The Elm Student Newspaper

Volume 72, Issue 14

January 19, 2001

Men's basketball on rebound

Stephanie Fowler

The Shoremen started the New Year with an
81-76 victory over the College of
Misericordia.
Photograph by Ryan Murray, Elm photographer.

The Christmas break was full of hoops action for the men's basketball squad. They jump-started their overall record to 6-7 in the New Year by defeating several non-conference teams.

Unfortunately, the key match-ups with conference teams did not turn out well for the Shoremen as they continue onward with a current record of 0-4 in Centennial Conference play.

December was a key month for the Shoremen. In the December 7 game against St. Mary's College hosted by WC, senior guard Greg Adams led the team with 30 points. This high scoring game saw many shooters hit double digits.

Senior captain Earl Piner scored 18 points and dished out six assists while teammate Alhamisi Simms tallied 20 points. Despite these efforts, Washington lost the match 109-95.

Two days later, WC was back on their home court, facing the Bisons of Gallaudet University. The Shoremen shooters were right on target as four men racked up double figures. Adams led the team with 15 points, but Simms was on his heels with 14 points and eight rebounds. The captains would not be outdone; senior Antoine Bellin put up 12 points while Piner dropped 10 points and snagged nine boards. The WC bench showed a strong court presence as well as they outscored the Gallaudet bench 32-15.

In the first seven minutes of the game, Gallaudet was down by 17 points and never fully regained the lost ground. Washington held as large a lead as 30 points during the second half of the game. The final result was a Washington victory, 77-55.

The Shoremen had one more game to play to finish out the fall semester.

On December 16th, they took on FDU-Madison in Madison, New Jersey. Washington shooters set the orange rims on fire; they kept a cushioned lead over their opponent and four team members scored at least 10 points.

The Shoremen came out fighting, taking over the game to lead at half time 45-30. Early in the second half, Washington pushed their lead to 21 points. FDU-Madison was far from finished as they were able to cut the lead to nine points, but they were unable to defeat the Shoremen.

Adams had another 30-point game; he also shot 8-for-14 from the field and went 9-9 from the foul line. Piner added 18 points and eight rebounds.

Simms tacked on 11 points in only 27 minutes played. Bellin worked for 10 points and pulled down eight rebounds as the Shoremen shutdown FDU-Madison 88-79.

The first game of the New Year held promise. WC traveled to Stevenson, Maryland to take on the College of Misericordia in the first round of the Legg Mason Winter Classic at Villa Julie College.

Simms was the shining star of the game as his three pointer at the 3:14 mark of the first half helped put Washington in front of the Cougars by 15 points. The Shoremen came out strong and held the lead into half time, 48-30.

In the second half, the College of Misericordia came back with a vengeance, reducing their deficit by sinking back-to-back three pointers. In the final three minutes of the game, the Cougars were only down one single point.

The game was won on the free throw line; Simms sunk four free throws in the final moments of the game to give the Shoremen the 81-76 victory.

Simms finished that game with 24 points and a team high of eight rebounds.

Teammates Piner and Adams scored 21 and 19 points, respectively. Adams also had four assists.

The following day the Shoremen faced host Villa Julie. This was a tough and close game for the squad as the game had six ties and 15 lead changes.

Washington and Villa Julie each shot 48 from the field n the first half, but the Mustangs were able to hold on to the lead going into the second half, 40-35. Coming back onto the court, Villa Julie pulled away hitting three pointers and extending their lead to 62-48.

The Shoremen offense came back in a serious shooting frenzy. Junior Don Brandenberg emerged as a sure shot for Washington, hitting a crucial three pointer in the last few minutes of the game. Six field goals made by the team also contributed to the comeback. WC was also able to take advantage of a mistake. A Villa Julie team member called a time out, but the Mustang squad had none left. Piner shot the technical and tied the game at 72 a piece with only thirty seconds remaining in regulation.

The game went into overtime, but WC took the lead immediately. The team shot a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line. In the tense championship game, the Shoremen had an amazing victory over the host team, 85-82.

Adams had 35 points and was named the Tournament Most Valuable Player while Simms was voted to the All-Tournament Team. Simms scored 11 points in the championship victory and led all rebounders with 14 points. Brandenberg finished with 12 points in the win.

Trying to hold onto their streak, the Shoremen took on Centennial Conference foe, Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland. Washington fought hard early in the game, making all the right moves. At half time, they lead 26-24 despite a 27% shooting average from the field.

The Shoremen lead most of the game but started getting into foul trouble as the game progressed. The Jays took advantage of those fouls and scored several points on free throws. Hopkins, helped by officials, walked to the free throw line 25 times in the questionable second half. WC only hit the line 16 times during the entire game. The Jays were able to tie the game with 3:30 left in regulation.

Adams led the Washington with 16 points and right behind him was Simms who chipped in 15 points. Piner snagged ten rebounds in the unfortunate 66-58 loss.

Another Centennial Conference match-up would prove unfruitful for the Shoremen. On Saturday, Washington went to Collegeville, Pennsylvania to face off with the Bears of Ursinus College. The Shoremen came out firing, leading the game 40-37 at the half on 42% shooting. Ursinus took the lead in the second half and extended their lead; the Bears took the win 86-71.

Adams netted 23 points and led the Shoremen. Piner tallied 17 points and snagged 12 rebounds.

Scores from the Wednesday night match-up with Muhlenburg were not available at the time of print. The Shoremen take on conference foe Haverford College, tomorrow, on the road at 3 p.m.

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