Jean Gilles
85
Winner Passaic County C.C. PASSAIC 5-10
74
Bronx Broncos BRONXM 3-10
Winner
Passaic County C.C. PASSAIC
5-10
85
Final
74
Bronx Broncos BRONXM
3-10
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Passaic County C.C. PASSAIC 44 41 85
Bronx Broncos BRONXM 38 36 74

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Broncos' intense, gritty effort falls short as Passaic holds on for 85-74 victory

The Broncos' men's basketball team closed out calendar year 2023 with a defeat on Thursday evening, falling to the Panthers of Passaic County Community College by a score of 85-74. With the defeat, Bronx dipped to a mark of 3-10 on the 2023-2024 campaign, while the Panthers improved to a mark of 5-10.

Despite the loss for the Broncos, Roshard Jean Gilles posted team-highs of 15 points and eight rebounds. James Wenzel put together a solid all-around performance, scoring 14 points, grabbing four rebounds, registering a game-high three steals, tying for the game-high of three blocks, and adding three assists. Herbert Gary finalized his evening with 11 points, four boards, and three dimes, and Taijay Good scored 10 points and tied for the game-high of eight assists.

In the victory for Passaic, Devinir Garvey put forth a dominating performance, connecting on 14 of his 16 attempts from the floor to finish with a game-high 31 points. His 18 rebounds led all players, and he also dished five assists while tying for the game-high of three blocks. Tyquan Dennis netted 15 points while snatching six rebounds and dishing a pair of assists, and Joseph Mazzola narrowly missed a double-double, as he scored 12 points and snatched nine boards. Finally, it was Najir Barnes and Jaylen McLaurin finishing with seven points apiece.

The Panthers raced out to an early 6-0 edge just 33 seconds into the contest thanks to three-point baskets by Barnes and Garvey. Passaic later led just 12-10 before putting together a 15-4 run to snatch a 27-14 advantage with 10:54 remaining in the first half. That aforementioned spurt was highlighted by Garvey's six points.

After falling behind by 13, the Broncos scored five consecutive points, courtesy of a converted jumper by Damien Sanchez, and a three-point play by Daniel Armstrong. That sliced the visitors' edge to eight points, 27-19. Bronx later trailed by nine (31-22), before a 7-0 run by Passaic gave the Panthers their largest lead of the game up to that point, a 16-point advantage, 38-22.

The pendulum would then swing the Broncos' way, as Bronx finished the final 5:58 of the half on a 16-6 run to close to within six points, 44-38, as the teams retreated to the locker rooms at halftime.

In the second half, Passaic pushed its lead back to 15, snatching a 70-55 edge with just over eight minutes remaining. The Broncos refused to go down quietly, however, outscoring the visitors 14-5 over a span of 3:27 to pull to within six, 75-69, with 4:36 to go. That run featured a pair of trifectas by Wenzel.

Unfortunately for Bronx, the Broncos were only able to convert on two more field goals the rest of the way. Passaic connected on four its seven shot attempts down the stretch, icing the game.

The Panthers were the more efficient team shooting the basketball, as Passaic connected on 37 of 67 shot attempts (55.2 percent), while the Broncos hit on 30 of their 74 attempts (40.5 percent). Passaic dominated on the glass, snatching 50 rebounds compared to 30 for Bronx. Both teams exhibited solid ball movement, with the visitors piling 26 assists, and the Broncos recording 16, and Bronx held a commanding 8-1 edge in the steals category. The Broncos also won the turnover battle, committing just six miscues while forcing 14 Passaic mistakes.

Bronx will now have 15 days off before returning to action on Saturday, January 6, as the Broncos will travel to Queensborough to battle the Tigers in a CUNYAC game. Start-time at Robert F. Kennedy Gymnasium is scheduled for 3:00pm.
Print Friendly Version