Bucknell University Athletics
Bison Cap Perfect Overseas Trip with 89-80 Win over London United
6/2/2005 8:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
June 2, 2005
UXBRIDGE, England -- Charles Lee scored 14 of his game-high 20 points in the fourth quarter and Bucknell turned in a sterling offensive performance in an 89-80 victory over London United Thursday night on the campus of Brunel University. Kevin Bettencourt added 18 points in the final game of the team's overseas tour through Ireland and England, as the Bison finished up with a perfect 4-0 record.
Thursday's opponent was clearly the toughest of the four, as London United featured a multinational lineup with a potent blend of speed, size and long-range ability. Bucknell stunned their hosts with a torrid start, however.
The Bison canned their first seven and 11 of their first 12 shots from the field. Abe Badmus' runner in the lane gave them an early 18-6 lead, and Bettencourt hit two of his four 3-pointers on the night to help stake the Orange & Blue to a 35-26 lead after one 10-minute period. The Bison made 14 of 18 shots from the floor and all five from the free-throw line in the opening quarter.
London United, which was led by 19 points from Peter Deppisch and 16 from Junior Williams, was also hot offensively in the first half. The United made 18 of 29 from the floor in the half and whittled Bucknell's lead down to two before the Bison rallied late for a six-point halftime edge.
After scoring 56 points in the first half, Bucknell managed only nine in a turnover-filled third quarter. The London squad took its first lead of the game at 62-60 on Williams' long jumper with 3:17 left in the third period, and the United led 66-65 after three.
That's when Bucknell's backcourt went to work, taking over the game in the final stanza. Lee opened the period with a 3-pointer, giving the Bison the lead for good. He hit another trey soon after, followed by a two-pointer, all on assists from Badmus. Bettencourt added a pair of field goals, Badmus had a bucket and two free throws and Rob Thomas and Tarik Viaer-McClymont had 3-point play opportunities to help stretch the lead back to as many as 12 in the late stages.
Chris McNaughton had one of his best games on the tour, totaling 16 points on 8 of 10 shooting. He also grabbed six boards as the Bison held a 45-28 rebounding edge (London United didn't grab its first rebound of the night until 7:20 had elapsed).
Bettencourt finished with 18 points, four assists and three steals, while Badmus had 14 points, six assists and five rebounds. Thomas logged eight points and six caroms, while Viaer-McClymont had four points and eight boards. Lee also had eight rebounds to go with his 20 points.
The Bison made 33 of 64 shots from the field, 7 of 17 from 3-point range and 16 of 25 from the line. London United was 26 of 59 from the floor, 9 of 24 from beyond the arc and 19 of 29 from the stripe.
The Bison contingent will fly back to the U.S. on Friday afternoon.
Bucknell 89
Mastropaolo 1-4 1-2 3, Thomas 2-8 4-5 8, Lee 6-13 5-6 20, Brown 2-3 0-0 4, Badmus 5-6 4-7 14, Bettencourt 6-12 2-2 18, Mack 0-0 0-0 0, Morrison 1-3 0-0 2, Niesz 0-1 0-0 0, McNaughton 8-10 0-0 16, Viaer-McClymont 2-4 0-3 4, Totals 33-64 16-25 89.
London United 80
Mull 3-3 1-1 8, Joseph 1-2 0-0 2, Fredericks 2-4 0-2 4, Raimon 0-1 1-2 1, Jagodka 4-11 0-1 9, Williams 4-9 7-9 16, Saloman 1-4 2-2 4, Van Elswyk 3-7 0-0 7, Deppisch 6-11 3-4 19, Pawel 1-3 2-2 5, Mumuni 1-4 3-6 5, Totals 26-59 19-29 80.
Halftime: Bucknell 56, United 50. 3-Point Goals: Bucknell 7-17 (Bettencourt 4-8, Lee 3-5, Thomas 0-3, Niesz 0-1), United 9-24 (Mull 1-1, Raimon 0-1, Jagodka 1-5, Williams 1-3, Van Elswyk 1-1, Deppisch 4-8, Pawel 1-3, Mumuni 0-2). Rebounds: Bucknell 45 (Lee, Viaer-McClymont 8), United 28 (Fredericks 6). Assists: Bucknell 19 (Badmus 6), United 12 (Pawel 3). Steals: Bucknell 13 (Bettencourt 3), United 8 (Van Elwyk, Deppisch 2). Fouled Out: None.
