Here are highlights from the action between Metuchen and Middlesex in a GMC Blue Division contest in the last days of January 2014.
The Jays had a 28-20 halftime lead, and started the second half on a good note with a 5-1 run over the first 3:18 of the third as Jarret Bogus got a field goal and Sean Sarnoski added a three for a 33-21 advantage. Middlesex continued to increase its lead over the next 8:58 with a 14-12 run including an 8-3 spurt over the first 2:20 of the fourth for a seemingly commanding 47-33 lead.
However, Metuchen didn’t quit. Led by sophomore Evan Collier, who scored 11 points including three treys during the Bulldogs rally, Metuchen went on a 19-4 tear over a span of 4:07 to take a 52-51 lead on a layin by Collier with just over a minute left. The Jays then retook the lead at 53-52 on a shot in the paint by Middlesex senior, Emilio Gonzalez-DeOlio with 57 seconds left. Metuchen quickly took the lead back on a pair of free throws by Artie Flaherty Jr. with 40.6 seconds left before Gonzalez-DeOlio was fouled by Flaherty Jr. (fouled out) with 26.6 left, and made both free throws for a 55-54 lead.
Following a timeout by the Bulldogs with 14.5 seconds left, Metuchen went for a last second shot, but a jumper from the left side of the key was off the mark as time ran out and Middlesex survived with a 55-54 victory.