DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The 23rd-ranked Barry Buccaneers proved their ranking and then some on Wednesday night in the ICI Center, blitzing Embry-Riddle, 112-84 on the Eagles' Senior Night. The Eagles (15-10) couldn't keep up with the Bucs (20-5) offensive attack as BU shot 64 percent from the field, including connecting on 15 three-pointers, to complete the season sweep of ERAU. Six players reached double-figures for Barry as the Bucs' 112 points marked the highest allowed by Embry-Riddle at home since Nov. 25, 1994 when Husson defeated the Blue and Gold, 114-111.
The Eagles started four seniors as
Eddie Gray and
Joseph Gonzalez joined
Reed Ridder and
Daniel Kiesling in the starting lineup for the first time in their careers.
Dalton Barnes was the lone junior in the starting five. Barry came out of the gates quick and never looked back, grabbing the lead 14 seconds into the game on a Tray Leonard jumper in the paint, growing the advantage to 7-0 before a Barnes' jumper stopped the run.
The Eagles got it to within two on several occassions in the first 10 minutes, the latest when Barnes hit a jumper with 14:49 left to trim the deficit to 14-12, but the Bucs responded with a 10-2 run to go up double-digits on an Anders Haas free throw.
Barry shot nearly 70 percent in the opening half, connecting on 21 of its' 31 shots, including going 9-for-15 from deep to take a commanding 57-37 cushion into the break. And the visitors didn't slow down after coming out of the lockerroom, going on an 11-2 run to open the second half and put the game out of reach.
ERAU was able to get to within 24 when Kiesling went 2-for-2 at the charity stripe at the 14:29 mark, but the Bucs wouldn't allow the Eagles any closer, outscoring Embry-Riddle 55-47 in the closing half.
Barnes finished with a game-high 22 points with two rebounds and two assists while Kiesling tied a career-high with 17 points, also grabbing five boards with four steals.
Ognjen Miljkovic scored 13 points off the bench for the Eagles, who finished the night shooting 38 percent from the floor and 29 percent from long range.
Barry dished out 34 assists on 44 made field goals, led offensively by Yunio Barrueta's 20 points and seven rebounds. Haas recorded 19 points, eight assists and four boards while Undra Mitchem had 16 points, five assists, three steals and three rebounds.
Prior to the game, the Eagles' five seniors were honored for their contributions to the Embry-Riddle Men's Basketball program.
Eddie Gray,
Reed Ridder,
Joseph Gonzalez and
Daniel Kiesling played in their final game in the ICI Center, while student manager Adam Martin was similarly honored for his four years of service to the Eagle family.
The Eagles wrap up their inaugural NCAA II season on Saturday when they travel to Boca Raton to take on Lynn for a 4 p.m. tilt.