Durante’s Clutch Three Sinks Navy Prep!

12.11.19

Warwick, R.I. – December 11, 2019: The CCRI Knights men’s basketball team hosted the Naval Academy Preparatory Midshipmen Candidates Tuesday evening. A close battle all the way to the final buzzer was decided by sophomore Dylan Durante (Johnston, RI) hitting the go-ahead three-pointer with seconds to spare. The dramatic win improves CCRI’s season record to 8-4 overall.

After a disappointing weekend, CCRI came into Tuesday’s game looking to get back to winning ways. The Midshipmen Candidates of Navy Prep would offer stiff competition, spreading the floor and playing incredibly tough half-court defense.

The game got off to a slow offensive start as both teams were struggling to score points. Navy Prep had a slightly better time accumulating points, holding a 28-23 lead with just over two minutes left in the first half. CCRI fought back to tie the game up at 29-29 as the teams headed into the locker rooms. Freshman Mikey Gamble (Hartford, CT) led the Knights at the halfway mark scoring eight points from the floor.

The second half saw similarly low scoring to that of the first half. CCRI stayed within striking distance the entire second 20 minutes of the game and tied the game up at 61-61 with 1:27 left in the game. With the clock reading 14.4 seconds remaining the Knights trailed 63-61 and drove the ball down the court. Sophomore co-captain Jeremy Remigio (Providence, RI) took the ball down the right flank and drove to the basket before kicking it out to the left corner for Dylan Durante who knocked down the open three-pointer.

Navy Prep had about five seconds remaining and looked to break out off the corresponding rebound. Heads up play from Mikey Gamble and freshman Steve DelSesto (North Providence, RI) forced the ball loose and CCRI gained possession of the ball and drew the foul with 0.9 seconds left in the game. Gamble, who drew the foul went to the line for one and one, knocking down both shots to give the Knights a 66-63 lead. Navy Prep took a last gasp shot from behind the halfway line but it didn’t fall and CCRI would hold on for the 66-63 win.

The Knights were led by Mikey Gamble scoring 12 points with four assists and two rebounds. Freshman Mitchel Noresca (East Providence, RI) had a career-high 18 rebounds with eight points, two steals and one block. Freshman Reece Bullock (Coventry, RI) registered nine points all from three-point land, nine rebounds and one block. Dylan Durante scored nine points, all from behind the arc and added two rebounds, one steal and one block.

Head Coach Rick Harris commented: “Very rewarding victory for the young men last night coming off our mentally and physically tough weekend at Genesee Community College this past weekend. The game last night vs Navy Prep was the same type of competition that we saw this past weekend and it was great to see our guys respond as they did. It was also nice to be on our home floor where we always seem to be able to raise up our play a notch or two higher.  I felt we definitely competed in a composed manner and played total team ball. 18 assists with just seven turnovers is a strong ratio in a game like last night. The best assist of the night, Remigio to Durante was one I will long remember. I appreciate this team’s dedication to each other and look forward to what the second semester will bring following our wrap up game vs Central Maine this coming Saturday.”

The CCRI Knights men’s basketball will next be in action on Saturday, December 14th at 2:30 p.m. as they host the Central Maine Community College Mustangs.

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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.