Cruz Three Pointer Helps MCC Hold Off UCC Second Half Rally For 82-73 Win
CRANFORD, NJ–On Tuesday night, GMC Hoops traveled out to the Cranford Campus of Union County College to see the Owls in action against Middlesex County College. Â It was the first time that the web site had paid a visit to UCC, and the first time that it saw Middlesex County College play on the road. Â This contest was the third college game involving MCC that GMC Hoops has seen this season.
Middlesex managed to pull out the victory, but like the game last Tuesday night against Passaic County Community College, the Colts made things interesting down the stretch. Â After having a 24 point lead early on in the second half, MCC had to hang on in the end. Â UCC drew within four points before Jeremy Cruz, who came up with several threes in the second half netted one of them from the right wing with a little more than two minutes to go. Â From there, MCC went on to win 82-73.
The Blue Colts were in control from the get go in this one by taking a 49-28 halftime lead. Â Sean Thomas helped MCC pick up where it left off in the first half by converting a traditional three point play at the 19:29 mark for a 52-28 Â lead. Â Over the next 6:58, the Owls tried to get back into the game with a 19-7 spurt that included several transition scores after the Colts missed a shot or turned the ball over. Â UCC also converted a three point play during the run. Â The only points scored by Middlesex during the span were buckets by Myles Reuben and Sean Thomas along with a trey by Jeremy Cruz.
Leading by only a dozen, MCC needed to get a score and they did courtesy of a jumper from the right wing by Reuben prior to a Colts timeout at the 12:31 mark. Â Following the stoppage, Cruz hit another three and Reuben added another score to help give the visitors a 66-52 lead with 9:28 left. Â The Owls would rally again to pull within single digits thanks to a three pointer and a layup, but Middlesex got a layin with 6:53 remaining for a 68-57 lead when a MCC timeout was called.
Union  County College continued to chip away at the lead.  With a raucous and boisterous crowd behind the Owls, they continued to climb back into the game.  Over the next 1:55, UCC went on a 8-2 run including a score at the 5:31 mark to narrow the deficit to 70-65.  On the ensuing possession, the Colts got the ball to Reuben, who dribbled downcourt, and dished to a teammate for a layup, and a 72-65 lead.  MCC would hold on to that lead despite UCC fighting to get a loose ball, and calling for time at the 4:58 mark.
Following the timeout, the Colts and Owls would scrap for about a minute and a half before MCC got a bucket to increase the margin to 74-65. Â UCC responded though with two unanswered baskets to draw within five again at 74-69 with less than two and a half minutes left in the game. Â Cruz came up with a huge score when he connected on a a triple from the right wing at the 2:07 mark for a 77-69 lead. Â The Owls then got a score and called for time with 1:50 left to play. Â After the timeout, UCC scored again off a steal to pull within four points.
Unfortunately, the Owls were unable to get any closer as Middlesex scored the final five points of the game to wrap up the nine point victory.