Box Score

IMMACULATA, Pa.- After dropping their past two Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC ) games following a 5-0 start in league play, the Immaculata men's basketball team (8-7, 6-2 CSAC) was hoping to get back in the win column, and behind a stifling defensive effort, the Mighty Macs topped Centenary (7-8, 4-4 CSAC) by a score of 66-48 on Monday night at Alumnae Hall.
 
Senior Mamadou Diakite had 20 points, including 16 in the first half to help Immaculata top the Cyclones.  Junior guard Rodney Duncan had 16 points and three assists, including three big three pointers, and junior Ron Melton chipped in with 14 points, a team-high seven boards, and four steals.
 
The Mighty Macs forced 22 Centenary turnovers and held the Cyclones to just 36% shooting (16-for-44).
 
Immaculata establish control late in the first half and never looked back.  Centenary held a one-point lead at 11-10 with 8:47 to go before halftime when the Mighty Macs grabbed the lead with a 10-0 run and never let it go.  Duncan and Melton had lay-ups and after a free throw by junior Tony Calamaro, Diakite took over by scoring the next 12 Mighty Mac points, including his first three-pointer of the year.
 
Following a lay-up by sophomore Roy Ferrell Jr., Diakite added a pair of free throws to cap his 16-point first half and the Mighty Macs took a 31-19 lead to the locker room.  Centenary made just six shots in the first half, as Immaculata's defense was suffocating.
 
After the break, the Mighty Macs grew their lead to 16 at 37-21 on a three ball from sophomore Matt Simon (7 points).  The Mighty Macs continued to hold a 13-point lead at 44-31 until the Cyclones scored nine straight to make it 44-40, the closest they would get the rest of the way.
 
The Mighty Macs responded with an 8-0 run, highlighted by a steal and dunk by Calamaro, as IU extended their lead comfortably back to 52-40 with six minutes to go.  Immaculata knocked down free throws down the stretch to clinch the victory.
 
Immaculata will now host Neumann on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Alumnae Hall in the second game of their three-game home stand.