Men's basketball drops pair of games over the weekend
VINELAND- The start of the 2022 season has not gone how the Dukes expected thus far. Those struggles continued this past weekend as the Dukes dropped two games to both Prince George's Community College and Middlesex College.
Prince George's traveled to RCSJ-Cumberland on Thursday night to take on the Dukes who were looking to bounce back after a close loss to Ocean County. The first half would see the Owls having the upper hand going into halftime, 48-35. The Dukes would use timely shooting and firm defense to come back to tie the game at 74 points a piece at the end of regulation. As a team, Cumberland shot 44.4% from the field and 78.6% from the free throw line. Similar to contests earlier in the season, Cumberland struggled from behind the 3-point line (28.6%). In overtime, both teams had possessions with the lead. Ultimately, the Owls would hold onto a 4-point victory, 89-85. Colin Gill would be Cumberland's leading scorer with 25 points. Ja'maine Hawkins-Davenport would come off the bench and score 15 points.
Two days later, Cumberland would make their first road trip off the 2022 season when they traveled North to Edison, NJ to faceoff against the Middlesex College Blue Colts. The Dukes would again be in a close game that would come down to the 2nd half. Like many of the games that took place earlier this season, the Dukes trailed their opponent going into halftime. The deficit would be 9 points going into the 2nd half. Cumberland would outscore the Blue Colts 30-28 in the 2nd half but it was not enough to claim the victory. The final score would end 58-51 in favor of the Blue Colts. Collin Gill was once again the Dukes leading scorer with 15 points. Malachi Green would come up just short of a double-double with 8 points and 9 rebounds.
Cumberland will try to get back in the win column when they host the Delaware Technical College Spirit on Tuesday night (11-22) at 7PM. For all updates on Dukes men's basketball and all other athletic programs, follow us on all social media platforms (@GoRCDukes).