Here are highlights from the action in the 2016 NJSIAA Tournament of Champions Semifinal contest between 3rd seeded Linden and 2nd seeded St. Augustine at Pine Belt Arena in Toms River. The game got off to a back and forth start as the two teams exchanged leads three times and tied once.
Then, Linden took control with a 14-3 tear that was sparked by three pointers from William Phelps and Tavon Jones for a 21-11 lead early on in the second quarter. The Hermits of St. Augie’s fought back with a 13-4 tear that included a breakaway dunk by Justyn Mutts and a three pointer by Saeed Nelson before being capped by a jumper from Walt Harvey to pull within one at 25-24 before Joey Krempa got his only points of the game on a layup to give Linden a 27-24 lead at the half.
From that point on, the game remained close. Both teams went back and forth for much of the second half before Linden took a 54-47 lead on a basket by Phelps with 2:36 remaining. However, St. Augustine, bolstered by its famed student section, the Richland Rowdies, fought back with a 9-2 run that included two dunks by Mutts and a three from Nelson to tie the game at 56-56. Linden would emerge victorious though as Tavon Jones netted a pair of free throws and Tafari Lowe made one of two from the line to seal the 59-56 win.
Phelps finished with a game high 21 points while Lowe collected a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds. Jones chipped in with 10 points and 9 boards. Nelson finished with 20 points to lead St. Augustine while Mutts ended up with 13 including 10 in the fourth period to conclude his career with over 1,000 points. Harvey chipped in with 11. Linden improved to 25-5 on the season, and advanced to the TOC final to play St. Anthony’s while St. Augustine ended its season at 30-2.