Knights Conquer Caimans 87-78 on Day 1 of Invitational!

01.14.19

Warwick, R.I. – January 14, 2019: The CCRI Knights men's basketball team welcomed the Hostos Community College Caimans in their opening game of the 2019 CCRI Invitational. A back and forth battle eventually went the way of the Knights as they would go on to win the game 87-78. The win improves CCRI's season record to 14-3 overall and 11-2 in Region XXI play.

With the goal of continuing their winning streak and remaining unbeaten in the last month, CCRI knew the Caimans would be a tough test on day one of the invitational. The Knights did come out swinging, taking an early 16-5 lead with 14:08 left in the first half. With 8:34 left before halftime, CCRI was controlling a 25-17 lead. The Caimans would claw back, drawing level and eventually pushing past the Knights to take a 38-35 halftime lead.

A change in pace was needed and the Knights brought that right out of the locker room. The defense pressed higher and looked to drive to the basket on the counter. The CCRI defense which averages 8.9 steals per game snatched 12 steals versus Hostos. This helped turn defense to offense in the open court as the Knights took back the lead, 55-48 with 11:40 left on the clock. CCRI's lead was never truly threatened and they would hold on, winning 87-78.

Leading the Knights versus Hostos was sophomore co-captain Peter Wilson (Providence, RI) scoring 29 points with seven rebounds, six assists, two steals and one block. Wilson's 338 total points sees him move to No. 14 in the nation for scoring. Sophomore co-captain JC Santos (East Providence, RI) racked up 25 points, eight assists, four rebounds and one steal. Santos now sit sixth in the nation with 110 total assists. Sophomore co-captain Dave Cabeceiras (Warwick, RI) scored 17 points, making five 3-pointers while adding four rebounds, three steals and one assist. Big men sophomore Oscar Iteji (Schenedtady, NY) and freshman Franklin Udeh (Boston, MA) combined for 10 points with Udeh securing a whopping 15 rebound. Iteji snatched eight rebounds with four steals, two blocks and one assist.

In other action men's action in the 2019 CCRI Invitational on Saturday The Lions Nassau Community College defeated MassBay Community College 103- 79 behind an amazing game-high of 51 points from the Lion's Cheyenne Nettleton.

The CCRI Knights men's basketball team will next be in action on Sunday January 13 at 4 p.m. as they face the Mustangs of Central Maine Community College on the final day of the CCRI Invitational.

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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.