Galloway, NJ – Stockton University (24-5) moved on to the NCAA Division III Tournament Sweet 16 with a thrilling 68-65 win over the University of Mary Washington (20-9) on Saturday night.
Kyion Flanders (Wildwood/Wildwood) led a balanced scoring attack with 14 points to lead the Ospreys.
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The Eagles started quickly, leading by as many as eight points but could not shake the determined home squad. Stockton took their first lead of the game at 25-24 on the strength of a 10-4 run over a span of just under four minutes capped off by a three-pointer by
DJ Campbell (Vineland/Vineland) with 3:30 remaining until half.
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The margin was short-lived as Mary Washington reclaimed the advantage with a 7-2 run to end the half, leading 31-27 at the break. Stockton struggled from the field in the first 20 minutes of play, shooting just 36 percent (9-25) including 3-14 (21.4%) from behind the arc.
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The Ospreys came out of the locker room on a 7-0 run with
Rynell Lawrence (Millville/Millville) banging in a pair of three-pointers for a 34-31 lead for the home team. The Ospreys extended the lead to 43-38 with 14:56 left in regulation before the Eagles caught up. An 8-0 run made it 44-43 in favor of the Eagles with over 11 minutes remaining.
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The teams traded baskets until the Ospreys took the lead on a
Tayvon Gaither (Mt. Laurel/Lenape) basket for a 61-60 lead. The final 4:51 was a tense affair with numerous missed opportunities on both ends.
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A pair of free throws by
Kadian Dawkins (Eastampton/Rancocas Valley) put Stockton ahead 63-60, but UMW's Zack Blue answered with a three-pointer to tie the game 63-63. On Stockton's next possession, Flanders drained a clutch three-pointer with 1:56 left that gave Stockton the lead for good at 66-63.
Each team sank a pair of free throws the rest of the way as the Ospreys held off Mary Washington 68-65.
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Seven Ospreys scored at least six points or more, with Campbell and Dawkins adding 13 and 10 points, respectively.
Jonathan Azoroh (Ewing/Ewing0 grabbed seven rebounds, with Dawkins pulling down six boards and dishing four assists.
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Greg Rowson led all players with 17 points and eight rebounds for Mary Washington. Dashawn Cook and Daniel Peterson added 12 and 11 points, respectively. Peterson topped all players with five assists and grabbed five boards as well.
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Stockton will face Nichols College (Mass.) March 10 for the sectional round at a site and time to be determined.
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