Courtland Bluford leads Greyhounds men's basketball past St. Thomas Aquinas, 87-72, in "new" Laska Gym opener

November 15, 2009

Assumption 87, Saint Thomas Aquinas 72

WORCESTER, Mass. --- Senior guard/captain COURTLAND BLUFORD (Ft. Washington, MD/St. Vincent Pallotti) scored 17 points to pace four double-figure scorers as Assumption College christened the all 'new' Laska Gym defeating non-conference rival Saint Thomas Aquinas, 87-72, in the men's basketball opener for both teams SUNDAY.

Bluford, who shot eight-for-11 from the field was supported by junior forward/captain MIKE BALDARELLI (Sutton, MA/Holy Name) (14 points, 5 rebounds), freshman guard BOBBY HARRIS (Berlin, NJ/Eastern Regional) (12 points) and forward TOBIN HAASE (Southold, MY/Ridgewood, NJ) (12 points, 4 rebounds).

Freshman guard JUSTIN BROWN (Uniondale, NY/Uniondale) led the Spartans with 19 points, while sophomore guard RA'SHAD JAMES (White Plains, NY/White Plains) chipped in 16 points.

Baldarelli was a force in the first half with 12 points including a pair of long three-pointers as the Greyhounds moved to a 44-27 advantage. The Greyhounds aggressive defense limited the Spartans to just a 10-for-27 floor accuracy (.370) and created 11 turnovers in the half.

Leading 35-20, the Greyhounds went on a 11-2 run near the end of the half to effectively take control of the game and led 46-22 with 42 seconds left. Baldarelli scored inside before sophomore guard JASON HOLLOWAY (Long Island City, NY/Bryant) connected on a pair of free throws for the Spartans.

Harris hit a jumper, Haase a move inside, Harris a nifty drive and layin and sophomore forward TIM BEINERT (Floral Park, NY/Holy Cross) converted a conventional three-point play to cap the streak.

The Spartans then got a layup from senior guard VINCENT JOHNSON (Teaneck, NJ/Rice) and a three-pointer by James at the buzzer to cut it back to 19 points, 46-27.

The Greyhounds are next in action WEDNESDAY night when they host Northeast-10 Conference rival Saint Rose at 7:30 p.m.

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