CCRI Corral Mustangs 71-67 in Final Game of Invitational!

01.14.19

Warwick, R.I. – January 14, 2019: The CCRI Knights men's basketball team hosted The Central Maine Community College Mustangs (CMCC) from Auburn, ME for the final game of the 2019 CCRI Invitational. Another tight game would come down to the wire and the Knights would stand on top winning 71-67. The game served as a scrimmage and therefore does not effect the season record.

Slightly fatigued from the close game the day before, the Knights came into Sunday's showdown looking to extend their four-game winning streak. The heavy legs shown as CCRI fell behind CMCC 12-8 five minutes into the action. Five minutes later and CCRI had battled back to tie the game up at 17-17 with 9:34 left in the first half. This push continued and the Knights went into the locker room with a 39-34 lead at halftime.

The second half carried the same theme of a tight battle in which CCRI lead for almost its entirety. With just 1:27 left on the clock the score was tied at 65-65. CMCC hit a 2-point jumper to take the 67-65 lead with just one minute remaining. On the next CCRI trip down the court JC Santos (East Providence, RI) hit a massive 3-pointer from about 26 feet to take a one-point lead, 68-78 with approximately 30 seconds remaining. A defensive stop and Peter Wilson (Providence, RI) hitting several late free-throws sealed the deal for the Knights as they won the game 71-67.

Leading the line for the Knights was sophomore co-captain Peter Wilson scoring 16 points with seven rebounds five assists and two steals. Freshman Franklin Udeh (Boston, MA) registered 14 points, four rebounds and one steal. Sophomore co-captain JC Santos tallied 12 points with nine assists, five rebounds and four steals.

Head Coach Rick Harris commented:

"Another successful Invitational put on by our CCRI Athletic Department. The visiting teams all complimented playing at our facility and the hospitality. Proud of our guys effort as they are really buying into the style of play we believe we have to play to be our best. Defense is the priority and we held both of these teams who average around 90 PPG well below their season average. Our backcourt of JC Santos and Peter Wilson has a monster game Saturday with a combined 54 points vs Hostos and though a little fatigued Sunday, we dug in and got the job done vs Central Maine in a total team effort. This group of ten strong is a fun bunch to work with!"

In other action men's action in the 2019 CCRI Invitational on Sunday The Bayhawks of Bristol Community College defeated the Nassau Community College Lions 82-65.

The CCRI Knights men's basketball team will next be in action on Saturday, January 19 at 1 p.m. as they travel to Holyoke, MA to face the Cougars of Holyoke Community College.

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The Community College of Rhode Island, New England's largest comprehensive community college, enrolls nearly 15,000 students in credit courses and thousands more in non-credit and job training classes. Its athletic program boasts 12 varsity programs and an academic support program for all student-athletes.