SALEM, Mass. – After taking a five-point lead at halftime, the Brandeis University men's basketball team missed just 10 of 33 shots in the second, outscoring host Salem State University, 63-36, to cruise to a 97-65 victory in the consolation game of the New England Big Four Challenge today. The Judges improve to 6-3 with the win, while the Vikings fall to 1-8.
After hitting 12-of-26 from the field in the first half (46.2%), the Judges connected on 23-of-33 from the field in the second (69.7%). They were even more effective from 3-point range in the second half, making 15-of-20 (75%) after connecting on just 2-of-10 in the first (20%). By finishing the game with 17 3-pointers, the Judges tied a school record set on Feb. 18, 2016, against Washington University.
Judge junior Chandler Jones (Springfield, Mass./Springfield Commonwealth Academy) led the way with a terrific all-around game. He led the team in scoring for the second game in a row with 26 points, establishing a new career scoring high. He hit 10-of-12 overall, 2-of-3 from 3-point range and 4-of-6 from the line. Jones also grabbed seven rebounds and dished a game- and career-high seven assists. His seven helpers were one short of the entire SSU team. For his efforts, Jones earned a spot on the All-Tournament team.
Also reaching double figures in scoring were a pair of reserve sharpshooters, senior Eric D'Aguanno (Saunderstown, R.I./St. Andrews School) and junior Austin Clamage (Lake Forest, Ill./Lake Forest Academy). D'Aguanno scored 17 of his 21 points in the second half, when he hit 5-of-7 from beyond the arc, after going 1-of-4 in the first. With his six 3-pointers, D'Aguanno is now in sole possession of second place on the Judges' career list with 218 trifectas, 13 behind all-time leader Derek Retos '14. Clamage netted 15 of his 17 points in the final 20 minutes, connecting on 5-of-6 from downtown.
Sophomore forward Nolan Hagerty (Yarmouth, Maine/Yarmouth) led the Judges with 10 rebounds, finishing one basket shy of a double-double with eight points. It was Hagerty's second career 10-rebound game. He also tied a career-high with six assists.
Salem State put three starters in double figures in scoring. Jaden Castillo led the Vikings with 19 points, while Fern Berard had 14 point and Hakeem Animashaun added 11. Animishaun also led the hosts with seven rebounds, while Berard's three assists led Salem State.
The Judges are off until the new year, when they will take on Bowdoin College in Maine on Dec. 2. Start time is 2:00 pm.