Reuben Plays Big At Both Ends To Lead Colts Past Passaic County College, 67-58
EDISON, NJ–On Tuesday night, GMC Hoops returned to the Physical Education Center on the main campus of Middlesex County College to take in the contest between the Blue Colts and Passaic County College. Â Middlesex was looking to build off the momentum gained in its victory over Raritan Valley Community College at home this past Thursday night.
Joining MCC in the lineup on Tuesday was Kearny Canela. Â The former Perth Amboy High School standout, and younger brother of former McCarrick standout, Rolffi Canela didn’t play against Raritan Valley. Â
Middlesex County College got a solid game at both ends of the court from sophomore Myles Reuben while Sean Thomas continued to make big plays at the offensive end. Jeremy Cruz also contributed with a couple big three pointers to help the Colts win. Passaic County Community College made several charges including one early on in the second half, and then a couple in the final five minutes of the game, but weren’t able to take the lead as the Blue Colts won by the final score of 67-58. The Colts got off to a fast start with a 35-26 halftime lead, but began the second half on the wrong foot with a traveling call at the 19:41 mark. Â Passaic County College took advantage by converting the turnover with a layup at the 19:20 mark.
The visitors from North Jersey then added two more scores including a foul line jumper at the 18:11 mark. Â Passaic then got a transition layup at the 17:29 mark to cap the 8-0 run for a 35-34 MCC lead. Â The Colts finally got going offensively with a bank shot at the 17:08 mark for a 37-34 lead, but PCC tied things up at 37-37 with a three from deep on the left wing at the 16:13 mark. Â The score remained deadlocked for the next two minutes until former J.P. Stevens standout, Myles Reuben connected on a jumper for a 39-37 lead at the 14:11 mark.
Reuben’s jumper sparked a 13-4 spurt over the next 3:11. Â The run included a layup at the 13:29 mark, a pair of free throws at the 13:00 mark after a score by PCC, a three at the 12:28 mark, and two more jumpers including one from the right baseline by Cardinal McCarrick alum, Jeremy Cruz for a 50-41 lead. Â Defense also played a key role in the run as Reuben came up with a couple blocks, and did a nice job of keeping Passaic C.C. off the boards. Â The Colts also seemed to settle down after the trapping defense and chatter by the visitors had them rattled for a bit.
After Passaic got a score to draw within seven midway through the second half, Reuben connected on a three from the top of the key at about the 9:00 mark for a 53-43 lead. Â Only two points were scored over the next three minutes or so as Passaic County College pulled within eight on a transition layup before Middlesex C.C. head coach, Chris Tarver called for time with 5:59 remaining in the contest. Â Following the timeout though, the Colts took their biggest lead of the second half when Cruz sank a three from the left corner forcing Passaic to call for time at the 5:42 mark.
Following the stoppage, the North Jersey squad took advantage of Middlesex’s inability to take time off the clock. Â While the Colts were putting up quick shots, Passaic C.C. put together a 6-2 run with some transition baskets to claw within 58-51 with four minutes remaining. Â Middlesex County College got a huge break when Reuben converted a traditional three point play for a 61-51 lead at the 3:31 mark. Â Passaic didn’t give up though with five straight points over the next 1:49 to narrow the deficit to 61-56 with 1:49 to go.
However, Middlesex wouldn’t let Passaic get any closer as the Colts made two free throws for a 63-56 lead, and made another four of six at the charity stripe in the final minute including one by Reuben to wrap up the 67-58 victory.