METUCHEN, NJ–In the GMC Hoops Game of the Week broadcast, sixth ranked Carteret traveled to the Dawg Pound in Metuchen to take on the Bulldogs, who are having one of their best starts in the last 10 years.
The Bulldogs jumped out to an 8-3 lead, and put together a 12-4 tear to pull away from an 11-11 tie for a 23-15 lead midway through the second, but Carteret ended the half with a 16-5 tear over the last 5:05 of the second including two threes in the final minute by Jemar Jordan for a 31-28 lead at the half.
Metuchen, led by Danny Flaherty and Thomas Christine, rallied in the third with a 19-13 showing for a 47-44 lead. The Bulldogs scored the first points of the fourth period for a 49-44 lead, but Carteret finished the game on a 20-5 tear to come away with the hard fought, 64-54 victory. Below are game notes from the action:
First Quarter
5:48–MET–takes on 8-3 lead on two three point plays by Thomas Christine.
4:42–CAR–Jemar Jordan fouled on a coast to coast drive to the basket. Jordan makes both FTs after threes by Nasseir Moore and Kahir Raymond for an 8-0 run and an 11-8 lead.
4:26–MET–Danny Flaherty shows some hang time and body control on a conventional three point play to tie the score at 11-11.
2:38–MET–takes a 12-11 lead on a free throw. Carteret with 5 team fouls already.
1:45–MET–Flaherty sinks a three pointer for a 15-11 lead.
1:15–MET–Amari Whitehead drives in for a layup and a 17-11 lead.
0:55–CAR–turnover. MET still leads 17-11.
0:40–MET–picks up sixth team foul. Both teams now with six team foul.
0:10–CAR–Moore connects on jumper for a 17-13 MET lead.
0:00–CAR–Jordan steals pass by David Weiss to end the first period with Metuchen leading Carteret 17-13.
Second Quarter
7:40–MET–takes a 19-13 lead after a steal by Christine from Jordan leads to a Christine layup.
6:55–MET–now leads 21-13 after another layup off a steal.
6:27–CAR–Isaiah Daniels-Porter connects on a short hook for a 21-15 MET lead.
6:11–MET–calls a 30 second timeout with a 21-15 lead.
5:10–MET–Christine scores on a layup as he is fouled by Moore, who picks up his third foul. Missed bonus free throw for a 23-15 lead.
4:57–CAR–Moore goes to the basket for a layup for a 23-17 MET lead.
4:35–CAR–Jordan fouled and makes one of two FTs for a 23-18 MET lead.
3:40–MET–Flaherty scores off a great block to block dish by Danny Petto for a 25-18 lead.
3:05–CAR–Jordan scores on a putback for a 25-20 MET lead.
2:11–CAR–Porter scores on a layup down low while being fouled by Whitehead, who picks up his 3rd foul. Porter makes the bonus FT for a three point play. MET leads 25-23.
1:24–MET–Ethan Leibovits fires in a three pointer for a 28-23 lead.
1:13–CAR–Daniels-Porter drives and dishes to Judah Pascal for a layup and a 28-25 MET lead.
1:00–MET–carrying violation.
0:20–CAR–Jordan fires in a three pointer despite good defense by Metuchen for a 28-28 tie.
0:05–CAR–Jordan fires in another trey for a 31-28 lead at the half. Ramblers now on a 16-5 tear over the last 5:05.
0:00–MET–halfcourt shot by Christine off the mark as Carteret takes a 31-28 lead at the intermission.
Third Quarter
7:48–CAR–Daniels-Porter called for an over the back foul.
7:30–MET–Flaherty gets fouled on a shot attempt down low on the second effort. Makes both FTs for a 31-30 CAR lead.
7:15–CAR–Jordan fouled on a layup attempt off a Moore pass. Leibovits picks up his 3rd foul. Whitehead in. Jordan makes one of two FTs
7:00–MET–commits a backcourt violation. Two quick turnovers early on in 3rd by Bulldogs.
6:45–CAR–Daniels-Porter knocks down a three for a 35-30 lead.
6:00–MET–Flaherty scores on a putback for a 35-32 CAR lead.
5:44–MET–Christine fouled and makes one of two FTs for a 35-33 CAR lead.
5:25–MET–Flaherty ties the game at 35-35 with a steal for a layup.
5:00–CAR–takes a 38-35 lead on a Angelo Golino three over David Weiss.
4:53–MET–scores on a floater for a 38-37 MET lead.
4:47–CAR–Porter hits a jumper for a 40-37 lead.
4:08–MET–Whitehead drives to the basket, and apparently walks, but it is not called for a 40-39 CAR lead.
3:40–MET–takes a 41-40 lead on a layup that gets a kind roll.
3:20–CAR–Daniels-Porter fouled by Flaherty (1st of the game). Makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 41-41 tie.
3:00–MET–Flaherty swipes a steal for a layup and a 43-41 lead.
2:50–MET–Christine steals for a layup and a 45-41 lead.
2:00–CAR–Daniels-Porter powers in for a layup off a baseline drive for a 45-43 MET lead.
1:45–CAR–Daniels-Porter fouled. Makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 45-44 lead.
1:35–MET–timeout.
0:50–MET–basket for a 47-44 lead.
0:19–MET–turnover with a 47-44 lead.
0:00–MET–Leibovits heave from about 40 feet is off the mark. Still leads 47-44 after three.
Fourth Quarter
7:30–MET–turnover.
7:10–MET–Christine picks up a loose ball, and goes coast to coast for a layup and a 49-44 lead.
6:48–CAR–Daniels-Porter knocks down a three pointer for a 49-47 MET lead.
6:35–CAR–Jordan slams home a dunk off a MET turnover for a 49-49 tie.
6:20–MET–Flaherty draws a charge on Raymond after Raymond swiped a steal.
6:00–MET–calls timeout after helter skelter sequence.
5:23–CAR–calls timeout after a scramble for a loose ball.
5:15–CAR–traveling.
5:07–CAR–Jordan swipes a steal and goes in for a layup where he is fouled by Christine. Jordan makes both FTs for a 51-49 lead.
5:00–CAR–Jordan swipes a steal off Leibovits for a two handed jam and a 53-49 lead.
4:15–MET–Christine had an apparent steal, but was called for a kick violation.
3:42–CAR–Daniels-Porter is fouled and makes one of two from the line for a 54-49 lead. MET fouled on the missed second shot by Golino.
3:30–MET–Amari Whitehead fouled by Zemar Brake–MET in the bonus–CAR–7 fouls–Whitehead missed front end of the one and one.
3:20–MET–Flaherty picks up his third foul.
2:45–CAR–Zemar Brake scores on a layup for a 56-49 lead.
2:27–MET–timeout with CAR leading 56-49.
2:00–MET–Flaherty scores for a 56-51 CAR lead.
1:30–MET–gets a steal from Petto that leads to a Flaherty three for a 56-54 CAR lead.
1:08–CAR–Jordan fires in a clutch trey for a 59-54 lead.
0:34–CAR–Jordan scores on a layin off a full court pass for a 61-54 lead.
0:24–MET–traveling violation.
0:21–CAR–Harris fouled and makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 62-54 lead and Jordan gets the offensive rebound.
0:18–CAR–Moore fouled–Leibovits fouls out. Makes both FTs for a 64-54 lead.
0:00–MET–misses several shots down the stretch. Moore gets the rebound and runs out the clock for a 64-54. CAR finishes the game on a 20-5 surge over the last 7:10 of the contest.