By: Mike Whaley
RICHMOND, Va. – Wilvens Fleurizard scored with one second to play as No. 10 Penn State Wilkes Barre came from six points down in the final three minutes to upset No. 2 NHTI in the USCAA Division II national tournament on Monday, 85-83.
NHTI led by six (80-74) with 2:56 to play, but could not hold off Penn State, who will play in today’s national semis, 4 p.m., vs. PSU York. NHTI will play a consolation game at 11:30 a.m. vs. Villa Maria.
The game was tied at 39-all at the half. NHTI (20-5) had six players in double figures, led by Joseph Cantey (4 rebounds, 4 assists) and Sterling Blakely (5 rebounds) with 17 points each. Dahsan King added 14 points, Terrian Wester had 11 points and eight boards, while Dontavious Elder and Rahsheen Caulk Jr., each had 10. Fleurizard led all scorers with 24 points and 17 boards.
Rochester freshman Jenna Philbrook played for Southern Maine CC in the women’s tournament. She had seven points, 10 rebounds, five assists and three steals in Sunday’s 64-55 win over Five Towns College. SMCC lost on Monday to Johnson & Wales U., 62-37. Philbrook had six points, six boards, four steals, and three assists. SMCC finishes up its season today in a consolation game vs. PSU Beaver at 1:30 p.m.
On Saturday, the USCAA released its Division II All-American teams. Several players from NHTI and Great Bay CC were honored. Named to the women’s second team was GBCC’s Mary Paradis (Rochester), while Madison Lovely (Fremont) was honorable mention. For the men, NHTI’s Wester and GBCC’s Kingsley Breen (Dover) were named to the D-II first team, while NHTI’s Cantey and GBCC’s Theo Wolfe were tabbed as honorable mention.