STATEN ISLAND, NY – The College of Staten Island men's basketball team hosted a non-conference matchup with Wilmington University (Del.) Wednesday evening in the Tank. After trailing 46-39 at halftime, the Dolphins caught fire in the second half, shooting 61% (8-13) from beyond the arc to secure a 93-88 comeback victory and improve to 8-4 overall.
CSI opened the game on a 7-0 run behind Asa Kone and Eric Tynes before Wilmington answered to get on the board. A Joey Poulin three-pointer pushed the Dolphins' lead to 10-2 with just under 16 minutes remaining. Andrew Benedict continued his strong scoring stretch with a pull-up jumper in the paint, and CSI maintained control, stretching the margin to 26-17 following baskets from Aaron Goldstein and Poulin.
Wilmington found its rhythm from long range and cut the deficit to five at 31-26, but Tynes scored back-to-back buckets to keep the Dolphins' lead at nine. After Tynes made it 35-26, the Wildcats closed the half on a 13-0 run to take a 41-37 advantage with three minutes remaining. Benedict added a late basket, but Wilmington knocked down a three to carry a 46-39 lead into halftime.
The Dolphins dominated the second half, outscoring the Wildcats 54-42 behind their hot shooting. CSI connected on 55% (17-31) from the field and a crucial 61% (8-13) from three-point range, building a 15-point advantage with 10 minutes to play. Wilmington mounted a late rally, trimming the deficit to three at 77-74 and eventually tying the game at 80.From there, the teams traded baskets until JJ Chestnut found Goldstein on the left wing for a go-ahead three to give CSI an 85-84 lead. The Dolphins held firm down the stretch to close out the 93-88 victory.
Goldstein led all scorers with 23 points and added six assists. Mitchell Wiggan finished with 18 points, Kone tallied 16 points and a team-high eight rebounds, and Tynes chipped in 15 points with three triples. Chestnut recorded 13 assists, the second-highest single-game total in Division II program history.
The Dolphins return to the Tank on Saturday to host Holy Family University at 3:00 PM.
GAME REPLAY
