The Mount Vernon Yellow Jackets (4-2, 2-1) battled all game long with Utica (0-4, 0-1), and while the Redskins hung tight much of the way, Zane Barber and Isaiah Columber combined for 33 points to help secure the 56-43 win on Dec. 19.
"It was a tough, physical game,” said Mount Vernon Coach Nick Coon. “Our players did a good job of keeping their composure and playing good team basketball. We played solid defense and were opportunistic on the offense end to earn a road win.”
Mount Vernon went up 11-6 in the first quarter, led by Columber’s five points. Barber and Andrew Burke each hit a three in the quarter for the Yellow Jackets. Roman Gamble had four points for Utica, while Dylan Yates had two points and a steal in the opening quarter.
It remained fairly even in the second quarter, but Mount Vernon was able to take a 24-16 lead into halftime. Gamble was able to launch a deep three from the top of the arc to beat the buzzer to make it an eight point game. Columber scored nine points and Burke had six points on a pair of threes to lead the way in the first half. Logan Gosnell drained a three for Utica in the second quarter, and Utica was led by Gamble’s seven points.
Both teams came out of the locker room ready to play, with the Yellow Jackets outscoring the Redskins 14-12 to take a 38-28 lead into the fourth. Notably for Utica, Gamble hit a pair of threes from way downtown. One to start the quarter was a pull up from about five feet beyond the arc that was not contested, and the other was at about the same spot, but this time as a step back three with a hand in his face. Both threes were from the beginning part of the center court emblem, showing off his outstanding range from deep. Gamble had eight third quarter points for Utica.
Mount Vernon’s Columber hit a pair of threes and John Marhefka scored all five of his points in the quarter, which included a make from deep.
Barber went off in the fourth quarter for 10 points, hitting six free throws to hep secure the win for Mount Vernon, as they outscored Utica 18-15 down the stretch.
Mount Vernon was led by Barber’s 17 points and four rebounds. Columber had 16 points and also grabbed four boards. Quentin Rowland put up great numbers, just missing a double-double. He had nine points, nine rebound and also found open scorers with six assists. Burke scored nine points and Marhefka had four boards and four assists to go with his five point showing.
Gamble had a game high 19 points with three from deep, continuing what has been a bright spot in an otherwise tough start for Utica to the season. Some of this threes were from another area code, doing his best Steph Curry impression to show off his ability to make it from anywhere. He also had a pair of steals for Utica. Gavin Chinn had seven points and a pair of blocks. Hunter McKinney also had seven points. Logan Gosnell had five points including a second quarter three. Yates had four points and a steal, and Colton Palmer hit a free throw in the fourth. Palmer had a steal, as well.
"We were able to keep it close but couldn’t get over the hump," said Utica Coach Brian Radabaugh. "Seemed like every time we had a chance to cut it really close they would answer. Roman played a good game and is dealing with constant double teams and is the focus of every teams defensive plan."
Both teams shot well at 49% for Mount Vernon and 43% from Utica. The Yellow Jackets hit 44% from three, and Utica was at 33%. The Yellow Jackets led 24-17 in boards and 11-5 in assists, but Utica led 5-4 in steals and 2-1 in blocks. Mount Vernon hit 65% from the free throw line and Utica was close behind at 64%.
The season is young but the Yellow Jackets are off to a solid start. Coach Coon knows the team will need to keep the momentum and keep working to be the best they can be.
“We want to continue to get better with each opportunity that we get to compete together,” Coon said.
