Men's Basketball
February 16, 2008
DOLPHINS DROP HAWKS IN OVERTIME, 86-84, BEHIND CAREER-HIGH FROM HOLMES
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Jason Holmes and Laurence Ekperigin combined for 58 points as the Le Moyne College men's basketball team used a second-half surge to knock off St. Anselm College, 86-84, in Northeast-10 Conference overtime action at Ted Grant Court. Holmes netted a career-high 33 points for the Dolphins (13-12, 11-9 NE-10) and Chris Vetrano scored 26 points on the strength of eight-three pointers for the Hawks (11-13, 9-11 NE-10).
The Dolphins struggled to find an early offensive rhythm, shooting 27.3% (3-for-11) from beyond the arc and falling behind by as many as nine points. Holmes carried Le Moyne's offensive punch in the first 20 minutes, pouring in 16 on the strength of three jumpers from long range.
Le Moyne caught fire from the field in the second half, knocking down 61.5% (16-for-26) of its shots. Holmes maintained his shooter's touch after the break with 14 second-half points and Ekperigin emerged as a force in the low post with 21 points in the second half. The Dolphins forced overtime, outscoring the Hawks, 46-39, in the second 20 minutes. St. Anselm hung around thanks to five second-half trifectas from Vetrano.
The teams traded baskets in overtime and the Dolphins claimed the lead for good on a Dan Cromwell free-throw with 2:04 left. It was the senior's defense, though, that preserved the win for Le Moyne. The senior swatted a jumper with 0.6 seconds remaining, his fourth rejection of the game, to secure the victory.
Holmes collected three steals and three assists in addition to his career-high in points. Ekperigin finished with 25 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks for his tenth double-double of the season. Jonathan Joshua was the only other Dolphin to tally double-figures, scoring 13 points and pulling down four boards.
Cromwell was a strong defensive presence, changing an array of shots and pulling down 10 rebounds in addition to his four blocks. Damani Corbin and Mark Covin dished out nine and three assists, respectively.
Saturday's win marked the final regular season home game for Covin, Cromwell, Holmes, Joshua and Matt Vassil. Le Moyne could host first-round playoff action depending on the shakeout of the Northeast-10 Conference regular season.
