LA PLUME, PA – The Cabrini men's basketball team pushed its current win streak to five games tonight, as it scored a 92-72 victory at Keystone College.
With the win, the Cavaliers improve to 19-3 overall and 13-2 in the Colonial States Athletic Conference. With three conference games left on the schedule, the Blue and White hold a two game advantage over Gwynedd Mercy in the win column.
Cabrini displayed a balanced attack as it won its 14th game in its last 15 outings, as four Cavaliers scored in double figures.
Junior
Anthony Wright-Downing and senior
Tyheim Monroe led all scorers with 22 points. Wright-Downing shot 8-10 from the field and grabbed a career high 10 boards for his first career double-double, while Monroe added nine rebounds and three steals.
Fellow senior
Deryl Bagwell paired 13 points, 16 rebounds, six assists and five blocked shots, as sophomore
Keith Blassingale chipped in with 16 points and six rebounds.
After trailing 6-3 in the game's opening minutes, the Cavaliers took control of the action with a 15-2 lead. Back to back three pointers by Monroe and Blassingale gave Cabrini an 18-8 lead less than five minutes into the game.
Despite shooting just over .370 from the field in the first half, the Giants kept the game close until the 6:17 mark.
Leading 36-31, the Blue and White ran off a 13-0 run over the next three minutes. The duo of Wright-Downing and Monroe scored all 13 points, as Wright-Downing's fast break lay-up put the Cavaliers ahead 49-31 with 3:04 left before the break.
Cabrini carried a comfortable 57-42 lead into the half after shooting .585 from the field.
A re-energized Giants club emerged from the locker room, as Keystone opened the stanza on a 19-6 run, cutting Cabrini's lead to 63-61 on Austin Smith's triple at the 13:02 mark.
The Cavaliers responded with five consecutive points to extend its lead back to seven points.
Minutes later, Keystone's JT Bennett drained three free throws to pull the Giants within 70-66, but they would get no closer.
Once again the Blue and White had an answer. The Cavaliers responded with a stifling defensive effort, as Keystone managed just six points over the game's final nine minutes. On the other side of the floor, Cabrini continued its offensive rhythm, scoring 18 of the game's next 21 points.
Despite closing the game on a high note, the Cavaliers shot just 11-34 in the second half, including 3-11 from the three point line.
Bennett led Keystone (9-12, , 7-7 CSAC) with 15 points, while Mark Perry added 10 points and 10 boards.
The Cavaliers will return to Nerney Field House on Saturday, as they host Rosemont College (14-8, 9-6 CSAC). Tip is slated for 3pm.