MONROE, NJ–On Thursday night, GMC Hoops traveled over to the Monroe Sports Center to take in action from the Mid-Jersey Basketball Spring League between East Brunswick and Team Nation. Leading 10-8 after a Nick Fudali three pointer with over 11 minutes to go in the first half, EB could only manage one field goal the rest of the half as Team Nation, led by Xavier Townes and Mike Granda of St. Joseph’s and Joe Malave of Perth Amboy, went on a 16-5 tear to take a 24-15 lead at the intermission. Team Nation led by as many as 14 in the second half before EB made two rallies to pull within single digits late, but it wasn’t enough as Team Nation won, 52-49. Below are game notes from the contest.
First Half
16:00–Arrive with TN leading 6-5.
14:15–TN–Mike Granda fouled and makes both fts for an 8-5 lead.
13:20–EB–Tyler McNamara fouled and makes both fts for an 8-7 TN lead.
11:20–EB–Nick Fudali– three pointer from the left side for a 10-8 lead.
10:59–TN–timeout after layup for a 10-10 tie.
4:33–EB–on a 7-0 run now after a three by Xavier Townes for a 15-10 lead.
2:25–TN–now on a 12-0 run after a three and a layup for a 20-10 lead.
56.5–TN–layup for a 14-0 tear, and a 22-10 lead
0:25–EB–Ryan Ward sinks three from right wing for first FG in nearly eleven minutes for a 22-15 TN lead.
0:00–TN–gets another score for a 24-15 lead at half. TN outscored EB by a margin of 16-5 over last 10:59 of half.
Second Half
16:00–TN–opens 2nd half on a 7-2 run capped by a three from Townes for a 31-17 lead.
12:59–EB–on a 10-4 run including a layup and a three point play by Tyler McNamara to close the gap to 35-27 in favor of TN.
10:00–TN–makes two threes including one from the left corner, and another from the right side for a 41-27 lead.
5:14–EB–timeout after Joe Malave hit a pull-up jumper to halt a 7-4 EB run, and give TN a 47-34 lead.
2:32–TN–timeout–EB on a 9-2 run incl. a three and layup by Matt Perel and Ward for a 49-43 TN lead.
8.3–EB–Perel fouled makes first ft and misses 2nd for a 52-47 TN lead.
5.6–TN–Malave fouled–misses front end of 1 and 1.
0.0–EB–Billy Donahue dribbles downcourt unimpeded for a two handed dunk to close scoring in a 52-49 TN win.