Press Releases

December 16, 2003

Southampton College Men’s Basketball Team Picks Up First Win of the Season
Colonials Defeat Dowling College to Net Their First Conference and Overall Victories

Contact:
Seth Hurley (pr@southampton.liu.edu)
631-287-8313

Southampton, NY — Wednesday night was "Colonials Holiday Hoops Madness" at Southampton College and that was just what the men’s basketball team needed to defeat Dowling College 81-74 and pick up their first victory of the season bringing their overall record to 1-3, 1-2 in the NYCAC.

The victory was also their first in the conference and a much needed one for the up and coming Colonials. "We’re glad to get this win under our belts and I think it’s the jump start we needed to pick up some momentum for the season," stated head coach Pete Quinn.

The Colonials had not one, but many stars shining on the court in this game. Junior Leon Pursoo posted a double-double for the team with 15 points and 10 assists. He also had two slam dunks, racked up three steals and two blocks in his 38 minutes on the court. In fact the entire team grabbed an impressive ten steals compared to Dowling’s three. Junior Tafare Berryman was the leading scorer for the Colonials with 23 points. He also pulled down ten rebounds, another double-double, in stellar offensive and defensive efforts.

In fact Berryman is one of the hottest players in the Northeast Regional Conference, ranked ninth in scoring with 19.3 points per game and seventh in rebounding with 10 boards per game, an average of a double-double every time he steps on the court. Senior Jye Watson followed with 17 points and sophomore Wayne Inniss added 14 points, five assists, and three steals of his own. Four players scored in double digits for Southampton College and that is a sure sign of things to come.

Coach Quinn, who picked up his first collegiate victory, has high hopes for the team. "The guys have been improving, and we’ve got the Assumption Tournament right after Christmas where we’ll be facing two nationally ranked teams. I schedule these tough games for a reason, to make us better."

Indeed they have some tough games ahead, but the next match scheduled for the men is on Saturday, December 13^th, against Concordia College. With a win there the men can bring their conference record to an even .500 and begin to improve their way towards a playoff bound future. The team will take on the Assumption Tournament next in Worcester, Mass.