The Berkeley College men's basketball team had a very successful weekend, winning the Martin Luther King Jr. Classic, hosted by the Apprentice School. This past Saturday, the Knights defeated Thomas Nelson by a score of 94-87, before turning around a day later and defeating the Builders of the Apprentice School by the score of 86-75. With the triumphs, Berkeley has now won four consecutive contests, improving its mark to 10-8 on the 2019-2020 campaign.
On Saturday, in Berkeley's win over Thomas Nelson, senior Nigel Hemingway was sensational, as the sharpshooter scored 18 of his team-high 24 points in the second half. He drained all but one of his attempts from three-point territory, going seven-for-eight from downtown. Daquan Jackson continued his stellar season, as he scored 23 points while posting a team-high eight rebounds, and swatting a game-high three shots, and Joshua Hardy finalized his evening with 17 points, grabbed four rebounds, piled three dimes, and tallied three steals.
Despite the loss for the Gators, Josh Moore was phenomenal for his team, dropping a game-high 40 points, as he drained 13 of his 24 shots attempts (5-10 3PT FG), while also converting on nine of his 11 shots from the charity stripe. He also grabbed seven rebounds, registered four steals, and blocked a shot. Vincent Collins was also very efficient, hitting 10 of his 16 shot attempts to finish with 23 points. He also collected a pair of rebounds, and added two assists.
In a game that featured seven ties and 11 lead changes, both teams were very efficient shooting the basketball. The Gators lost the game despite converting on 54 percent of their attempts from the floor (34-63), while the Knights hit on 44.8 percent of theirs (30-67). Thomas Nelson held a slim 37-34 edge on the glass, and Berkeley tallied 14 assists to Thomas Nelson's 11. The Knights won the turnover battle, committing just 15 compared to 18 for the opposition.
In the Knights victory over the Apprentice School, it was Jackson once again putting together a solid effort, posting game-highs of 21 points and three blocks. He also snatched six rebounds, as well. Turray Bynum converted on all seven of his free throw attempts to finish with 15 for the day. He also grabbed seven rebounds and registered three assists, and Hardy contributed 14 points, seven rebounds, three steals, and two assists.
Despite the loss for the Builders, Corey Joyner posted a double-double with 19 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. His seven assists were also a game-high. Brandon Joyner connected on three shots from downtown, finishing with 14 points, three rebounds, and two steals, and Avin Hawkins and Bryant Fuller finished with 12 and 10 points, respectively.
Berkeley hit on 31 of its 70 shots for the game (44.3 percent), while the Apprentice School converted on 41.7 percent of its shots (25-60). The Builders held a 44-36 edge on the glass, but the Knights won the turnover battle, committing just 13 miscues while forcing 19 follies by Apprentice. Berkeley held a 46-32 advantage in points in the paint.
The Knights will return to the court on Wednesday, January 29, as Berkeley will play host to Washington Adventist. The game will take place at the Borough of Manhattan Community College, and will serve as Senior Night for the Knights. Prior to the game, Deylon Bovell and Nigel Hemingway will be honored by the Berkeley College Department of Athletics.
