Second Half Surge Lifts Men’s Basketball Over Suffolk, 95-91

BEVERLY, Mass. – The Endicott men's basketball team produced a 31-14 run over the final eight minutes of the second half to rally past Suffolk University, 95-91, on Sunday afternoon at MacDonald Gymnasium.

Jordan Pettway (Bridgeport, Conn.) helped ignite the surge with a key layup at 6:45 (80-72) and back-to-back treys at 4:33 (84-78) and 3:34 (84-81), respectively, that swayed all momentum towards the Gulls' favor.

From there, Ty Vitko (Dover, N.H.) compiled eight points down the stretch, highlighted by his three-point dagger with 49-seconds remaining, to lock up the eventual win.

Prior to Endicott's 31-14 run, the Gulls trailed by 13 points (77-64) with 8:07 to go in the contest. It was the largest deficit for the Blue and Green in the entire contest.

Matt McDevitt (Cumberland, Maine) paced all scorers with 26 points (7-12 FG, 6-9 3PT, 6-6 FT) and 10 rebounds (nine defensive).

Meanwhile, Vitko finished with 19 points (6-10 FG, 2-4 3PT, 5-6 FT), six assists, and four caroms.

The Gulls also saw Jalen Echevarria (Lynn, Mass.), Cameron Ray (Lowell, Mass.), and Pettway register 10 points apiece.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• The Gulls' 31-14 run featured eight points each from Pettway and Vitko, seven from McDevitt, five via Echevarria, and three from Billy Arseneault (Lynnfield, Mass.).
• McDevitt and Echevarria bookended the spurt with three-pointers at 7:56 (77-67) and 7:20 (77-70) before closing out the game at the line going a combined 4-for-4.
• Arseneault filled the stat sheet with six points, seven assists, and six rebounds. In an Endicott uniform, Arseneault has logged nine games with seven or more assists.
• Endicott's bench outscored Suffolk, 32-19.
• Both teams featured five student-athletes in double-figures.
• McDevitt registered his fifth career double-double (season-high three in 19-20).

WHAT'S NEXT

Endicott (1-1) and Suffolk's (3-1) next opponents will be announced next week on their respective websites. 

For the latest on Endicott Athletics, follow the Gulls on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

(Photo Credit - Demetrius Kazanas '22)