SWARTHMORE, Pa. - Kicking off conference play with a game for the history books, the Swarthmore men's basketball team took down Muhlenberg College 85-80 on Tuesday, Nov. 22nd.
Offensively, the Garnet saw production across the board, with juniors
Michael Caprise and
Vinny DeAngelo putting up 22 and 20 points respectively, while seniors
Colin Shaw and
George Visconti each contributed 10 points of their own. Caprise also dominated on the defensive end of the ball, notching career high marks of 19 rebounds and two blocks.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Garnet came roaring out of the gate, taking an 8-0 lead before Muhlenberg had the chance to respond. The Mules were kept off the scoreboard through the first four minutes of the game, with Swarthmore firing on all cylinders on both sides of the ball. While the Mules' offense found life over the next few minutes of play, closing Swarthmore's margin to as little as three points with 13:03 left to play, the Garnet erupted once again to regain their sizable advantage. On the back of a 15-point and 12 rebound half from Caprise, Swarthmore went into the half sporting a comfortable 39-27 lead.
- Thanks to points from Corzine and DeAngelo, The Garnet grew their advantage to kick off the second half, leading by a game-high 18 points with just over 16 minutes left to play. However, not content to simply lay down, the Mules fought back, lighting up the scoreboard while Swarthmore's shooting went cold. Despite the Garnet's best efforts, Muhlenberg found themselves ahead 68-67 with two minutes left to play. While a Caprise layup and a DeAngelo triple would recapture and grow the Garnet's lead to 72-69, the Mules rattled in a three with seven seconds left, forcing overtime with the score tied 72-all.
- While Muhlenberg would go up 77-74 early on in OT, threes from DeAngelo and first year
Cal Hanson would swing the pendulum back the way of the Garnet, with Swarthmore up 80-77 at 1:39 left to play. While the Muhlenberg offense fought back, the Garnet's lead proved indelible, with Swarthmore claiming the 85-80 win over their Centennial Conference rival.
- Caprise had a career day, setting new personal highs in nearly every statistical category, including: points (22), field goals made (15), rebounds (19) and blocks (2)
GARNET LEADERS
- Points: Caprise (22), DeAngelo (20), Shaw (10), Visconti (10)
- Assists: Visconti (6), DeAngelo (4)
- Rebounds: Caprise (19), Visconti (7), DeAngelo (6)
- Blocks: Caprise (2), DeAngelo (2), Godfrey (2)
- Steals: DeAngelo (2), Visconti (1), Paquette (1)
UP NEXT
Taking a short break for the Thanksgiving holiday, the Garnet will host Haverford College on Tuesday, Nov. 29th at 8:00 p.m.
