Mens Basketball triumphant in battle at Atlantic Cape, 79-73

VINELAND - Dukes Mens Basketball has always had trouble at Pitney Hall, the home venue for the Atlantic Cape Buccaneers.  Prior to last night, the Dukes have won just two games at Pitney Hall over the previous 9 seasons.  In the early going of their matchup this season, it looked as if history would repeat itself as the Dukes found themselves down by double digits as they struggled against the high-pressure Buccaneer defense.  Vance Brown entered the contest and immediately leveled the Dukes out with a pair of 3-pointers to bring the Dukes back into the game.  Brown finished with 13 points, 7 assists, and 5 steals off the bench.  Brown's steal and lay-in with 3 minutes left in regulation gave the Dukes a 71-69

Jameel Purnell and Jamaal Davis got into the groove.  Purnell was relentless on the defensive end once again grabbing 10 of his 14 rebounds on the defensive glass, nabbing 5 steals, and swatting 5 blocks.  On the offensive end, Purnell scored from all over the floor shooting 50% from the field and from the beyond the arc.  He would finish with 23 points, 14 rebounds, 5 steals, and 5 blocks. 

Davis was dominant in the paint and was clutch at the free throw line.  His layup at the halftime buzzer to even the score at 38 was a turning point for the Dukes as the Buccaneers made a run to take a 12 point lead before the Dukes made a furious run at the end of the half that culminated in Davis's layup.  His dominance led to multiple Atlantic Cape defenders into foul trouble that proved key at the tail end of the game.  Davis finished with 21 points, 10 reounds and 2 blocks.  Most importantly, he was 7-9 from the free throw line including clutch free throws at the end to put the game out of reach.

Defensively, Darell Newton, Jacori Williams, Ahzae'ah Woodard, Ahmad Woodard, and Levar Price went toe to toe with Atlantic Cape's high-octane offense in one of the toughest places to play in Region XIX.  They would help keep the Bucs in check that allowed the Dukes to eventually take the lead for good with less than 5 minutes left in regulation.