Gordon (10-1) tops Framingham State 86-70 for 9th straight win

Eric Demers (17 points) was part of an 11-point Gordon run

(Amesbury MA) Another game, another surge of points that were significant in the outcome.

Gordon dropped non-league Framingham State, 86-70, on Friday night at Framingham.

The Scots (10-1) remarkable run continues as this makes nine straight for the team from Wenham.

In this one GC put eleven unanswered points together scoring on four straight possessions in the second half between 12:24 and 10:38. That run of eleven turned a one-possession 52-49 lead into a many-possession 63-49 spread.

The Rams (1-9) managed to hang around but a mini-run of six points between 4:41 and 3:27 did them in as the lead stretched to 77-60.

Eric Demers, AJ Terry, and Avelino Damoura were the sparks during the collection of eleven.  Eric nailed consecutive three’s to start it.  The first was after AJ grabbed an offensive rebound and the second was assisted by AJ.  Then AJ hit his own three assisted by Avelino.  Avelino finished the run with a layup.

Josh Ribeiro was a big part of Gordon’s final separation from FSU

The six-point run that sealed any Framingham rally plans featured a Josh Ribeiro layup and two free throws plus a layup by Garrisson Duvivier.

The variety of contributors is a good thing.  The team does not lack scorers.

The Gordon zone did return after being exiled after a dismal first half against Eastern Nazarene.  Unlike ENC, the Rams looked uncomfortable against the zone in the half-court offense.  Where they did look comfortable was during high-speed transitions.  Too often missed GC shots turned into drives and fouls down the other end.

And there I go whining after the team has just won its 9^th straight!

Garrisson Duvivier – Had 20 points and 14 rebounds

The Scots took advantage of their size-edge down low and owned the boards all night.  Garrisson Duvivier finished with his ninth double/double (20 points/14 rebounds) of the season.

Eric Demers had a quiet first half (five points) but registered thirteen points in the second half.  Tonight featured his outside game.

Jake Haar added twelve points while Parker Omslaer put in ten with eight rebounds and three blocks.

FSU’s Manny Payton (17 points) had the speed and the green light to keep GC defenders busy.  The senior had 32 points last game vs Tufts.

The Rams are now 0-6 at home.  They had a 6-20 record last season.

The Scots have exams and a vacation before returning for a rematch with Eastern Nazarene on New Year’s Eve afternoon (1PM).  Many in attendance will be dressed up as empty seats!

David Massillon was injured against Framingham State and saw short minutes.

One way to attack a zone has always been to fast break and not let it get set up.  I saw some of that happening tonight.

Box from the game

Christmas thought: Jesus came down to earth because we can’t get up to Him.  What a Savior!

 

 

 

 

(Game #1 – Framingham State) Scots Run 17 Straight to Reach Tip-Off Tournament Finals

By Peter McClelland

(Wenham) – The Gordon men’s basketball team defeated Framingham State, 93-71, on Friday night to reach the finals of the Tip-Off Tournament.  They will be facing a quick Westfield State team in the championship game Saturday night at 8 o’clock at the Bennett Center.

You look at the score and you’re thinking “blowout.”  However, eight minutes into the second half the Scots had a very narrow 61-60 edge. 

Framingham State coach Don Spellman, however, had a premonition.  “We knew going in that Gordon was one of the better shooting teams in New England.  We knew they’d make a run and we just hoped that our defense could stem the tide.”

Unfortunately for the visitors Gordon went off for 17 straight points while the Rams were held scoreless for those three minutes.  When the onslaught ended it was 78-60 and the Rams did not have the firepower to do much to that lead over the final nine minutes.

“We pride ourselves in our defense,” explained Coach Spellman.  “However, we have a lot of new players and they aren’t as good on defense as they will be as the season goes along.  We have never had that many points scored against us before.”

For Gordon coach Mike Schauer this was a game he liked a lot better as it went along.  “In that run we made in the second half most of our points came on the inside.  That’s something we can finally do.”  Actually, 10 of the 17 points came from the foul line but the Scots got to the foul line because they kept pounding the ball inside drawing the fouls.

Sophomore Jon Marstaller (Naples ME) had a big game on offense and defense.  He is still able to get to the basket against one-on-one coverage inside and in this one he led all scorers with 19 points.  His defense was even better as he had four blocks and four steals.

Gordon’s defense impressed Coach Spellman.  “Their perimeter defense was much better than I expected.  I think that our big guys got a little frustrated during that second half run because Gordon’s defense made it hard to get the ball inside where they wanted it.”

The Scots had five players in double figures.  The usual suspects, Jon Marstaller(19), Mike Herr(18), Jerry Logan(15), and Justin Kaufman(10) were there as well as surprise entry John Beebe(13).  John connected on four 3’s in the first half to keep the Scots close at half – down 43-42.

Junior Mike Herr (Lampeter PA) had what I thought was a quiet 18 points but a very loud 11 rebounds.  To say that Gordon has been a weak rebounding team in the past is a serious understatement.  At least in this game they held their own. 

Junior Derek Wigman (Pembroke MA) had a monster first half for the Rams making 6 of 7 shots on his way to 18 points for the game.  Ryan Dacey(16) and Joe Faradie(14) also reached double figures.

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Nick Marino’s dunk was the capper on the 17-point run……The Gordon cheering section was active with plenty to cheer about……With the possible emergence of an inside game you have to think that some of Gordon’s 3-point shooters could be seeing some open looks against sagging defenses………Justin Kaufman wasn’t happy with the six turnovers but what about those six assists?………Mark Beebe miss seven 3’s?  Don’t expect that to happen again………Jerry Logan found the floor a few times because of his tenacity.  He was Gordon’s best defender last year……….It was nice to see Keith Krass healthy and banking in a basket…….Newcomer Tim DeLuca began his Gordon career by standing in and taking a charge……………Emily Sydow may have graduated but she was back doing the stats and rendering the National Anthem and God Bless America.  What a voice!………..Westfield State can fly and against Southern Maine they run themselves into open shots.  The championship game should be a high-scoring affair.