 or better either in region or overall play make the region tournament. The Mighty Oaks (9-8) have seven games left, meaning they only have to win three of them to make the playoff field. Two of those remaining games are against the top two teams in the region, including the No. 4 team in the country.

“I think they’re starting to understand the magnitude of the games that we’re playing,” Marsh said. “I told them the expectations are higher, so I’m going to expect more out of you, and I think they’re starting to understand what they need to do every day at practice and in games.”

Del Tech didn’t play like a first-year team still looking for its first win. The Spirit were scoring and hitting shots at an unexpected clip in the first half and led the Mighty Oaks 45-40 at the break.

“I just talked to the team and said this is a game we have to win on the road,” Marsh said. “It was more an energy and effort thing again.
 
“They gave us a run for our money. It was a gut check or a pride check. How are we going to handle this one on the road? Are we going to step up? I thought we toughed it out in the second half and came out with the win.”

Nyaijah Jackson led the Mighty Oaks with 21 points and five assists. Maggie St. Clair had 14 points, Pennsville’s Caroline Zullo 12 and Kathryn Laurence 10. 

SALEM CC 79, DELAWARE TECH 71  

Salem CC (9-8)	26	14	21	18-	79
Delaware Tech (0-17)	21	24	19	7-	71