EDISON, NJ–After watching a good deal of the scrimmage between South Brunswick and Steinert, GMC Hoops headed back to the familiar territory of Middlesex County and the Physical Education Center on the main campus of Middlesex County College to see the Colts in action for the third time this season against Northampton Community College of Pennsylvania.
Once again, the Colts got themselves entangled in a close contest. On top of that, it was a low scoring affair as both teams turned up the defense in this one. Middlesex trailed early by a 10-3 count, but rallied back with a 10-0 run to take a three point lead a little more than midway through the first half. As in their last GMC Hoops covered game against Sussex County Community College, the Colts were unable to shake off their opponent.
The Spartans of Northampton rallied with a 15-9 spurt to take a 25-22 lead before Arman Wilson, who made 6 of 10 shots in the first half along with all three of his free throws for 15 points, made two from the foul line to pull his team to within one. It was the first of eight points by Wilson in a 10-2 run that put the Colts up 32-27. Shamai Santiago, who made his first five shots from the floor as well as his first two foul shots connected on a three pointer with 41.5 seconds to play in the half for a 37-31 advantage at the intermission.
However, Northampton, which actually lost recently to Sussex Community College, scored six unanswered points to start the second half, and put together a 14-4 blitz for a 45-41 lead before Wilson sank his only three on the night for a 45-44 score with 14:44 to go. The Spartans then added an 11-5 run to take a 56-49 lead with 10:30 left before Jeff Ashamole, who had several huge blocks in the game, converted a traditional three point play at the 10:13 mark to spark a 19-10 rally that included a jumper from Yusuf Leary with around 10 seconds left to lift Middlesex to a 68-66 victory.
Wilson ended up with 25 points on 9 of 17 shooting from the floor, and 6 of 9 from the foul line while grabbing 7 rebounds, drawing 2 charges, and handing out an assist. Santiago chipped in with 19 points on 7 of 12 shooting from the floor, and 3 of 4 from the line while handing out 5 assists, swiping three steals, and grabbing a rebound. As a team, the Colts drew five charges in the victory. More details on this game later.
GMC Hoops–College Coverage–Results–December 10, 2009
- Middlesex County College 68–Northampton Community College 66