Second Half Rally Falls Short Against Morrisville State

MORRISVILLE, N.Y. – Despite outscoring the host Mustangs in the second half, the Wells College men's basketball team posted a 77-65 loss to Morrisville State College Wednesday evening. With the loss, the Express drop to 9-13 overall and to 5-7 within North Eastern Athletic Conference play. Morrisville State, winners of 13 out of their last 14 games, improves to 16-5 overall and to 10-2 within league play.

Junior Jonathan Hurtado (Brooklyn, N.Y.) led the way offensively for the Express, scoring 22 points and adding two assists and two steals. Classmate E.J. Taylor (Tampa Bay, Fla.) tallied 19 for the Express, securing three steals to lead the team in that category. Taylor also added five three-point baskets to his offensive cadre. Defensively, junior Jonathan Bonds (Chicago, Ill.) led the way with 14 total rebounds to his credit.

The Express allowed the host Mustangs to open up three separate 18 point leads in the first half with the latest coming following a Rhamel Williams three-point basket with 53 seconds remaining in the half, lifting Morrisville to a 47-29 lead. Despite facing a game-high 24 point deficit early in the second half, the Express attempted a rally near the midpoint of the second stanza.

With 12:18 remaining in regulation time, Taylor poured home two three-point baskets and a layup within 1:17 to turn a 21 point lead into a 13 point lead. Later in the half, two successful free throws by Hurtado cut the deficit to 11 but a Jailaan Kinsey three-pointer reestablished a comfortable lead for the hosts that they would not relinquish for the remainder of the contest.

The Mustangs hammered home 12 three-point baskets, the most successful attempts by any Express opponent on the season. Mickey Davis led the way with 17 points, pouring home three shots from beyond the arc. Jordan Prior led the team with four three-pointers, securing 16 points for the Mustangs. Williams, who scored 13 total points, led the way with a team-best five assists for Morrisville.

The Express return to action Saturday, Feb. 9 as they travel to play SUNY Cobleskill in a 3:00 p.m. road contest. Stay up to date with the latest news directly from the Wells College athletic department by "liking" us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/WellsExpress) and subscribing to our Twitter account (http://www.twitter.com/WellsExpress).