NORTH COUNTRY 92, BROOME 80
BINGHAMTON — The Saints received a huge boost from their bench as they knocked off the Hornets in men's basketball.
Thomas Barnes led the charge for North Country (4-3) with 19 points. Ivan Grcic added 17 points and 13 rebounds, while Michael Boyea tossed in 12 points and dished out five assists.
Daniel Trentsch delivered 11 points and Clement Gibson had eight points and five assists.
"We got down early when they pounded it inside to (Eric) Edwards, who is 6-7 and really good," Saints coach Chad LaDue said. "We got out of man and went to zone, which got us back into it.
"We went into the locker room up eight, but they took a five-point lead with about 11 to go. We went on a nice run where our bench came up big for us. We had 43 points from our bench (Saturday)."
"I thought this was one of the best team efforts I have seen (at North Country)," LaDue said. "We had different guys stepping up and three non-starters playing the final eight minutes because they were playing the best.
"What I enjoyed the most was seeing the reactions from our starters that were enjoying the success of their teammates. I was pleased with how the starters who didn't finish behaved. They truly understood what was best for Saints basketball."
North Country traveled to Tompkins Cortland Community College the following day.
After an opening few minutes that saw the Saints take a 10-8 lead, TC3 went on a 26-5 run propelling them to 40-23 lead at the half.
In the second half, North Country managed to cut the Panthers lead to ten point...s at 64-54 with six minutes left, but TC3 responded with two quick baskets to spread the margin to 14. The advantage remained above ten the rest of the way, stretching to the final 22-point margin thanks in part to 9-of-10 free throw shooting over the final two minutes.
Thomas Barnes had 12 points for the Saints, while Ege Cinel chipped in with 11.
North Country will now take their Thanksgiving break before returning to the court on December 7th, when they host Onondaga CC. Game time is slated for 3 p.m.
