The Hawks headed north today, for the second of two games on the road, in 48 hours for the green and white. Despite the long trip. the Hawks came out blazing to start the game, going up 17-0 to start the game. But the Saints fought back and showed the Hawks that they were not going to go away easily. The Saints battled back to make the sc0re 17-9 before the Hawks battled back once again.
An individual 9-0 run by Jalen Bradberry midway through the first half gave the Hawks some more separation, but the transition scoring of North Country kept them hanging around late into the first half. A few Lateef Johnson baskets, and a deep three from Sophomore sharpshooter Tyruse Boock, gave the Hawks a 38-30 lead heading into the half.
As the second half started, Mohawk came out on a 6-0 run to take a 14 points lead off of an athletic tip dunk by 6'10 wing Isaiah Earl, but thats when the Saints took a time out and began attacking the Hawks relentlessly with efficient ball movement and high level defense. A 20-5 run gave the Saints a 1 point lead with just 11 minutes left, and the next 2 minutes saw the North Country Saints take a 9 point lead with just 8 minutes remaining. The Hawks took a timeout to talk thing over and make a few adjustments.
Out of the timeout a deep three by Tyruse Boock, a straight line drive from Lateef Johnson, and a timely 3 by Gabe Canez, paired with the Mohawk pressure defense, tied the game up with just 4 minutes remaining in the contest. Ultimately the Hawks ball movement, and relentless timely defense, secured the victory for the Hawks in the final moments by a final score of 84-82.
Jalen Bradberry led the way with his second consecutive 30 point performance, and dished out 8 assists as well., Tyruse Boock scored 25 points, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds, and Lateef Johnson scored 17 points to go with 13 rebounds for another double double. Isaiah Earl was a huge factor again for the Hawks as his 14 points, 13 rebound double double gave the Hawks a great boost on the interior.
"Playing the second day of a back to back, both long road trips, really reveals character. We talk alot about the difference between playing hard vs. competing in our locker room. Tonight we competed our tails off and were really connected and ready to be at our best when our best was required, in those final moments especially. We have test on Sunday afternoon to close out the semester against a talented Jefferson group and I know every one in our locker room is excited to get back out there and compete after a couple days of focused work."- Coach Harley Fuller said following the victory.