SUFFOLK COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE 

BASKETBALL 

Quarter Final Games
 

Suffolk CC Men, Women Eke Past Foes

Chris Gasiewski, Deirdre Burns
Newsday Staff
March 14, 2003

Lackadaisical play in the second half almost cost the Suffolk CC-Selden men's basketball team a playoff game.

The Clippers held off a late comeback by Brookdale (N.J.) CC to win, 78-75, in an NJCAA Division III national quarterfinal game yesterday at
SUNY-Delhi.

Chris Brown hit three three-pointers in an 18-7 run over a six-minute span to cut Brookdale's lead to 71-69.

"We tried to maintain our composure," Suffolk coach Richard Wrase said. "In the end, we were able to pull it out."

Tamien Trent hit a 17-footer, followed by Russell Brereton's 15-footer as Suffolk (31-1) made it 75-69 with two minutes left. Brown drained
another three-pointer to cut the lead to 75-72 with a little more than a minute left.

Trent was fouled on the ensuing inbounds pass, and made 1 of 2 free throws. Brookdale (27-5) missed a short jumper, then Brereton made two
free throws to make it 78-72.

Robert Varno hit a three-pointer for Brookdale with four seconds remaining. But it wasn't enough as the Clippers advanced to the semifinals to
take on Montgomery College at 6 p.m. today.

"Tomorrow is a new day," Wrase said. "We are hoping to capitalize on our mistakes and play better tomorrow."

Maurice Manning had 19 points, 9 rebounds and 3 steals for Suffolk. Marcele Street had 16 points and 15 rebounds, and Trent 16 points.

"They have been solid all year," Wrase said. "Manning glues it all together. He had a solid performance, and the same goes for Trent."

Brown and Mark Kelly each scored 16 points for Brookdale.

- Chris Gasiewski
Newsday
NJCAA DIV. III

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