Saints Drop Continentals, 68-53
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Whit Haynes '10Sophomore Ralph Temgoua posted a team-high 16 points against Hamilton Saturday.
Jan. 30: The St. Lawrence men's basketball team shot over 50% from the floor, Saturday afternoon to top conference opponent Hamilton College, 68-53 in the Burkman Gymnasium.
The Saints improve to a 9-9 (5-2) overall record, while the Continentals fall to a 7-10 (3-4) mark.
Sophomore Ralph Temgoua led the Saints with 16 total points, shooting 6-of-10 from the field, trailed closely by classmates Garrett Sharlow (12 points) and Terry Parham (11 points). Temgoua also earned a game-high ten rebounds, while senior captain Andy Hoercher picked up a team-high four assists and senior captain Josh Sharlow posted a game-high two steals. Hamilton's Pat Sullivan led his team with 22 points off 10-of-13 shooting and eight rebounds, while teammate Jay Simpson earned a game-high nine assists.
The Continentals maintained the advantage for the majority of the first half, leading by as much as eight points with 12:23 on the clock after Ephraim McDowell sunk a three. However, the Saints were able to work their way back, cutting the deficit to one as Garrett Sharlow nailed a shot from beyond the arc, while Parham and rookie Nick Meunier hit a pair of layups. With 3:33 left to play in the frame, Josh Sharlow sunk back-to-back free-throws to give St. Lawrence the lead for the first time in the half and spark an 8-0 run for his team. The Scarlet and Brown led by nine points with a score of 31-22 as the clock hit the two minute warning. Hamilton's Dayne Harris managed to hit one last jump shot before both teams entered the locker room with a score of 31-24.
St. Lawrence took the momentum they gained in the closing minutes of the first half, and ran with it into the second frame. With roughly eight minutes gone, St. Lawrence earned a 14 point lead as Temgoua calmly nailed a three. The Continentals were never able to get within 15 points of the Saints for the rest of the game. With 6:13 left in regulation, St. Lawrence earned their largest lead of 22 points as the trio of Parham, Garrett Sharlow and Josh Sharlow sent fans screaming when they moved out on a 7-0 run. To add to the enthusiasm, the Saints' rookies put on an exciting finale. Although Hamilton was able to cut the deficit to 15, Kyle Miller drained a three, while Meunier slam dunked the ball to hand St. Lawrence the 68-53 victory.
The Saints will host North Country rival Clarkson University Tuesday, February 2nd in the Burkman Gymnasium. Tip-off is set for 8:00 pm.