Skip To Main Content

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Athletics

Milan Skoric 0H1a08194
69
P.R.-Rio Piedras UPRRPM 0-2
103
Winner Embry-Riddle ERAUM 2-0
P.R.-Rio Piedras UPRRPM
0-2
69
Final
103
Embry-Riddle ERAUM
2-0
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
P.R.-Rio Piedras UPRRPM 38 31 69
Embry-Riddle ERAUM 60 43 103

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Kyrin Mayfield | @k_mayfield97

Men’s Basketball Cruises Over Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras 103-69

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The Embry-Riddle men's basketball team kicked off Feast Week with a 103-69 win over Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras on Monday night. It was the first ever meeting between the two programs. 

The Eagles (4-1) set multiple season-high marks in the game including points, field goal percentage (.569), 3-point percentage (.484), assists (21), and steals (15).

Malcolm Whitlow had the hot hand early on, making his first three 3-point shots to vault Embry-Riddle up 9-0 just 1:25 into the game before the Gallitos (0-2) could even attempt a shot. However, UPRRP's response was swift as the Gallitos converted on their first three shots to trim ERAU's lead to 9-6. 

Then Danny Sully found success inside the paint. The senior was able to drive at will and hit three layups in the span of two minutes to help the Eagles double up Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras' score 16-8. With 11:50 left in the first half and ERAU ahead 20-15, Embry-Riddle went on a 10-0 spurt that kickstarted a stretch of nine straight made field goals by the home team, including four from behind the arc, to push the Blue and Gold ahead 42-25 with 7:26 left. 

Six minutes remained on the clock when the Eagles buckled down defensively to hold the Gallitos scoreless over the next four minutes. This allowed ERAU to score 11 unanswered points as Cameron Shockley-Okeke knocked down a pair of deep shots and a jumper. Embry-Riddle made its last four shots of the first half to head into the break with a commanding 60-38 lead.

The Eagles shot 63 percent from the floor in the first half and 58 percent from deep. 

For roughly the first seven minutes of the second half, the Eagles kept their sizable lead thanks partly to the efforts of Sully's three lay-ins during that span. With the score 74-52 in favor of the home team, Embry-Riddle continued to pour it on with a 19-4 streak on five layups, two 3-pointers, and three free throws to increase its lead to 37 (93-56). The end of the half turned into the Milan Skoric show as the guard connected on four shots from downtown from 9:20 to go in the game to 4:42. This put the Blue and Gold over the century mark for the first time this season, and the Eagles cruised to victory.

Whitlow led the Blue and Gold offensively with a season-high 22 points on 8-for-10 shooting and Skoric registered a personal best 21 points while going 7-for-13 from the floor. Sully and Shockley-Okeke posted nearly identical stats with 12 points and five rebounds. Ten points, six assists, five rebounds, and a season-best four steals helped Dru Nickson stuff the stat sheet. Also of note, Jerry Bracey II notched career-bests in assists (7) and steals (3). 

The Eagles have one last tune-up match before Sunshine State Conference play begins. Embry-Riddle is scheduled to host Fort Lauderdale this Saturday at 2 p.m.
The 2023-24 Embry-Riddle men's basketball season is presented by Daytona Kia.
Print Friendly Version