Here are highlights from the action in the opening round of the 2014 Region XIX JUCO playoffs between Bucks Community College of Pennsylvania and Middlesex County College. The Blue Colts jumped out to a 10-0 lead as Bound Brook’s Jaquan Pearyer (30 points) netted two threes and South Plainfield’s Joe Skwiat connected on a foul line jumper. After Bucks rallied with a 9-2 spurt to pull within three, MCC embarked on a 27-7 outburst that put the Colts up 39-16 as Piscataway’s Marcus Freeney (30 points) hit several threes and Richmond Asare (12 points) connected on a couple treys as well as a drive to the hoop.
Middlesex C.C. eventually led by as many as 27 points in the first half before Bucks ended the half with the final five points to trail 56-34 at the break, and then opened the second half on an 18-5 tear to close the gap to 61-52 with 15 minutes or so left. The Centurions continued to chip away at the lead, and got within five at 69-64 with several minutes left before MCC closed the game on a 20-11 surge led by Freeney for the 89-75 win. Cardinal McCarrick’s Jeremy Cruz orchestrated the Blue Colts offense with 2 points, 13 assists, and 7 steals.
With the victory, MCC advanced to the next round to face arch rival Union County College on February 25th.