Box Score Buffalo, NY – The D'Youville men's basketball team snapped their three-game losing streak on Saturday afternoon, defeating the Franciscan Barons by the final score of 73-65.
Franciscan got out to an 8-0 lead over the Spartans with less than two minutes elapsed on the game clock. D'Youville would go on to score 10 of the next 13 points, with Jeremy VanDuluitgaarden (Oneida, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill) scoring six of those points. Steve Kunelius (Oswego, NY/Oswego) helped bring the game to within one point with a converted and-one with 11:10 to go in the first.
The Barons would continue to maintain their lead, despite D'Youville consistently challenge to take it away from Franciscan. Jake Socha (Tonawanda, NY/Niagara Catholic) tied the game up at 28-28 on a made layup before Franciscan took the lead again on their next possession. However Socha scored the next five points after his made layup to tie the game up at 33. With 1:26 to go in the half, Zach Blask (Portville, NY/Portville) gave the Spartans their first lead of the game with a pair of free throws. Kunelius added a three in the final minute of the half, giving the Spartans a 38-33 lead at the half.
D'Youville maintained their five-point lead over the Barons to begin the first half as Socha scored back-to-back layups in the first 3:23 of play. Franciscan brought their deficit to two points with 12:47 remaining in regulation, but the Spartan's defense would take over, helping them create some distance between the two teams.
With the score 51-49, D'Youville allowed just three points over a span 7:19, allowing the Spartans to take a 60-51 lead over the visiting Barons. With 3:38 left in the game, Franciscan pulled to within five of the Spartan lead. Will VanAuken (Caledonia, NY/Caledonia Mumford) made a big jump shot with 1:28 to go, giving D'Youville a five-point lead once again. Down the stretch, Kunelius, Bayani Salinas (Antioch, CA/Antioch) and VanAuken all hit clutch free throws. Darrius Hartzog (Rochester, NY/Wilson Magnet) played lock-down defense as well, helping clinch the 73-65 victory for the Spartans.
"We had focused the last few days on getting the ball inside offensively and not settling for three-pointers exclusively," said head coach Earl Schunk. "We were able to do that today, along with a decent defensive effort, and pull out a hard fought game."
For the second time this season, Socha went over the 30-point mark. He scored 32 points, the second highest of his career. Jake also led the team with nine rebounds and two blocks. VanDuluitgaarden added 12 points and six rebounds of his own. In his first game back from injury, Salinas had four assists, six rebounds and seven points. Blask also scored seven points, leading the team with five assists.
Kunelius led the team in scoring off the bench with eight points. He also had four rebounds, tied with Brian Nwaekeke (Corona, CA/John F. Kennedy). VanAuken had a solid game, scoring five points with four assists and six rebounds.
The men will play next on Monday, January 9th at Pitt.-Bradford. Tip-off will be at 8pm.
