EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ–On Thursday night, GMC Hoops kicked off its Red Division Doubleheader with a trip to the newly renovated Bear’s Den at East Brunswick High School to see the sixth ranked Bears in action against second ranked South Brunswick.
The Vikings had leads of 11-6, 21-13, and 29-19, but each time, EB came back including an 18-3 tear capped by a Matt Ross three to finish off the first half with a 37-32 lead. The Bears then opened the second half on a 22-6 surge for a 59-36 third quarter lead. After that, South Brunswick didn’t get closer than 11 points the rest of the way as EB won, 81-68.
Ross led the Bears with 32 points while Mike Vick and Mike Brizuela added 11 and Justin Sewnarine chipped in with 10. Eric Savage led SBHS in a losing cause with 24 points while Mike Ugarte added 16 and Jaier Garrett chipped in with 14. Below are game notes from the action:
First Quarter
4:19–Arrive with SB leading EB, 8-6.
4:00–SB–Eric Savage fires in a three from the right wing for an 11-6 lead.
2:00–EB–claws back into the contest with a 7-3 run including a score by Matt Ross.
0:00–At East Brunswick where 6th ranked EB is taking on 2nd ranked South Brunswick. After one, SB leads 20-16 after a steal for a dunk by Eric Savage. Vikings score 6 of the last 9 points of the period.
Second Quarter
3:40 left in the first half and EB pulls within one at 32-31 after a three and layin by Justin Sewnarine. South Brunswick led 11-6 midway thru first, 20-13 late in first and 29-19 with 6:00 to play in first half. Each time EB has clawed back into it.
2:12 left in the first half and EB has been on a 13-3 tear to take a 34-32 lead after a trey from the left side by Justin Sewnarine
0:00–Game has gone to the half with EB leading 37-32. Bears end half on an 18-3 tear.EB’s Matt Ross capped the Bears tear with this trey in the final half minute of the half. East Brunswick’s first half scoring: Matt Ross leads all scorers with a game high 17 points while Justin Sewnarine scored all 8 of his points in the 2nd. South Brunswick’s first half scoring: Eric Savage and Jaier Garrett lead the Vikings with 8 while Isaiah Franklin and Ryan Moran chipped in with 6.
Third Quarter
5:34 left in the third quarter and EB now leads SB, 42-34 after a three by Mike Brizuela and a steal for a one handed dunk by Mike Vick.
5:04 left in the third and SB calls time after a three puts Bears up 45-34.
2:42 and SB calls timeout with a 54-36 lead after this score by Mike Vick.
2:00–EB goes up 59-36 after a three from the left corner by Ezra Levitt.
1:47–SB–Mike Ugarte fires in a three to put an end to a 22-4 surge by EB to open up 2nd half.
0:00–End of the third and EB leads SB, 62-44. EB’s Mike Brizuela buries a three from the right wing to end an 8-0 Vikings run.
Fourth Quarter
3:14 left in the game and EB leads 73-58. Addis Ralph has fouled out for the Bears. South Brunswick opens fourth by scoring 14 of the first 25 points.
3:04 left and EB calls time with a 73-59 lead.
35.5 seconds left and South Brunswick calls timeout after a tap in off the alleyoop by Eric Savage. EB leads 81-68. Vikings on a 9-8 run.
0:00–Game just ended here at EB with Bears defeating South Brunswick, 81-68. EB’s scoring for the game: Matt Ross led the Bears with 32 while Mike Brizuela and Mike Vick each added 11 and Justin Sewnarine chipped in with 10. SB scoring for the game: Eric Savage led the Vikings with 24 while Mike Ugarte chipped in with 16 and Jaier Garrett added 14.