FEBRUARY 3 – RAMSEY, NJ – The Crusaders looked for their 18th win of the season entering Tuesday night's Big North Conference showdown with Don Bosco Prep.  As important, they hoped to win their fifth BNC United game against no defeats.  The outcome looked shaky as the Dons leapt to a 10-point first quarter lead.  BC pressured the Ironmen full-court throughout the game and the constant pressure and depth off the bench closed the gap to 4 points at half 34-30.
     As the teams took to the court for the third quarter, BC was shooting on a rim that is often unfriendly to opponents.  Junior point guard Alex Mazzella looked very comfortable, however, burying three after three after three.  The sharp-shooter finished with a career-high, game-high 20 points, 18 points coming off three-point baskets.  Mazzella assisted on 9 hoops as well as grabbed a pair of boards.
     Jaden Brown was explosive, with 19 points and a big-time slam dunk and Julius Avent added 15 points and 8 rebounds.  Sean Forbes had another strong outing, scoring 8 points including four-for-four shooting from the line.  Add in four rebounds and four assists plus great defensive hustle for another quality start for the sophomore guard.
     The big men, Brandon McMillan, Owen Wucherpfennig and Kieran Quinn were solid, controlling the Dons' inside big man.  Wucherpfennig blocked three shots and grabbing 6 rebounds.
     Jahlil Owusu had a strong outing.  He had three rebounds and three assists.  A strong team effort translated to a 72-54 victory over the Ironmen as the Crusaders improved to 18-3 on the season.
 
COACHING MILESTONE:  Coach Billy Armstrong reached a milestone as the Crusaders under his direction won game #300.  Coach Armstrong has the second most all-time wins as a BC basketball coach behind his former coach, Christopher "CJ" Donfield, after whom BC's basketball court is named.  Coach Donfield's record of 645-230 yielded a .737 winning percentage.  Coach Armstrong is now 300-101 (.748) since taking the helm in 2011-2012.

WINNING STREAK:  With the win, BC has 17 consecutive in-state victories dating back to a late season loss at St. Rose in Belmar last February.

BC-BOSCO RIVALRY:  BC improved its advantage over Don Bosco to twelve games - 77-65 (.542) in a rivalry that dates back to December 13, 1957.
 

TEAM	1	2	3	4	FINAL
BC (18-3)	10	20	26	16	72
DBP (9-10)	20	14	9	11	54

 

NAME	2PT	3PT	FTM	FTA	PTS	REB	AST	BLK	STL
Julius Avent	6	0	3	4	15	8	1	1	0
Marcus Brown	1	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0
Alex Mazzella	1	6	0	0	20	2	9	0	1
Jaden Brown	5	2	3	4	19	2	6	0	1
Sean Forbes	2	0	4	4	8	4	4	0	2
Jahlil Owusu	0	0	0	0	0	3	3	0	0
Brandon McMillan	1	1	0	0	5	5	0	0	0
Owen Wucherpfennig	0	0	1	2	1	6	1	3	0
Kieran Quinn	1	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0
Shane Jacobs	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Totals:	17	9	11	14	72	30	24	4	4