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Devils Lose to Eagles
The University of the Sciences had the style of play they wanted in Saturday's regular season finale against Post University, slow and deliberate. However their comeback rally fell short as they lost 50-47 in Waterbury, Connecticut.
The Devils drop to 12-12 overall and finish the regular season with a 7-10 conference record. Post improves to 16-10 and 14-4 in league play.
Myer Messinger led all scorers with 15 points and was the Devils only bright spot on the free throw line making 11 of 12. Adewale Adefemi added 11 points and eight rebounds but converted just one of eight from the free throw line.
The Eagles were led Garvin McAlister and James Lee, scoring 11 and 10 points respectively. Elon Howard had eight rebounds.
The Devils made 17 of 28 free throws, missing 10 or more for the 15th time in 24 games this season. Despite missing 11 free throws, they had the better free throw percentage as Post made just nine of 16.
Sciences jumped out to an early 19-7 lead before a 9-2 spurt by the Eagles cut the lead to five 21-16 with 7:52 left in the opening period. A Patrick Connaghan layup pushed the lead back to seven 23-16 at the 6:59 mark but the Eagles closed out the period with a 16-6 uprising to take a three point lead at the break 32-29.
A triple from Cecil Stinson to open the period doubled the lead to six 35-29 but the Devils kept things close and trailed by two 37-35 with 13:30 left before their offense went cold, not scoring a point for an eight minute stretch as the Eagles scored six straight to lead 43-35. A layup from Will Kernan at the 5:30 mark broke the drought and pulled Sciences within six. Post still led by six 45-39 with 3:26 left when the Devils got dunks from Adefemi and Messinger to close the gap to two 45-43. Messinger later made one of two free throws with 47 seconds left to make the score 45-44. Geraldo Fernandez then hit a three-point field goal with 31 seconds left to boost the lead back to four 48-44. McGallister made two free throws boosting the lead to six with 16 seconds left. Tyrone Mann-Barnes nailed a three-point field goal with 0.3 left to make the final score 50-47.
The Devils shot 34.1% from the field (14-41) while Post shot 30.2%(16-53). The Eagles outrebounded the Devils 40-36. Both teams turned the ball over 21 times and had 11 assists. Post had nine three-point field goals while the Devils had two.
The Devils return to action for the CACC Quarterfinals, playing at Goldey-Beacom College on Tuesday, March 1, 2011. Tip off is set for 7:00 p.m.
