Master’s of Dobbs Ferry NY, tied with Hamden Hall for third place in the League, came to play and that was evident in the first half as the Hornets tried to adjust to their taller opponent. Led by two foreign players (6’9 and 6’8 from Africa) Masters kept the Hornets off balance most of the first half as they altered several shots or blocked them with their height advantage and defensive effort led by Abdu Ndalge and Ugu Kaski. The Hornets had problems driving to the baskets and getting the ball inside, but kept driving hopefully to get fouled and force their big men to the bench. The strategy paid off as both players picked up their third foul with a minute to go in the first half. Masters had led by as many as 10 points in the first half of play as the Hornets scratched away at their lead with their big men in trouble. 6’7 Senior Dan Draffan began to make his presence known with 12 points (including 6 for 7 from the charity stripe) and 6’2 Senior TJ Rountree hitting for 10 points and managing the offense, ended the half with Masters Leading 33-32. In the Second half 6’3 Junior Andrew Rice who was the Spark Plug of the Defense and who had three fouls in the first half was back in action after sitting most of the first half . He was now creating havoc for Masters. Andrew had a steal and scored a three point play that put Hamden Hall in the lead 35 to 32 at the start of the secondhalf. Rice had 4 steals and scored 11 points in the second half and was a major problem for the team from the Hudson Valley NY. The game was close as both teams traded baskets. That kept the game at a score of 41 to 40. Then Hamden Hall went on a 12-0 run as one of the big men from Masters fouled out and the second one was to follow two minutes later. Vin Baker Jr. had a great night scoring a double/double for the first time in a HornetUniform with 23 points and 10 rebounds. The 6’7 Junior hit two key three’s (including 16 in the second half) during that run. That kept the pressure on the team from Dobbs Ferry and the score was now 53 to 40 Hornets. Hamden Hall kept the pressure on and increased their lead to 18 points with less than a minute to go and the game ended with the score- 71 52 Hamden Hall. TJ.Rountree in a race to break the School Record held by Assistant Coach Dan Olgesby for three’s in a Season was held Scoreless from the three point arc. He has 56 and the record still stands at 68. It was clear that the Hamden Hall Defense was the difference as they held their Opponent to just 19 points in the Second Half that earned them their 13th victory of the Season. The Hornets have now won eight consecutive games. Box Score: Baker-6-3-2/4-23pts.Draffan-5-0-8/9-18pts.TJ.Rountree-5-0-3/7-13 pts.Rice-5-0-2/4-12 pts.Villano-0-0-2/2-2 pts. Brown-0-0-2/2-2 pts. Wright-0-0-1/21pts. A.Rountree-0-0-0 Walters-0-0-0.M.Wright-0-0-0. Pettway-0-0-0.Schoonmaker-0-0-0 21-3-20/30-71 pts. Leading Scorer-Baker-23 pts. Leading Rebounder-Baker-10 and Draffan-10 Leading Assists-TJ-Rountree-9 Leading Steals-Rice-6 Record 13-4 (7-2) This is a difficult weekend playing Masters Friday Night and again facing the Undefeated St.Luke’s early Saturday afternoon the Next Day. Especially after a week layoff, but that is all part of the game. The Season Continues…………