HAVERFORD, PA – Haverford senior forward
co-captain Ray Brown scored a game-high 20 points on nine of fourteen
shooting from the floor and collected seven rebounds, but it was
not enough as visiting Catholic defeated Haverford, 61-55, in
non-conference men’s basketball action Tuesday evening at
Gooding Arena. The Cards improved to 3-0 overall on the season
while the Fords fell to 0-3.
Catholic started the contest off on an 11-0 run over the first
6:09 before Ben McDowell broke the scoreless drought, making a
free throw. Catholic held on to its lead, taking a 29-20 advantage
into the locker room at the half.
Haverford started off the second half on a 10-5 run, cutting the
Cards lead to four at 34-30 just over three minutes into the period.
Catholic was able to extend its lead back to as many as 10 points
with 9:38 left in regulation, however the Fords went on a 9-0
run, highlighted by a three-pointer drained by freshman guard
Matthew Palmer over the next 4:59 to close the deficit to 48-45.
After two made Cards free throws, Palmer hit another three to
pull Haverford within 50-48 with 3:49 left in the game. Catholic’s
Scott Fumai hit a three pointer with 1:54 left to extend the Cards
lead to 54-48, however, senior forward Ray Brown worked his way
into the paint and hit a lay up to get the Fords within four points
at 54-50. However, Catholic made the most of its trips on the
offensive end in the final minutes, and hit the vast majority
to its free throws to secure the 61-55 win.
Freshman guard Matthew Palmer also paced the Haverford offense,
recording nine points, all on three-point baskets. Sophomore guard
Chaz Thomas had eight points and four rebounds in the losing effort.
Catholic was led by Scott Fumai’s game-high 19 points and
Patrick Dwyer who had 17 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Matt
Wasielenko also tallied 11 points in the win for Catholic.
Both teams shot 37% from the floor in the contest, however Catholic
drained 47% of its three-point attempts compared to Haverford’s
22%.
The Fords return to action next Tuesday in
their Centennial Conference opener at Muhlenberg. Tip-off is slated
for 8:00 p.m.
