New York, New York – BMCC men's basketball coach Tommy Keenan expressed to his team on Tuesday night in conference action that the foundation of their success is built on solid defense, attacking the glass, and taking quality shots. This blueprint led them to six straight victories to close out the 2022 portion of their schedule.
The Panthers rediscovered that identity from the opening tip as freshman Jayden Jarrett (Bronx, New York) put up a game and career-high 23 points and 23 rebounds, powering BMCC to a dominant 88-45 victory over LaGuardia Community College at BMCC Gymnasium. The Panthers snapped their two-game losing streak with the victory improving to 8-6 (6-1 CUNYAC), while the Red Hawks dropped to 1-13 (1-7 CUNYAC) with the loss.
Jarrett makes it back-to-back seasons in which a Panther player has hit the 20-point and 20-rebound plateau after Spencer Barnes achieved that feat last season with a season-high 28 points and 20 rebounds in a 70-64 upset over Nassau Community College to clinch a spot in the Region 15 playoffs. Jarrett's 23 rebounds are four shy of the BMCC's single-game record of 27 set by Jericho Cherisma against Dutchess Community College on January 21, 2017.
The Panthers had five players in double figures for the second time this season, including four of their five starters on the night. Sophomore Adewale Fasanmi (Brooklyn, New York) also had a career night, dropping 19 points and ripping down 13 rebounds. Freshman Ysaia Marte (Bronx, New York) contributed 18 points and led the Panthers defensively with a game-best four steals.
Sophomore Jeremiah Cardi (New York, New York) chipped in with 11 points in the contest, while freshman Boubacar Mbaye (Staten Island, New York) rang up a career-best 13 points off the bench. Freshman Victor Cruz (Brooklyn, New York) served as the chef of the Panther offense handing out a game and career-high nine assists.
BMCC posted five season highs in the contest dominating the rebounding with a season-best 57 boards compared to 22 from Laguardia, including 29 offensive rebounds, also a season-high. The Panthers also registered a season-high 64 paint points as opposed to eight allowed to the Red Hawks while scoring 31 points off of 21 Laguardia turnovers.
The Panthers took care of the ball the best they have all season, committing a season-low eight turnovers and knocking down a season-high 39 field goals in the contest. The Panthers also stifled the Red Hawks defensively all night, holding them to 29.8% shooting (14-of-47), also a season-high.
LaGuardia Community College led for just over three minutes of the contest after a Jonathon Ferguson three-pointer gave them a 3-2 advantage at the 16:46 mark before the Panthers outscored them the rest of the way 38-18 to build a 40-21 halftime lead. The second half was all BMCC as they built their lead to its largest of the night, 43, with 1:18 left on a Marte three-pointer making it 88-45, which they carried to the final buzzer for the win.
Three of the five Red Hawk scorers finished in double figures, led by Timothy Arthur's team-high 15 points, while Jonathan Ferguson and Omaid Noori had 11 and 10 points, respectively. Noori led all players with seven rebounds and tied for another team-best with Arthur in steals with two.
The Panthers will look to make it back-to-back victories for the first time in the second half of the schedule on Saturday, January 28, at 2 p.m. against Region 15 opponent Nassau Community College at BMCC Gymnasium. For more information, visit the BMCC Men's Basketball Schedule Page.
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
The athletic program at Borough of Manhattan Community College encompasses a total of eight varsity teams competing at the NJCAA Division III level. For the latest news on the Panthers, please visit us at https://bmccathletics.com - The official site of BMCC Athletics. Follow the Panthers on Instagram (@bmcc_athletics) and Twitter (@BMCCAthletics), and Like Us on Facebook (BMCC Athletics).
