Men's Basketball

Reitter's Career-High Propels Men's Basketball To 88-83 Win At Felician

January 10, 2008

RUTHERFORD, N.J.-Junior forward AJ Reitter (Baltimore, Md./Franklin) poured in a career-high 42 points, while grabbing 10 rebounds, for the Post University men's basketball team, in an 88-83 win over Felician College, Thursday evening at Job Gym.

With the win the Eagles improve to 7-7 overall and 4-1 in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC). Felician falls to 6-7 on the season, and 1-3 in CACC play. Post also improves to 2-0 in the CACC North.

Reitter was virtually automatic, as he shot 73.9 percent from the field, hitting on 17-of-23 from the floor. He also drained 4-of-6 from three-point range, and 4-of-5 from the charity stripe. In addition, Reitter pulled down 10 rebounds for his first double-double of the season. His previous career-high came on opening night against Merrimack.

He scored 32 points in the second half, shooting 13-of-16 from the floor and 2-of-3 from three-point range. Five of his seven rebounds in the second stanza were on the offensive glass.

It was the first time a Post University men's basketball player has scored 40 or more points, since Ron Christy had 42 on February 7, 2004 against University of the Sciences. In that game, Christy shot 16-of-20 from the field.

Senior Peter Lawal (Uniondale, N.Y./Uniondale) recorded double figures for the seventh time in the last nine games, with 15 points on 7-of-11 shooting.

Senior swingman Arthur Robertson (Far Rockaway, N.Y./Beach Channel) recorded his third double-double in a row, and fifth of the season with 13 points and 11 rebounds.

The Eagles shot 54.8 percent from the field, connecting on 34-of-62 from the field. Post shot 56 percent from the field in the first half knocking down 14-of-25. The Eagles were equally effective from three-point range connecting on 53.8 percent from distance, hitting 7-of-13, including 5-of-6 in the first half. The Eagles sank 61.9 percent (13-21) from the free-throw line.

Felician shot 43.1 percent (28-65) from the field, 51.6 percent (16-31) from three-point range, and 73.3 percent (11-15).

The Eagles out rebounded Felician 39-31, and held a 13-12 advantage on the offensive glass. Post controlled the inside, outscoring its opponent 44-18 in the paint, and holding a 15-13 edge in second chance points. Post scored 15 points off 12 Felician turnovers.

Felician was led by Devon Young who had a team-high 21 points. Derrell Thomas added 18 points, Jason Romer had 15 and Richard Fegins chipped in with 14.

The game was a see-saw affair, featuring eight ties and 12 lead changes. In the first half, Felician jumped out to a 22-9, after a four-point play from Richard Fegins at the 10:45 mark. But, the Eagles would cut into the lead, with a 9-2 run, capped by a trey from freshman guard Garvin McAlister (Norwich, Conn./N.F.A.), at the 7:12 mark.

Felician would extend its lead to eight, after a tip-in from James Harper. But, a Reitter three-pointer sparked a 13-4 run for the Eagles to take a 31-30 lead with 2:44 left until halftime. Reitter had eight points for the Eagles in that run. Post would go into the locker room leading 36-34.

In the second half, the lead swung back and forth several times, leading to a 77-77 tie with 2:00 left in regulation. Harper tied the game, hitting the first of two free throws. Robertson controlled the rebound and was fouled and calmly made two free throws to give the Eagles a 79-77 lead with 1:52 remaining.

Reitter gave Post a five-point cushion, with his fourth three-pointer of the game with 1:17 left. Senior Lawal capped the 9-0 run for the Eagles with a dunk with 31 seconds left in the contest. Robertson sank four free throws in the final minute to seal the victory for the Eagles.

Post completed a seven-game intersession road trip this evening, finishing the road swing 3-4. the Eagles return to the Drubner Center for the first time in 2008, on January 15, against this same Felician club. Tip-off is slated for 8 p.m.