WASHINGTON, DC – The College of Staten Island men's basketball team traveled to Washington, D.C. on Saturday afternoon to face the University of the District of Columbia in an East Coast Conference (ECC) matchup.
After trailing by as many as 12 points at halftime, the Dolphins flipped the momentum in the second half, outscoring the Firebirds 44–27 to secure a 78–73 comeback victory.
Eric Tynes led CSI in the opening half with 11 points, shooting 50 percent (3-6) from beyond the arc. The senior guard knocked down the Dolphins' first basket of the game, but UDC responded quickly, jumping out to a 17–7 lead. An Andrew Benedict bucket in the paint, set up by an Aaron Goldstein steal, helped keep CSI within reach, though the Firebirds continued to press the advantage. UDC pushed its lead to 12 points, 21–9, with 12:30 remaining in the half.
Goldstein connected on a three-pointer to bring CSI into double figures, 23–12, but the Firebirds answered immediately to regain a 13-point cushion. UDC extended its lead to as many as 16 before a late Goldstein three cut the deficit to 12, sending the Dolphins into the locker room trailing 46–34.
Kone took over in the second half, scoring 16 points to fuel the Dolphins' rally. Following a Kone dunk that trimmed the deficit to single digits, 50–42, CSI seized the momentum and closed within five, 52–47. After Mitchell Wiggan converted a pair of free throws, the Dolphins went on an 11–2 run to take their first lead of the game, 62–60, with just over seven minutes remaining.
UDC briefly reclaimed a five-point advantage, but consecutive baskets by Goldstein put CSI back on top, 68–67. Kone followed with two more buckets to give the Dolphins a five-point cushion, 72–67 and with under a minute to play, the Firebirds pulled within two, 73–71, but Joey Poulin sealed the win with a clutch three-pointer. The Dolphins' defense closed out the 78–73 victory forcing a host turnover.
Kone led all scorers with a double-double of 23 points and 16 rebounds, adding three steals then Goldstein followed with 20 points, six assists, and three steals. JJ Chestnut and Tynes each finished with 11 points, with Chestnut also dishing out a team-high seven assists. Poulin recorded a career-high four steals to lead the Dolphins.
The College of Staten Island men's basketball team (7–4, 2–1 ECC) returns home to the Tank on Wednesday, December 17, for a non-conference matchup against Wilmington University (Del.) at 7:00 PM.
GAME REPLAY
