STANDISH, Maine – Saint Joseph's College (2-0) defeated Husson University (0-2), 108-98, in a non-conference men's basketball contest on Mike McDevitt Court at the Harold Alfond Center on Wednesday evening.
Junior Silvano Ismail (Portland, Maine) led six Monks in double figures with 24 points, while sophomore Davis Mann (Falmouth, Maine) added 20 points.
With the victory, Saint Joseph's retains possession of the Alumni Cup, which is presented annually to the winner of the Husson - St. Joe's matchup, for the third consecutive season. The Monks are now 6–3 in the rivalry series since the Alumni Cup was introduced during the 2017–18 season.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Saint Joseph's opened with an 8-1 lead and, after Husson tied the game at 8-8, used a 19-6 surge to build a 27-14 advantage. The Eagles battled back to tie the contest, 37-37, with four minutes left in the half, but the Monks regained control. Senior Kolbyn Dunphe (Westbrook, Maine) scored eight points over the final 1:53, including two three-pointers, to send Saint Joseph's into halftime ahead, 51-44.
The Monks maintained their advantage early in the second half before creating separation with a 15-4 run. Ismail supplied five points during the stretch, while freshman Marcel Rose (Rochester, N.H.) and senior NeAri Vasquez each connected from beyond the arc to push the lead to 80-65 with 11:14 remaining.
After Husson pulled within 82-72, Saint Joseph's answered with an 11-2 run capped by two Ismail free throws to establish its largest lead, 93-74, with 7:17 left. The Eagles trimmed the deficit to 10 in the closing minutes, but the Monks maintained a double-digit cushion the rest of the way. Husson never led.
NOTEWORTHY:
Fouls and free throws disrupted the flow throughout Wednesday's contest. The in-state rivals combined for 72 free-throw attempts, the most in a Saint Joseph's game since at least 2000. The teams also committed 53 fouls, the most in an SJC contest since the Monks and Thomas College combined for 56 on December 4, 2004.
STATS OF THE GAME:
Saint Joseph's combined efficient shooting with a strong effort on the offensive glass, shooting 50.0% from the field and turning 20 offensive rebounds into 21 second-chance points. The Monks also connected on 12 three-pointers at a 42.9% clip, while Ismail and senior Remijo Wani (Portland, Maine) combined to go 15-for-15 from the free-throw line.
TEAM STATS:
Saint Joseph's held advantages in rebounds (44-33), assists (23-17), points in the paint (44-38), bench points (34-28), and second-chance points (21-16). Husson finished with edges in steals (11-7) and points off turnovers (22-18).
The Monks shot 50.0% (34-68) from the floor, 42.9% (12-28) from three-point range, and 75.7% (28-37) from the free-throw line. The Eagles shot 47.8% (32-67) overall, 40.9% (9-22) from beyond the arc, and 71.4% (25-35) at the stripe.
LEADERS – SAINT JOSEPH'S:
- Ismail tallied 24 points, six rebounds, four assists, and two steals while shooting 7-for-12 from the field and 9-for-9 from the free-throw line.
- Mann scored 20 points on 6-for-8 shooting, including a perfect 3-for-3 effort from three-point range, and added five rebounds.
- Wani contributed 16 points and three rebounds and converted all six free-throw attempts.
- Sophomore Yusuf Dakane (Lewiston, Maine) recorded 10 points, seven rebounds, and a game-high seven assists.
- Rose added 10 points, three rebounds, and a steal.
- Dunphe finished with 10 points, including two three-pointers.
- Senior Derek Salvatore (Johnston, R.I.) collected a game-high 12 rebounds and added seven points and five assists.
LEADERS – HUSSON:
- Andre McCauley scored a game-high 32 points with eight rebounds, five assists, and five steals.
- Derrick Carroll contributed 17 points on 5-for-7 shooting, including three three-pointers.
- Tope Alao added 16 points, three rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
- Dylan Burpee finished with 12 points, four rebounds, and three assists.
- Amir Morton chipped in nine points, three rebounds, and two assists.
HISTORICALLY SPEAKING:
Saint Joseph's is now 42-54 all-time against Husson. The Monks have won the last three meetings between the programs.
NEXT!
Saint Joseph's travels to Hartford, Conn., to face No. 11 Trinity College on Monday, November 16, at 7:00 PM.
