Bears Open HVMAC Campaign Manhandling Pratt

The Bears began the defense of their HVMAC title travelling down Willoughby Ave to for an easy 82-46 win over Pratt Institute.  The backcourt duo of Justin Gist (Brooklyn, NY / Newsome) and Ervin Maddox (Staten Island / St. Peter's) led St. Joseph's netting 15 and 11 points respectively.

The Bears, who led all game, dominated in all facets, jumping out to an early 18-4 lead which they extended into a 48-24 halftime advantage.  Coach Joseph Cocozello was able to utilize his entire bench and all 14 Bears scored and saw at least 10 minutes of play.  SJC had their best shooting game from long range, hitting 7 for 16 (43.8%) from behind the arc.  The St. Joseph's defense forced 23 turnovers leading to 30 points and held the Cannoneers to shooting only 24.6% from the field.

Gist shot a perfect 3 for 3 from long range and added a team-high six steals, four rebounds and two assists.  Maddox added two steals, two assists and two boards to his 11 points.  Freshman Roy Wickstrom(Staten Island / St. Peter's) was solid again in the paint coming off the bench, just missing another double-double with at team-high nine boards and eight points.  Freshman point guard Antoine Forehand (New York, NY / Rice) dished out six assists in a reserve role.

The win brings St. Joseph's back to .500 at 2-2 and 1-0 in the Hudson Valley.  Pratt falls to 2-2 and 0-1 in the conference.  The Bears travel to Patchogue on Friday for a doubleheader to challenge the St. Joseph's – LI Eagles for campus bragging rights, the first matchup in nearly 10 years.  The women tip-off at 6:00 PM and the men are scheduled to follow at 8:00 PM.