MONROE, NJ–In the first game of the GMC Hoops doubleheader at the 2016 MJBL Spring League at the Monroe Recreation Center on Saturday, the hometown Monroe Falcons took on Lights Out during the 5:00 PM hour. Sparked by a second three of the game by Mike Kides, the Falcons went on a 19-5 tear over a span of 9:49 to take a 24-10 lead.
Kenny Synsyn and Hassan Reid added scores during the early run while AK Patel converted a traditional three point play and Luke Patel fired in a three to cap the run. Matt Hoyt finished out the first half scoring with two layups in the final 30 seconds of the half to preserve the 14 point lead at 28-14 going into the intermission. The second half saw Lights Out battle back with a 14-4 tear over the first 10:51 to pull within four at 32-28.
However, Lights Out wasn’t able to get any closer as Monroe, sparked by a Reid basket at the 8:51 mark, finished the game on a 19-6 surge that included two threes by Kides, a trey by Kevin Shea and scores by Reid, Synsyn and Hoyt down the stretch to wrap up the 51-34 victory. Below are game notes from the action:
First Half
13:55–MON–takes an 8-5 lead on Mike Kides 2nd three of the game. Already two ties and a lead change.
10:41–MON–hits three from left corner after Hassan Reid made one of two free throws for a 12-8 lead.
9:13–MON–AK Patel converts a three point play for a 15-10 lead.
7:40–MON–AK Patel scores on putback for a 17-10 lead.
5:26–LIGHTS–timeout after scores in the paint by Kenny Synsyn and Hasan Reid for a 16-5 tear and a 21-10 lead.
4:06–MON–now up 24-10 after three from right wing by Luke Patel.
1:04–LIGHTS–get on the board for the first time in 9 minutes with a bucket for a 24-12 MON lead.
30.0–MON–Matt Hoyt scores on a layup off a back door cut for a 26-12 lead.
12.5–LIGHTS–banks in shot from in the paint while falling down for a 26-14 MON lead.
5.0–MON–Hoyt scores on transition layup for a 28-14 halftime lead.
Second Half
13:50–MON–almost turns ball over. LIGHTS opens half on a 10-4 run including a couple threes to close gap to 32-24.
11:07–LIGHTS–layup closes gap to 32-26.
9:43–LIGHTS–fouled and makes both FTs for a 32-28 MON lead.
9:09–LIGHTS–call timeout after swiping a steal.
8:51–MON–Reid goes through middle for layin and a 34-28 lead.
7:49–MON–scores 5 of last 7 points on Synsyn layup and a three from left wing by Kides for a 39-30 lead.
6:52–MON–three from top of the key by Kevin Shea for a 42-30 lead.
6:21–MON–Kides three from top of the key for a 45-30 lead.
4:57–MON–Reid layup for a 47-30 lead.
3:52–MON–Sysyn layup from left low block for a 49-32 lead.
2:51–MON–Hoyt layup from left side for a 51-32 lead.
0:00–MON–runs out the clock for a 51-34 win. MON finishes game on a 19-6 tear over last 8:51.