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New Jersey City University
swingman Mark Washington scored a game-high 25 points to earn NJAC Most
Valuable Player honors in his own arena, as the New Jersey Athletic
Conference senior men cruised to a 159-112 victory over the Skyline
Conference senior men in the 2006 NJAC-Skyline Men’s Basketball Senior
game hosted by New Jersey City University on March 22.
It was the first-ever season ending senior challenge between the NJAC and
Skyline conferences. The NJAC is now 5-1 all-time in senior men’s games,
after winning 4-of-5 in the previous series with the City University of
New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC).
The 159 total points scored in the four 12-minute quarter contest, crushed
the old senior game record of 124 by the NJAC in 2003 and 2005.
Maritime College's Robert Benton
was named the Skyline’s Most Valuable Player after notching a
double-double of 14 points (6-9 FG) and 10 rebounds.
Washington helped the NJAC surge to a 22-4 lead in the first 4:44 of the
game, as he scored eight of the league’s first 14 points. The NJAC never
trailed, and led by as many as 50 points on a Washington dunk with six
seconds remaining.
Washington finished shooting 11-of-18, and added team highs of seven
rebounds and five steals in 18 minutes. Overall for the NJAC, all 16
players scored, and eight registered double figures.
Rutgers-Newark guard Justin Carter had the game’s second highest point
total with 17 (6-14 FG) and three assists. Montclair State University
forward Gian Paul Gonzalez, the NJAC Player of the Year, finished with 13
points (5-6 FG) and five rebounds.
Also for the NJAC, NJCU forward Ben Balcom scored 12 (5-9) and William
Paterson University guard Mario Rivero added a dozen (5-7). The NJAC
seniors received 10 points apiece from Ramapo College guard Quameir
Harding, Richard Stockton College guard Chris Jones, and Stockton forward
Tobias Smith. Kean University forward Armet Coles contributed a game-best
six assists, adding eight points and five steals.
Benton led the Skyline seniors with 14 points in 22 minutes,
while College of Mount Saint Vincent guard James Mooney
also recorded a double-double with 12 points (6-14 FG) and 11
rebounds, adding four assists.
In all, each of the 12 Skyline players scored at least four points, and
six reached double digits. Two-time Skyline Player of the Year Kenny
McMillan of Farmingdale
State University added 13 points and nine rebounds, Maritime’s Gerard
Danzy finished with 12
points and six rebounds.
The Skyline received 10 points apiece from FSU guard Dashawn Warren
and Mount Saint Mary College guard Brandon Weldon.
Manhattanville College center Jerry Fiefie
was near a double-double with nine points and eight boards.
In an offensive lover’s dream, the two conferences unleashed a combined
236 shots and 76 three-pointers. The NJAC shot 55.8 percent for the game
(67-120), including 31-of-52 (59.6%) in the first half while building a
78-45 halftime lead. The NJAC also made 37.1 percent from three-point land
(13-35), and had a 48-20 edge off of 40 Skyline turnovers. The NJAC
outscored the Skyline in the paint (92-60), on fast-breaks (38-18), and
from the bench (86-60).
The Skyline seniors shot 39.7 percent overall (46-116) and 22.0 percent
from three-point territory (9-41). The league improved in the second
period, shooting 42.2 percent (27-64). The Skyline seniors made most of
their free throws (11-14, 78.6%) and outrebounded the NJAC, 72-58,
capped by a 35-21 margin in the offensive boards.
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