MIDDLETOWN, Conn. - November 16, 2007 -- Senior guard Jamaal Gibbs (Norwalk, Conn.) poured in a game-high 19 points to lead the Springfield College men's basketball team to a 53-47 win at Wesleyan on Friday evening in the Pride's season opener.
In the final five minutes of the first half, the Pride broke away from an 18-18 tie. Gibbs went on a tear, netting 10 straight points during a 12-2 run to give Springfield a 30-20 halftime lead.
The Pride led by as many as 13 in the second half and held off a late rally by the Cardinals, who cut the lead to three with just 26 seconds to play.
The Pride held on for the victory as Gregg Daly (Farmington, Conn.)and John Strawson (Torrington, Conn.) each hit a pair of free throws to give Springfield the victory.
Gibbs went 3-of-5 from downtown en route to his game-high 19 points to go along with six boards in the contest. Strawson added nine points and six boards while Pat Crean (Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.) chipped in with nine points. Daly finished with eight points in the game for the Pride.
The Cardinal committed 21 turnovers in the game and shot just 24% from the field. Kevin Scura finished with 18 points while Nick Pelletier added 16.
The Pride will square off against Rhode Island College in the Invitational's championship game on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 pm.
Charlie Brock in 2012-13 will enter his 15th season as the head coach at Springfield College and his 33rd season as a head coach overall. Brock’s achievements as a coach are certainly impressive. He has taken three schools to the NCAA Division III Tournament and has an overall, 32-year record of 440-397. Read more.