LAKEWOOD, NJ—Two days before Thanksgiving, Holy Family University of Philadelphia traveled over to the GCU Wellness Center on Band Night to take on the Lions of Georgian Court University in an early season Central Collegiate Athletic Conference clash. Former J.P. Stevens standout Marvin Crawford was among five different players scoring in double figures for Holy Family with 10 points while also collecting 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal as the Tigers turned a 31-17 first half deficit into a 40-38 halftime lead and eventually a 14 point second half advantage en route to the 84-70 victory.
Former Perth Amboy and Bound Brook standout Hamilton Capellan came off the bench to score all eight of his points for GCU including two threes while teammate and former Amboy, McCarrick, and Bound Brook standout, J.D. Rodriguez fired in two threes for 6 points. Woodbridge’s Keith Hughes struggled offensively, but still collected 9 rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal. Holy Family improved to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in the CACC with the win while GCU dropped its third straight, fell to 2-4 overall, and 0-2 in the conference. Below are game notes from the action:
First Half
20:00–At Georgian Court University to see the Lions take on CACC rival, Holy Family University of Philadelphia. Former J.P. Stevens standout, Marvin Crawford is playing for the Tigers of Holy Family. Keith Hughes, Claude Payne, J.D. Rodriguez, and Hamilton Capellan play for GCU.
11:04 to go in first half and Holy Family calls timeout after this three by GCU’s Juwuan Carter for a 19-13 lead. Carter has 13 Pts including 3 treys.
9:30—GCU clings to a 22-16 lead after both teams exchange three pointers. Lions point guard Michael Pierre nets trey for six point lead.
6:50–Holy Family calls timeout after this breakaway dunk by Jordan Wejnart of GCU to cap a 12-1 year for a 31-17 lead.
1:23 left in first half and Rider transfer Derrick Stewart nets a trey to pull Holy Family within two at 36-34. Tigers on a 17-5
0:00–Holy Family finishes the half on a 23-7 surge including two FTs by Shippensburg transfer Reggie Charles for a 40-38 lead over GCU at half. GCU connected on 7 of 12 from long distance in the first half. Holy Family also made 7 of 18 treys. The Tigers also took advantage at the foul line by going 13 of 17 while Georgian Court went 11 of 15. Holy Family went 10 of 25 from the floor while GCU went only 10 of 29 from the field.
Second Half
16:18 left in the game and GCU calls timeout after a shot attempt from the left side of the key by Marvin Crawford. Holy Family opens the half with a 9-4 run for a 49-42 lead.
13:09 to play and J.D. Rodriguez fires in a three to help GCU pull within six at 57-51. Lions on a 9-2 run
12:56—Chris Polanco fires in a trey to pull GCU within three at 57-54. Lions now on a 12-2 run.
9:18 left and Holy Family leads 65-57. Things getting chippy. Tigers have scored 8 of the last 14 points. GCU has been assessed two technicals in the game.
8:30 to play and the Tigers go up by double digits on a three from former Colts Neck standout, Hunter Wysocki.
7:57 remaining and GCU calls a full timeout with Holy Family up 70-59 thanks in part to a three from the left wing.
3:45 left and GCU calls a full timeout after a layup by Jordan Wejnart to close the gap to 75-64.
1:00–About a minute left and Holy Family leads 79-67 following a layup by Juwuan Carter.
0:00–Despite a late three by Perth Amboy and Bound Brook standout Hamilton Capellan, Holy Family wins 84-70. The Tigers finish the game on a 27-16 surge over the last 12 minutes. Holy Family finished the game going 22 of 49 from the floor including 13 of 32 from beyond the arc while making 27 of 40 from the charity stripe. Georgian Court only went 20 of 51 from the floor, but made another 4 of 7 shots from three point range to go 11 of 19 from long range. The Lions also finished 19 of 29 from the foul line.