By Chris Stevens, Editor
Sixth seeded Saint Mark’s got contributions from everyone during Thursday’s DIAA boys’ basketball tournament second round game against Appoquinimink and as long the game went, they truly needed.
A huge block by sophomore forward Alassan N’Diaye and two second-chance free throws for Mikey Friend were the difference as the Spartans survived a 64-61 double overtime game against the No. 11 Jaguars.
“This was a good win for us, but we have to put this behind us,” said Friend of the Spartans’ next challenge – a trip to No. 3 seed Middletown in Saturday’s quarterfinal round. “We have to move on to the next one and keep pushing.”
There was a lot of pushing on both sides a give-and-take game lasted 40 minutes leaving players, coaches, officials and spectators waiting for the next turn.
Appoquinimink (14-8) jumped out to a 24-18 lead at halftime behind three-point shots from Rey Carrier and Riley Buzby, only to see Saint Mark’s (17-4) respond with a 26-point second quarter keyed by seven points from Christian Taylor and a huge three-pointer from Tariq Warner to end the third with the Spartans ahead 44-40.
The fourth quarter was back and forth until N’Diaye (game-high 22 points) corralled a loose ball and stepped through some tough defense by Buzby to tie the game at 56. The Jaguars held for the last shot and after a wilds scramble, Kaleb Ra’lfa’s heave rattled in and out to send the game to overtime. Chase Wright made a three-pointer to give Saint Mark’s the lead, but a Daniel Harvey dive to the rim tied the game at 60 and forced another OT.
Neither team made a field goal as the Spartans made four foul shots to Appoquinimink’s one. Friend’s two clutch free throws came after he’d missed a pair. His second chance was sponsored by N’Diaye, who blocked Harvey’s layup attempt with 30 seconds left.
“I just had to lock in and focus on making the next two,” Friend said.
Said N’Diaye of his block, “I knew he [Harvey] was going to go left so I just stayed on the right side of the rim and prepared for the block.”
After Friend’s foul shots made it 64-61 Saint Mark’s, Harvey found Buzby, who shook off a defender and got a good look at the tying shot. It was off to the left a bit and N’Diaye grabbed the rebound and sent the Spartans to the Elite Eight.
