Glover vs. BMCC
89
BMCC Panthers BMCCM 9-9, 3-3 CUNY
94
Winner Bronx Broncos BRONXM 10-13, 5-2 CUNY
BMCC Panthers BMCCM
9-9, 3-3 CUNY
89
Final
94
Bronx Broncos BRONXM
10-13, 5-2 CUNY
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
BMCC Panthers BMCCM 35 54 89
Bronx Broncos BRONXM 37 57 94

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Fired-up Broncos record crucial CUNYAC victory, defeating BMCC 94-89 Tuesday evening at Alumni Gym

Gallery: (1/29/2020) MBB vs BMCC 1-28-20

The Broncos men's basketball team registered a crucial victory on Tuesday evening, turning back the Panthers of the Borough of Manhattan Community College by a score of 94-89 in CUNYAC action. The contest took place at the Alumni Gym in the Bronx. With the triumph, the Broncos halted their four-game losing skid, improving to a mark of 10-13 on the season, and 5-2 in conference competition. BMCC dropped to 9-9 overall, and 3-3 in CUNYAC action.

With tonight's output, the Broncos avenged the December 10, 2019 loss to BMCC, when the Panthers scored the final nine points of the contest to stun Bronx, 82-81 in lower Manhattan. Bronx's victory puts the Broncos (5-2 CUNYAC) in solid position to solidify one of the top two seeds in February's CUNYAC Community College men's basketball tournament. Hostos appears to have the current inside track on the top overall seed, with an unblemished mark of 5-0 in conference competition, and BMCC and Queensborough are tied for the third and fourth spots in the tournament, each with 3-3 CUNYAC markers. Kingsborough is already eliminated from contention, as the Wave finished 0-8 in conference action.

Leading the way for Bronx this evening in the Broncos victory was Tilquan Rucker, who played incredibly despite battling turf toe. Practically limping at times on the court, Rucker's efficiency, given the circumstances, was almost incomprehensible. The standout sophomore connected on 10 of his 18 shots from the floor, finishing with a game-high 30 points. He also tied for the game-high of four steals, while registering three dimes and snatching three rebounds.

Steven Glover put together arguably his strong performance of the 2019-2020 season. The fan favorite drilled five shots from downtown, and 10 of his 20 attempts from the floor overall, to finalize his evening with 26 points. He also swatted a game-high five shots, while collecting six rebounds and dishing six assists. Malik Hamilton contributed 20 points, eight rebounds, and three assists, and veteran William Paradise contributed a game-high 10 assists.

Despite the loss for the Panthers, BMCC was paced by Terrance McBride. The standout finished with a team-high 24 points, converting on nine of his 18 attempts from the floor. He also recorded a team-best six assists, while snatching four rebounds. Elvys Ceballos finished with 19 points, six rebounds, two steals, and two assists, and Curtis Smith netted 17. Malik Bentinck posted a double-double with 14 points and a game-high 16 rebounds, and Eric Massingale also added a double-double, dropping in 12 points and snatching 11 boards.

Things looked bleak for the Broncos in the early stages of this one, as BMCC raced out to a 21-9 advantage just 9:05 into the contest. Bronx, feeding off the energy of the home crowd, and perhaps understanding the magnitude of the game, responded beautifully, going on a 23-9 run over the ensuing 7:56 to go ahead by a score of 32-30 with 2:59 remaining in the opening session. BMCC's Curtis Smith, and Bronx's Rucker would trade three-point baskets on consecutive possessions, making it 35-33 Broncos. Bronx would eventually take a slim 37-35 edge into the locker room at halftime, as the Broncos faithful gave their team raucous applause as the first half buzzer sounded.

In the second half, the Panthers took back the lead with 13:49 remaining when Ceballos would connect on a three-pointer to make it 51-48 BMCC. Bronx would once again responded, going on an 11-0 run to grab a 59-51 edge. That aforementioned spurt featured a converted trifecta by Glover, a drilled three-point basket by Paradise, a made triple by Hamilton, and a hoop by Rucker.

Over the ensuing 7:53 of the game, the Panthers would cut the Broncos lead to one point on three different occasions, but Bronx was able to stay ahead. The Broncos led 86-80 with 1:45 to go, but stingy BMCC wouldn't quit, eventually slicing Bronx's edge to two points, 88-86, with 37 ticks to go. Bronx later led 92-89 with 19 seconds to go, and the Panthers in possession of the ball. Bronx's Paradise would come up with a huge play, stealing the ball from Ceballos and swing the ball over to Rucker, who would draw a foul with nine seconds to play. That would prove to be the last gasp for BMCC, as the Panthers failed to score for the remainder of the game, as Bronx advanced for the thrilling triumph.

Both teams shot incredibly well from the floor. The Panthers converted on 34 of their 67 attempts (50.7 percent), while the Broncos connected on 47.1 percent of their shot attempts (47.1 percent). The Broncos used a season-high 13 three-point baskets in the victory, while BMCC connected on eight shots from long range. The Panthers held a healthy 45-35 edge in the rebounding department, but the Broncos collected 15 steals compared to just five for the opposition. Both teams moved the ball very well, with Bronx piling 24 dimes, while BMCC recorded 18.

The Broncos will look to take the positive momentum with them to Garden City, NY on Thursday evening, as Bronx will take to the road to face the Lions of Nassau Community College. The Lions have won six consecutive games, and have averaged winning those contests by double digits. Start-time for the game is scheduled for 8:00pm.
 
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