MEN'S BASKETBALL WINS TWO THRILLERS IN NYC

Randolph Center, VT: The Vermont State University- Randolph men's basketball team traveled to New York City this past weekend for a showdown with powerhouse NYC- Berkeley and Five Towns College. The Knights needed three overtimes over the 2 games, but they found a way to return home with 2 wins. 

Saturday, the Green Knights took on NYC- Berkeley. In the first half, Berkeley overwhelmed VTSU-R with their size and shot making ability. Berkeley went into the halftime with a 13 point lead 49-36. VTSU Randolph responded with a 16-6 run in less than 4 minutes to cut the lead to three. Romelle Watts jump started the run scoring the Knights first 5 points of the second half. Jaylon Calvin followed up with a huge three while dishing out 3 assist during that run. The Knights would take the lead with 7:32 left in the contest. They would not hold it for long as Berkeley responded with a 7-0 run to take the lead 85-79. The Knights would end regulation on a 8-2 run to send the game into overtime. Key baskets by Tyler Allen and Lovell Hayes gave the VTSU-R the lead going into the final 30 seconds of overtime, but timely offensive rebounds and putbacks by Berkeley tied the score and sent the game into double OT. In D-OT, Romelle Watt converted 1 of 2 free throws to give the Knights a 105-104 lead. Givel Nelson-Nunez then secured the game deciding rebounding as the Knights upset Berkeley on the road. VTSU- Randolph had 5 players in double figures led by all american Jaylon Calvin with 23. First year player Tyler Allen had 21, Xzavier Ivey had 13 including a three that put the Knights up 5 in overtime. Lovell Hayes and Romelle Watts had 18 and Watts also had 10 rebounds recording a double double. Calvin filled the stat sheet with 10 assist, 5 steals and 8 rebounds. leaving him 2 rebounds short of a triple double. Kenny Pitt had a monster day for Berkely scoring 32 points.

Sunday, the Green Knights traveled to Long Island to take on a 3-1 Five Towns College team. Xzaviey Ivey jump started the Knights scoring 7 of the first 13 points to give the Knights a 13-5 lead. Unfortunately for VTSU- Randolph they were only able to muster up 11 points in the final 15 minutes of the first half. Tyler Bond caught rhythm for Five Towns and help the Sound carry a 7 point lead into half. The Knights looked fatigued as Five Towns continued to convert in transition and some incredible shot making by Tyler Bond. With 5:53 left in the game, VTSU Randolph trailed 65-50. The Knights picked up the defensive pressure and forced 8 turnovers to fuel a 17-2 run to tie the game at 67 and force overtime. In overtime, the Knights trailed by 3 (72-69), but Tyler Allen converted on a jump shot, followed by a steal by Jaylon Calvin, who then found Romelle Watt for a layup to give the Knights the lead. Vermont State would not surrender that lead as a few more baskets and free throws sealed the game for the Knights 84-79. The Knights once again had 5 players in double figures. Watt 10, Ivey 14 and Lovell Hayes had 13. Tyler Allen scored 18 points, all in the second half and overtime. Jaylon Calvin also had 18, along with 10 rebs, 7 assist and 6 steals. 

The Knights improve to 5-2 and head into conference play as they visit the Herons of Great Bay next Sunday.

Coach Hughes on the Weekend

I'm so proud of our guys and the way they fight. A sense of pride and toughness really was on display this weekend from our group. We definitely don't want to get use to being down double digits, but I am glad we are finding ways to win. We have a very long way to go to be where we want to be, but I think we turned some heads and showed that it's a pretty good basketball team residing in Randolph Center,VT.