MORRISTOWN, NJ–On Saturday night, GMC Hoops traveled up to Morristown and the College of St. Elizabeth to see the first ever men’s basketball game in CSE’s history. The school had previous been a women’s only college until this year when it became co-ed. The Screaming Eagles hosted King’s College of New York in the historic season opener.
Behind a putback and a transition layup from former GMC standout, Jason Saldiveri, the College of St. Elizabeth jumped out to a 6-0 lead. King’s College rallied back with a 12-3 spurt that included a three pointer and a floater for a 12-9 lead.
The Screaming Eagles of CSE took the lead for good with a 14-0 spurt that included a transition layup and a three pointer from Saldiveri for a 23-12 lead. From there, the College of St. Elizabeth led by as many as 22 in the second half thanks in part to 7 points from former Spotswood standout, Marlon Hart, before winning the game, 80-65.
Saldiveri ended up with 19 points on 6 of 13 shooting from the floor and a perfect 6 of 6 from the line in 23 minutes. Jordan Simmons chipped in with 14 points on 6 of 9 shooting in 19 minutes while Hart added 12 points on 4 of 10 shooting from the floor, and 3 of 4 from the line in 27 minutes.
Coaching the College of St. Elizabeth was former Kean University assistant coach, and East Brunswick graduate, Tom Wagenblast. Former Carteret hoops standout, Xavier Fuller is also on the staff as an assistant coach. Below are game notes from the action:
First Half
18:35 left in the first half and CSE leads King’s College 2-0 with the first men’s basket scored by Jason Saldiveri.
17:20 to go in the first half and Kings College calls timeout after another Saldiveri score caps a 6-0 start for CSE.
12:50 left in the first half and King’s College has rallied back with an 8-1 spurt to turn an 8-2 deficit into a 10-9 lead.
11:23 left in the first half and King’s College calls time after two layups off of steals by CSE to retake the lead at 13-12.
10:05 left in the 1st half and King’s College calls its 3rd timeout of half after a layup and a 3 by Jason Saldiveri gives CSE a 23-12 lead.
7:29 left in the first half and CSE now leads 27-18 after two FTs by Marlon Hart ends a 6-2 King’s College run.
5:21 left in the first half and CSE calls time with a 32-21 lead after a 5-3 run.
2:58 left in the first half and CSE now leads 39-24 after a 7-3 run capped by two FTs from Jason Saldiveri
1:37 left in first half and CSE calls time with a 41-26 lead. Since trailing 12-9, Eagles on 32-14 surge
0:00–Game has gone to the half with CSE leading King’s College by the score of 44-26.
Second Half
15:00 left in the game and College of St. Elizabeth is rolling after an 8-4 start to 2nd half for a 52-30 lead.
11:32 remaining in the game and CSE leads King’s College 60-38 after a three point play by Marlon Hart.
10:56 to play and King’s College calls time after another CSE score for a 62-38 lead.
7:13 left in the game and CSE leads King’s College 68-43 after earlier score by Robbinsville’s Tino Martinez.
3:14 left in the game and CSE calls time with a 72-52 lead after an earlier jumper by Marlon Hart
0:00–Game just ended with College St. Elizabeth defeating King’s College 80-65.