AURORA, NY - The Cabrini men's basketball team opened its 2019-20 with an impressive wire to wire 95-86 victory over Keuka College on Saturday night at the Wells College Tournament.
Three Cavaliers scored in double-figures, led by sophomore
Voshon Mack, who paired 27 points, on 12-16 shooting, with a game-high 10 rebounds and two blocked shots in just 25 minutes of action.
Senior
Keith Blassingale matched Mack with 27 points, while junior
DJ Smith added 17 points.
Mack's dunk on the season's first possession sparked the Blue and White on a 13-0 run to open the a game. Despite watching Keuka pull within three points midway through the opening stanza, Blassingale's lay-up extended Cabrini's lead to 38-23 with just under six minutes to play in the first half.,
The Wolves clawed back into the game, scoring the final five points of the first half, cutting Cabrini's lead to 47-39 at the break.
Cabrini regained its footing in the opening minutes of the second half, as a pair of free throws by junior
Justin Gans pushed the Cavaliers' lead to a game-high 18 points with 13:13 to play.
Keuka would not go away, as the Wolves used a quick 7-0 spurt to cut its deficit to 79-73 with 6:45 to play. Minutes later, James Barnes' free throws further cut the Blue and Whit advantage to just 85-83 with 3:35 on the clock.
Cabrini then turned to its defense to secure the win. Over the game's final minutes, the Blue and White held Keuka to 1-4 from the field and four turnovers, holding the Wolves scoreless over the game's final 2:40.
The Cavaliers shot .574 from the field, including .429 from three point range and committed just 14 turnovers in the season-opening victory. The Blue and White also held the Wolves to .447 shooting from the floor, including just 5-29 from three point range.
Barnes led the Wolves (0-1) with 29 points, while Elijah Smalls paired 10 points and nine boards. Devin Milton added 14 points off the bench.
The Cavaliers have little time to enjoy the win, as they will face the tournament host Express (0-1) on Sunday at 3pm.
