Staten Island, NY | The College of Staten Island men’s basketball team won their fifth straight tonight after Stephen Flagg scored a career-high 22 points. CSI won 99-67, their highest point total of the season. The win bumps the Dolphins up to 9-7 overall and 7-1 in the CUNYAC. For the Bulldogs, it marks their third straight loss as they drop to 3-13 on the year and 3-5 within the CUNYAC.
Adeola Latunji once again scored the opening bucket with a drive to the hoop, however, it was the Bulldogs that ripped off a 7-0 run to take a five-point lead over the Dolphins. Staten Island would respond well as they would take over the lead just minutes later when Latunji stole the ball and sprinted down the court and threw down a two-handed jam, which has become the norm for him. Flagg extended the Dolphins’ lead to eight after collecting back-to-back buckets when he was able to penetrate the lane with ease.
Jade Spencer prevented the Bulldogs from eating into the Dolphins’ lead as he protected the rim when led to him receiving a pass in the paint for a nice layup to put the lead at double digits. Christian Taylor has been having an outstanding sophomore campaign and it continued tonight when he scored 16 points on 8-of-11 shooting from the floor.
At the half, the Dolphins dominated the Bulldogs in the paint, outscoring them 40-14 and creating 12 points off of turnovers. Staten Island also got production from their bench in the first as they outscored Brooklyn’s 14-5.
Raymond Savage started the second half off right for the Dolphins when he stole the ball and pushed the ball down the court. Edin Bracic was the recipient of a pass from Taylor which extended the lead to 16 for the Dolphins. Solid inside the paint play for the Dolphins would keep the Bulldogs from getting second-chance opportunities which would keep them from chipping away at the lead.
As the game went into the final six minutes, Staten Island ripped off a 12-0 run led by Flagg and James Delahanty who combined for 9 of the 12 points. The Dolphins shot well as a team tonight, shooting 57% for just the second time this season. When shooting 50% from the field or better the Dolphins are 4-0.
Latunji finished the game with 20 points and 12 rebounds, for his second double-double of the season while Taylor finished with 16 points and five assists. Spencer was second on the team with eight rebounds tonight to go along with seven points.
The Dolphins will return to action on Saturday, January 20 when they host York College in another CUNYAC Matchup at 1:00 pm. Staten Island leads York 65-23 all-time and has won the last five meetings against the Cardinals.
GAME VIDEO
