GAME OF THE YEAR: Cardinals Erase 14-point Deficit in Thrilling Comeback!
CCBC Catonsville returned to the win column on Wednesday night with a thrilling 75-71 victory over the Seahawks of Cecil College.
In what can best be described as the game of the year so far for the Cardinals, Catonsville erased a 14-point deficit thanks to incredible individual efforts from their sophomore stars. An opportunistic defense, along with three players scoring in double digits, allowed the Cardinals to clinch their fourth win of the season.
Entering this contest on a two-game losing streak, the Cardinals were facing a tough Cecil team that had recently taken down #16 Howard. Catonsville quickly set the pace by jumping out to a 5-0 lead thanks to scores from sophomore guard Maurice Smith (Newton). Catonsville held this advantage through the opening five minutes, leading 15-10 at one point. It seemed as if the issues that had plagued the team in their previous games had disappeared.
However, Cecil would soon establish firm control over the contest. Scoring 19 unanswered points, the Seahawks began bludgeoning the Cardinals. The lead ballooned to 29-15 as Cecil capitalized on Cardinal turnovers. Pulling out to a 14-point lead, Cecil looked as if they would turn this contest into a blowout.
As the first half wound to an end, Catonsville was able to pull within 11 points at the half. Thanks to 11 and 10 points respectively from Smith and sophomore guard Keith Bullock Jr. (Cardozo), the Cardinals still had a fighting chance as they entered the half down 44-33.
The second half started much like the end of the first. Catonsville began to outplay the Seahawks, but they couldn't pull within striking range. Even three-straight free throws by sophomore guard Jalen Yates (Baltimore City) weren't enough to close the gap. The Cardinals were outsourcing the Seahawks, however. Trailing 57-47 with ten minutes to go, something had to happen to change the momentum.
The tide turned when freshman guard Carlos Green (Pikesville) was fouled on his way to the basket. Nailing both of his free throws, Green then recorded a crucial steal that kept the momentum with the Cardinals. A pair of shots by freshman guard Curt Smith Jr. (Virginia Post Grad Academy) and Bullock lowered the deficit to four. After another Smith layup made it a two-point game, Yates buried a three to give the Cardinals a fragile one-point lead, completing the comeback.
The game wasn't over yet. Despite having been held scoreless for three minutes by a Cardinals defense smelling a victory, the Seahawks tied the game at 59 with seven minutes to go. Catonsville kept retaking the lead, only for Cecil to tie it up seconds later. This back-and-forth play continued until the final two minutes when Yates slammed down two massive threes. A contested shot by sophomore forward Christopher Johnson (St. George's High) and another clutch shot by Smith pushed the lead to seven. Bullock then drained both of his free throws after a technical foul, extending the lead to nine. Catonsville held off one last comeback attempt by the Seahawks to clinch the 75-71 victory.
Despite being out-rebounded and committing more fouls, the Cardinals' defense stepped up with 33 defensive rebounds and 16 steals. Yates finished the game as the leading scorer for both teams with 20 points, his third straight 20+ point game. Maurice Smith recorded a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Bullock continued his excellent season with 19 points, eight assists, six steals, and five rebounds. Johnson added eight points to the total along with ten rebounds, while Curt Smith Jr. recorded six clutch points from off the bench.
Next up for the Cardinals is a match with Frederick Community College on Saturday, December 10.