After winning the MIAA ‘A’ Conference Championship last Sunday, JC’s men’s basketball team set their sights on the Baltimore Catholic League (BCL) Championship.  In the semifinal round, JC played Mt. St. Joe, one of only two teams to defeat them during the regular season.  The final score was 56-52, JC.

Senior Ronald Scott started off strong, with a personal 7-0 run to start the game.  MSJ responded with a 6-0 run of its own, making for a tight game early on.  The game was tied at 13 heading into the second quarter.

The game went back and forth in the second quarter, but with only 10 seconds remaining, MSJ built a six-point lead.  Sophomore Rodney Elliot hit a three-pointer at the buzzer, cutting MSJ’s lead in half.  However, JC was still losing going into halftime, 31-28.

Cutting the lead to just three enabled JC to battle back in the third quarter, slowly tying the game and taking the lead.  Heading into the final quarter, JC held a small lead, 42-39.

The game continued to be close as neither team went ahead by more than a possession.  With only 13 seconds left, JC was ahead 53-50.  MSJ was forced to foul, and freshman Kamau Stokes and senior Malcolm McMillan hit their shots, giving JC a crucial four-point lead.  JC won the game, 56-52.

McMillan led the team in scoring with 21 points.  Scott scored 15 points, and junior Jarred Jones contributed seven.

For McMillan, this game was all about gaining redemption against MSJ.  “It felt great to come back and beat them [after losing on Senior Night],” McMillan said.

McMillan stressed the importance of making his free throws down the stretch.  “Making the free throws was very important,” McMillan said.  “Anything can happen when you’re only up by two with 2.8 seconds left.”

After the game, assistant coach Rick Landers stressed the importance of the win.  “We won the regular season title, which got us into the Alhambra Tournament.  However, we still want to win the tournament,” Landers said.

Landers was also proud of the team’s performance toward the end of the game.  “Throughout the season, we have had consistent execution down the stretch,” Landers said.  “It all starts with the big three: Jones, Scott, and McMillan.  They play well as a team.”

This win puts JC into the final of the BCL Tournament, against St. Frances.  JC went 3-0 against St. Frances, including a victory in the MIAA ‘A’ Conference Championship.  The game will be on Tuesday, March 1, at 7:00 p.m.  It will be held in the Reitz Arena at Loyola University.

Brian Reid is a reporter for “The Patriot” and jcpatriot.com.