By: Michael L. Damon
mdamon@jjay.cuny.edu
(212) 237-8322
Box Score Box Score
Annadale on Hudson, N.Y.— The John Jay men's basketball team opened its 2011-12 season in winning fashion on Tuesday as the Bloodhounds defeated Bard College 69-58 in upstate New York.
The Bloodhounds, now 1-0, had big scoring games from two seniors, including
Jerome Alexander and
Matt Collins. Alexander, who played the entire game, knocked in a game-high 25 points, while Collins netted 22 as the duo were the only two Bloodhounds to net double figures. Junior
Isaiah Holman chipped in with nine points in the win.
Collins shots the eyes out of the ball as he connected on nine of 12 shots in the game. He registered six steals and grabbed eight rebounds in the win. John Jay was led in rebounding by
Swindon Charles with nine.
The host Raptors had the lead for a large chunk of the first half. But the Bloodhounds closed out the final four minutes on a huge spurt. They outscored Bard 15-2 over the final two hundred and forty seconds of the half to take a game changing 32-21 lead at halftime. Collins's jumper at the buzzer sealed the half ending spurt.
The Bloodhounds maintained a comfortable lead throughout the second half. John Jay led by as much as 13, and never allowed the Raptors to pull to within more than six points of the lead over the final 20 minutes of the half.
John Jay held a 20-18 advantage in points in the paint and 19-11 in points off turnovers.
Bard College was led by Francis Arnold with 14 points, while Frank Stortini had a game-high 13 rebounds for the Raptors.
John Jay's next game will be Friday at 8 p.m. against Farmingdale State in the opening round of the Rams Tip-off Tournament at Farmingdale. The other two teams, Montclair State and SUNY Brockport will tip-off at 6 p.m.
