BRONXVILLE, N.Y. - The Sarah Lawrence men's basketball team defeating the visiting Manhattanville Valiants by a score of 55-48 on Wednesday night. The win clinched the program's third consecutive Skyline semifinal appearance, setting up a 2024 semifinal rematch with Farmingdale State College. The Gryphons will travel to take on the Rams on Friday, February 27th for a 7:00 p.m. matchup.
Notable Performers
- Gabe Downes led the team in scoring with 13 points and added eight rebounds
- Chris Dougherty continued a strong stretch with 11 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks
- Eamon Kelly scored 11 points, pulled down seven rebounds and distributed four assists
How it Happened
The Gryphons and Valiants battled closely throughout the first half, with Kelly getting the scoring started before Manhattanville claimed a 6-2 lead. Downes added a score before a triple by
Andrew Kim put the Gryphons back in the lead. Manhattanville maintained a one-possession lead throughout the next few minutes, withstanding a
John Kairouz score as well as five points by
Thomas Matonti. Dougherty tied the game with under three minutes to play before back-to-back scores by Matonti and Downes sent the Gryphons into the break with a four-point advantage. Dougherty got the team going to start the second half, connecting from inside before stepping out for a triple to put the team up 27-18. The visitors continuously closed the gap to just one possession, but Kelly and Dougherty kept the Gryphons ahead. A Kim-to-Dougherty connection for a dunk got the Campbell Sports Center crowd on their feet with 13 minutes to play, putting SLC on top 39-33. Matonti and
Braden Burman each scored to put the team up by double-digits, but a persistent Manhattanville team would not allow the Gryphons to pull away. The Valiants closed the gap to seven points once again, this time met with a Downes triple that put the hosts back up by double-digits. The visitors once again closed the gap to eight points, this time with 2:30 left, but five clutch late-game points from Kelly helped the Gryphons to a 15-point victory that secured a Skyline Semifinal appearance.
Up Next
The Gryphons (16-10, Skyline 12-4) will travel to take on the hosting Farmingdale State Rams on Friday, February 27th for a 7:00 p.m. matchup. The winner of Friday's semifinal matchup will advance to Sunday's championship game against the winner of Yeshiva and Purchase.
