BRIDGEWATER, NJ—In the nightcap of the GMC Hoops doubleheader at the 2015 Bridgewater-Raritan Summer League on Tuesday night, East Brunswick took on the host school, Bridgewater-Raritan. Playing without the likes of Matt Ross and Mike Vick, the Bears got off to a slow start as they didn’t get on the board until a little over 4 minutes into the game. Then, Bridgewater went on an 8-3 run midway through the half, and later scored at the buzzer for a 24-15 halftime lead. EB scrapped back to within six at 30-24 thanks to a three by Mike Brizuela and a conventional three point play by Dante Ralph, but the Panthers responded with 7 unanswered points including a layup by Mancuso to take a 37-24 lead, and went on to win 45-36. Below are game notes from the action:
First Half
17:22–BR–jumps out to a 4-0 lead on a baseline drive from the right side for layup by Matt Mancuso and foul–missed free throw.
15:52–EB–timeout after nice follow by Ryan Crocco to get Bears on the board. BR still leads 6-2.
14:40–EB–Addis Ralph knocks down trey from right side of the key for a 6-5 BR lead.
12:32–BR–After EB tied it with a FT, Mancuso scored again for an 8-6 lead.
4:57–BR–goes on an 8-3 run including another score by Mancuso for a 16-9 lead.
3:00–BR leads 18-13 after EB got a floater from Tom Pappas and a transition layup by Addis Ralph.
0:36–BR–layup from right low block off nice dish for a 4-0 run and a 22-13 lead.
0:07–EB–Mike Brizuela hits a jumper from the left elbow for a 22-15 BR lead.
0:00–BR scores at the buzzer for a 24-15 halftime lead.
Second Half
14:40–EB–starts half on a 6-4 run including a three by Brizuela for a 28-21 BR lead.
12:53–EB–Dante Ralph converts a three point play for a 30-24 BR lead.
12:29–BR–Mancuso scores on layup from right side for a 32-24 lead.
11:07–BR–adds a steal for a basket and then a three for a 37-24 lead.
7:02–EB–Crocco drive and dish to Addis Ralph for layup and a 7-2 run to close the gap to 39-31.
5:59–BR–Mancuso fouled–makes both FTs for a 41-31 lead.
2:10–EB–timeout with BR leading 44-31.
1:21–EB–gets one of two from the line by Joe Sampson in addition to an earlier score for a 44-34 BR lead.
0:10–EB–Jesse Perel banks in a floater as he is fouled, but missed bonus FT for a 45-36 BR lead.
0:00–EB–misses three from left corner at the buzzer. BR wins 45-36.