Box Score BOX SCOREACPHS fell behind early and made a late push, but went down 83-74 at the hands of the #1-ranked Berkeley Knights today at Albert M. White Gymnasium. With the loss, the Panthers drop to 6-9 and 4-2 in the HVIAC, while Berkeley improves to 14-1 and 4-0 in the league.
The Knights were hot at the outset, with Dondre Simmons going 4-4 for 11 points within the game's first six minutes. The Panthers weren't able to get much going offensively, getting no contribution from their bench in the first half. Berkeley on the other hand received 19 of their 40 first half points from their bench. They were able to open up their largest lead of 17 with just over five minutes to go. The Panthers leaned on their stars to try and get them back in the game. Sophomore
Alex Johnson (Malone, NY) led ACPHS with 13 points and five rebounds in the half, with sophomore
Brandon Votra (Saint Regis Falls, NY) chipping in eight points. The Panthers also struggled from the line, going just 4-10 (40%). Berkeley would go into the half with a 40-27 lead.
The Panthers were able to make it a game in the second half, even coming as close as four with five minutes left in the game. They could not quite get it done though, but did hold their own against the top team in the nation. Johnson, Votra, and freshman
Thomas Chalker (Metuchen, NJ) all had huge games for ACPHS. Votra finished with a game-high 30 points, and added 11 rebounds. Johnson had 21 points, with seven rebounds and three steals. Chalker had 21 points and six assists, with 19 points coming in the second half. The Knights had five players in double figures, with Johnnie Green's 18 leading the way. Keenan Langston was solid as well, going for 12 points and 12 boards.
The Panthers are still in the hunt for the HVIAC playoffs, and will look to improve their record this Friday February 5
th when they take on SUNY-Delhi at 8pm. Berkeley looks for their 15
th straight win this season next Thursday February 4
th at home against Pratt.
