City of Basketball Love

Aron Minkoff (@AronMinkoff)

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St. Joseph’s picked up its 10th win of season in convincing fashion over University of Maryland Eastern Shore. The game is the last on the St. Joe’s schedule before beginning Atlantic 10 conference play.

At first…

It seemed like St. Joe’s was going to have an easy time disposing of UMES, holding a double digit lead for most of the first half, leading by as many as 14. With the score 33-20 in favor of St. Joe’s wtih under three minutes to go in the first half, UMES closed out the half on a 13-3 run to trim the halftime deficit to 36-33.

Turning point…

With UMES lingering around St. Joe’s throughout the second half, St. Joe’s senior forward DeAndre’ Bembry pulled off a reverse dunk over multiple defenders to bring the Hagan Arena crowd to their feet and give the home team a 63-56 lead and the momentum that they would need to prevail.

Shining stars…

St Joe’s was led by Bembry who finished with 15 points along with nine rebounds. He was aided by fellow forward Isaiah Miles, who finished with 17 points, 11 of which came in the first half, and six rebounds. Sophomore forward James Demery chimed in 10 points off the bench for St. Joe’s in the winning effort.

UMES was led by its two seniors, starting with senior guard Devin Martin who finished with 23 points on 9-18 shooting. He was helped by forward Dominque Elliot, who finished with 16 points and eight rebounds.

Noteworthy numbers…

This is the first time that St. Joe's has entered Atlantic 10 conference play with 10 wins, since the 2011-12 team, a team that started the season 10-4 before league play. That Hawks team finished 20-14 and lost in the first round of the NIT to Northern Iowa.

Up next…

St. Joseph’s (10-2) at Richmond (8-4) (Jan. 2, 12:30 p.m.)

UMES (3-11) vs UMBC (3-10) (Dec. 31, 12 p.m.)