Boston, MA- The Falcons (2-3) led by as many as eight early on in the first half, but could not hang on as the Fighting Saints (5-3) took it 82-73. College of Saint Joe's will now head to the Championship Game to face UMass-Boston as the Beacons defeated the Curry Colonels in the first game of the tournament 75-51. The Falcons will now face off against the Colonels in the Consolation Game today at 1pm.
The first half was a game of lead changes as each team had their fair share of being on top. The Falcons hit three 3-pointers in a row, including two from Mena Yacoub (Clermont, FL) to give them the 14-6 lead six minutes into the game. The Fighting Saints answered with an 11-1 run of their own to take back the lead 22-19 with seven minutes left on the clock in the first half. Chris Sorapuru (Temecula, CA) answered with his own three-point shot to tie the game back up at 22 a piece. Another 8-0 run from CSJ lifted them to a 37-30 lead heading into halftime.
The Saints looked to close it out early in the second half as they extended their lead to as many 10, but the Falcons had other plans as they clawed their way back into the game and tied it up 61-61, with 10 minutes to go as Malik Tavares (Providence, RI) hit back-to-back three's. Fisher did all they could to take the lead back, but could not make their way in front as the Saints outscored the Falcons 21-12 in the last 10 minutes of play to close it out. Mickalous Snowden (Fitchburg, MA) shot 45% from the floor for 31 points and lead all scorers to help lead CSJ to the win.
Giovanni Thompson (Kissimmee, FL) led the way for the Falcons with 21 points and just one rebound shy of his first career double-double in a Falcon uniform. Brandon Rembert (Camden, NJ), Sorapuru and Tavares also were in double figures for the Falcons in the loss, with Sorapuru earning a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds off the bench.
Fisher will look to finish up the strong in the Paula Titus Memorial Tournament as they take on the Curry College Colonels at 1pm. The game can be followed live at this link:
https://portal.stretchinternet.com/umb/.