M-Basketball: #3 Golden Eagles Fly Past NJCAA DI's Sauk Valley and Malcolm X, Enter Holiday Break 15-1 Overall
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Box Score 2 RVC Men's Basketball, who checked in at #3 in this week's NJCAA DIII National Poll, stretched their win streak to 12 games with road wins at NJCAA DI opponents Sauk Valley Community College and Malcolm X College. The Golden Eagles finish the non-conference schedule 15-1 overall.
"We are obviously excited about where we are at, but we are also far from satisfied," said Head Men's Basketball Coach Evan Lavery. "We constantly stress 1 drill, play, practice, or game at a time. We cannot get caught up in a win streak or a national ranking; things can obviously change very quickly. We need to focus on the task at hand and nothing else."
In RVC's 94-70 win at Sauk Valley Community College, the Golden Eagles jumped out to a 21-5 lead to start the game. The Skyhawks did not give up, though, bringing the game within 2 points midway through the first half. Behind strong defense, a barrage of 3-point field goals from
Elijah Pappas (Rockford, IL), and a ferocious tip slam at the buzzer from freshman Josh Streeter (Rockford, IL), the Golden Eagles took a 48-33 lead into halftime despite having 4 starters with 2 fouls each. RVC took control of the second half right way, executing against the Sauk Valley 2-3 zone. The Golden Eagles connected on 30-51 field goals (58.8%), 14-27 (51.9%) from 3-point land, and 20-24 (83.3%) from the free throw line. RVC never trailed in the contest, and never led by less than 16 in the second half. Darius Branch poured in a game-high 28 points in only 25 minutes. Pappas scored 22 points to go along with 5 assists. Malique Ross and DeAnte Barnes both added 12 points.
In their non-conference finale at Malcolm X College, the Golden Eagles picked up a 77-49 win over the Hawks. RVC's defense was the story in this game, holding Malcolm X to 19-73 (26.0%) shooting from the field and 3-12 (25%) from 3-point land. Despite struggling early only, Branch and Rico Duncan (Noblesville, IN) put on a 3-point shooting display to spark the Golden Eagles to a 41-27 halftime lead. RVC's defense held Malcolm X to only 22 points in the second half, allowing them to stretch their lead out of reach. Branch had a career-high of 33 points, connecting on 10-16 from the field, 6-10 from 3-point land, and 7-7 from the free throw line. DeMari Davis (Indianapolis, IN) added 11 points in the rout.
"We have improved over the course of our non-conference schedule," stated Lavery. "We now enter N4C play where the stakes get higher. Everyone is capable of beating anyone on any particular night. Each team wants the first round bye in the Region IV Tournament. We need to maintain tunnel vision on our goals as a program."
UP NEXT
RVC travels to Joliet Junior College to open up N4C play on Wednesday, January 3rd. Tip off is at 7 PM.
