Lewis Liquidates Mustangs with Last Second Three!

12.16.19

Warwick, R.I. – December 16, 2019: The CCRI Knights men’s basketball team hosted the Central Maine Community College Mustangs on Saturday afternoon. For the second game in a row, a sophomore would win CCRI the game in the final moments. Co-captain Elijah Lewis (Bridgeport, CT) drained a fade away three-pointer with 0.6 seconds left on the clock. The win improves the Knights’ season record to 9-4 record overall and 6-0 in Region XXI play.

The final game of 2019 for the Knights saw the Central Maine Mustangs come south to the Vincent A. Cullen Field House for an afternoon showdown. The first half was a close battle for the full 20 minutes. The Mustangs led early, ahead of the Knights 16-11 with 13:54 left in the first half. CCRI shared the ball well with three Knights scoring eight points apiece from the floor.

Sophomore co-captain Dylan Durante (Johnston, RI) drained two three-pointers and added one mid-range jumper for his eight points. Freshman Mitchel Noresca (East Providence, RI) and Elijah Lewis both registered their eight points from within the arc, scoring four field goals each. The first half scoring was led by Central Maine’s Saikwon Williams who scored 10 points from the floor. At the halftime, CCRI came back and led 45-39 over the Mustangs.

Central Maine came out strong in the second half. Led by a game high 26 points from Saikwon Williams the Mustangs would hold the point advantage for much of the second half. Just behind him was fellow Mustang Mark McDonald who tallied 22 points to boost Central Maine. CCRI was always within striking distance and trailed by only one point, 68-67 with eight minutes left in the game.

The game was tied at 87 points apiece with 1:49 left on the clock, this was when the sharing of the ball and hence the scoring showed its immense importance. Five Knights hit double-digit scoring and made life terribly difficult for the defending Mustangs. Central Maine also had success scoring and were level with CCRI with just a few seconds remaining, 89-89.

Up steps Elijah Lewis. Looking to set up the buzzer beater. Central Maine beat the high pick that was meant to give space to Lewis. Forced to adjust, Elijah pulled up from 25 feet and sent a dagger through the Central Maine hearts as his shot drained through the center of the rim. The buzzer sounded but the officials deemed that 0.6 seconds be added to the clock. On the ensuing rebound, the Mustangs could not retain possession and CCRI would win the game 92-89.

The Knights’ offense was led by Elijah Lewis with 18 points including four 3-pointers, five rebounds and four assists. Freshman Mikey Gamble (Hartford, CT) also tallied 18 points including two 3-pointers with four rebounds. Mitchel Noresca registered a career high 16 rebounds with 14 points and three assists. Sophomore co-captain Jeremy Remigio (Providence, RI) contributed 12 points, seven assists and four rebounds. Freshman Tyreek Davis (Wallingford, CT) chipped in 10 points and three rebounds from the bench.

Head Coach Rick Harris commented: “Great ending to our first semester schedule today. Our guys really came up with some amazingly big plays down the stretch. We needed every one as Central Maine played an outstanding game and did all they could to win the game. Coming back from 8 points, down the stretch, and Elijah Lewis hitting that step back three-pointer showed how far this team has come and definitely was an early Christmas present to all of us. Men’s basketball wishes all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2020.”

The CCRI Knights men’s basketball team will next be in action on Saturday, January 4th at 3:00 p.m. as they travel to South Portland, Maine to take on the Seawolves of Southern Maine Community College.

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The Community College of Rhode Island, New England's largest comprehensive community college, enrolls nearly 15,000 students in credit courses and thousands more in non-credit and job training classes. Its athletic program boasts 12 varsity programs and an academic support program for all student-athletes.