BASKETBALL ROUND UP
Cedarville takes out Notre Dame in battle of Jamaicans
In past seasons, the Cedarville University vs. Notre Dame College match-up was the highlight of the Ohio NAIA basketball circuit as both teams featured prominent Jamaicans in leading roles. This season was no exception as Notre Dame came into Cedarville with senior center Karim McFarlane expected to battle hometown hero Ricardo Alliman. When the dust had settled it was 18th-ranked Cedarville who came away with a 92-81 victory in front 2,621 screaming fans, including many Jamaicans who made the annual trip to Ohio. They got to see Alliman erupt for a game-high 25 points and 15 rebounds, as he dominated McFarlane, getting the center into early foul trouble. The 6’ 7” forward knocked down 10-of-11 shots from the field and also blocked three shots. His 15 rebounds left him three rebounds shy of 1000 for his career, a feat he hopes to achieve on Thursday when Cedarville (17-8, 9-2 American Mideast Conference) plays host to Shawnee State University.
Louisville beats Rutgers for another Big East win
Center Samardo Samuels had a double-double on Saturday afternoon as University of Louisville easily defeated Rutgers University 76-60 in a Big East Conference encounter. Samuels produced 14 points and 11 rebounds as the Cardinals (15-8, 6-4 Big East) took charge in the second half with a 10-2 run followed by another 8-2 spurt. The game, which was broadcasted live on ESPNU, was of much significance to the Jamaican community as it featured two members of the national team, Samuels and guard Mike Coburn for Rutgers, who had its two-game winning streak snapped.
Tulsa Falls at UTEP in first place showdown
El Paso, TX (02-08-2010): University of Tulsa missed a golden opportunity to become sole leaders of Conference USA when it dropped a 73-59 decision to University of Texas – El Paso on Saturday night. Center Jerome Jordan finished with 20 points and five rebounds as Tulsa fell to second placed in the conference with a 7-2 record. UTEP are the sole leaders of the conference at 8-2. The game was a close affair until UTEP took control midway through the second half and never looked back.
Rogers breakout game helps Valparaiso edge Detroit
Valparaiso, IN (02-08-2010): Junior guard Michael Rogers scored a season-high 13 points to help Valparaiso University edge University of Detroit 74-70 on Saturday afternoon in a Horizon League game. After being on the receiving end of an alley-oop in the final minute of the first half, Rogers exploded in the second half, hitting big shot after big shot at critical times. Valparaiso ran out to a 19-point halftime lead but Detroit fought back to take the lead in the second half, before Valparaiso rallied to move into a tie with Detroit in the league standings. Valparaiso (12-13, 7-6 Horizon) concludes its stretch of three home games in a five-day span this evening against University of Chicago – Illinois.
