MONROE, NJ–On Thursday night, GMC Hoops traveled again down to the Monroe Sports Center to take in a contest from the 2014 MJBL Spring League between East Brunswick and the Black Hawks of Manalapan. Despite strong fan support for the Black Hawks, EB jumped out to a 9-2 lead and then scored the last 7 points of the first half and the first for points of the second half to open up a 35-23 lead EB route to a 56-42 victory. Mike Brizuela netted several first half threes while Nick Fudali and Billy Donahue also chipped in with some scoring. Mike Vick was also in action and was pivotal in helping the Bears pull away down the stretch with a three point play and several assists. Below are game notes from the action.
First Half
17:46–EB–opens scoring with a three by Mike Brizuela for a 3-0 lead.
15:00–EB–builds a 9-2 lead on scores by Billy Donahue and Nick Fudali.
10:00–BH–responds with an 11-4 rally including five straight points after two fts by Fudali to tie the score at 13-13.
6:30–EB–goes on an 11-4 run of its own highlighted by two threes from left wing by Brizuela for a 24-17 lead.
2:29–EB–timeout after BH layup for a 6-0 run and a 24-23 EB lead.
1:53–EB–Tyler McNamara scores on reverse layup for a 26-23 lead.
17.0–EB–Fudali hits three pointer from right side for a 29-23 lead.
0.0–EB–Brizuela scores on putback off Donahue miss for a 31-23 lead at the half.
Second Half
14:29–EB opens half with breakaway layup by Fudali and a breakaway dunk by Donahue to highlight a 9-6 start capped by three from Fudali for a 40-29 lead.
11:15–BH–goes on a 6-4 run including two threes for a 44-35 EB lead.
9:00–EB–Michael Vick intentionally fouled and makes 1 of 2 fts for a 47-35 lead.
7:14–BH–three pointer from left wing for a 47-38 EB lead.
6:13–EB–Brizuela blocks BH shot
4:39–EB–Vick drives and dishes to McNamara for layup and a 49-38 lead.
3:25–EB–McNamara dishes to a cutting Brizuela for layup from right side and a 51-38 lead.
1:55–EB–Vick layup and foul–EB–timeout–Vick then makes bonus ft for 54-40 lead.
1:15–EB–Vick dishes to Matt Salvent for layup and a 56-40 lead.
1:02–BH–Basket for a 56-42 EB lead.
0:00–EB runs out the clock for a 56-42 win.