Flakes Earns All-TCCC Honors

ENC Athletic Site: Published: 2011-02-21

Eastern Nazarene freshman John Flakes earned a spot on the All-TCCC men's basketball team as announced Monday afternoon.

A total of 11 different institutions from The Commonwealth Coast Conference were represented on the 2010-11 All-TCCC Men’s Basketball Team and the list of major individual award winners, it was announced today by Commissioner Gregg M. Kaye. Representing the Lions on the All-TCCC team was freshman forward, John Flakes. Flakes started 23 of 25 games as a freshman and was a very important factor in the Lions’ success this season. Flakes tallied 401 points on the season and 16.0 points per game. Flakes was a dominant presence in the rebounding game pulling in 229 (9.2 rebounds per game) on the season including 86 on the offensive glass. Defensively, Flakes blocked an even 50 shots and made 32 steals on the year.

Flakes’ selection to the Third Team All-TCCC Men’s Basketball Team is a fitting reward for a solid all-around freshman season. Flakes’ offensive skill set and instincts around the basket and on defense should continue to earn weekly and seasonal honors throughout his career at ENC. 

Story via: Full TCCC Release

Roger Williams Fights Back, Earns Come From Behind Win

ENC Athletic Site: Published: 2011-02-19

Eastern Nazarene built a 12 point first half lead and led by as many as 18 points in the second half but the Hawks of Roger Williams put together a successful comeback effort that led them to a 71-63 win in Saturday’s The Commonwealth Coast Conference regular season finale.

Midway through the opening period, the visiting Lions hit their stride and stretched what was a 15- all tie, to a commanding 12 point lead. Freshman LionJohn Flakes scored 13 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in a dominant first half. As a team, Eastern Nazarene shot 42.4% (14-33) from the field in the first half and was a perfect 9-9 from the free throw line.

Eastern Nazarene kept their momentum rolling to open up the second half as sophomore guard Max Barbosa connected from three point range. Two possessions later, Barbosa hit again from behind the arc and stretched the Lions lead to 18. After Roger Williams’ Pat Flanagan knocked down a jumper, Barbosa responded with a 15 footer of his own to bring his second half point total to 8 in just 2:31.

Over the next five minutes, Roger Williams put together a 12-0 run capped by a Taylor Petruccelli offensive rebound and put- back to cut the once insurmountable lead to just six points at 47-41. The teams traded buckets on four consecutive trips before a Matt Grossbard long ball and a Flanagan layup cut the Lions’ lead to just a single point with 7:55 remaining.

Grossbard hit a pair of free throws for the Hawks before Matt Clifford knocked down a pair of his own to give Roger Williams their first lead of the since 12:11 in the first half. Just moments later, Petruccelli made another layup and Clifford hit a 12 foot jumper to increase the Hawks’ lead and give them the momentum to finish out the comeback and grab the win, 71-63.

For the Lions, Flakes finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds giving him a total of 12 double- doubles in his freshman season. Barbosa finished 8-18 from the field which was good for 18 points. Sophomore, Aaron Johnson scored 7 points and had 3 rebounds while C.J. Gonzales and DeAngelo Alston had 6 points apiece.

Flakes closes out his rookie campaign on a high note and is poised for a remarkable career at ENC. Flakes tallied 401 points, 229 rebounds and 50 blocked shots over the 2010-11 season. Flakes finished with a scoring average of 16.0 points per game and 9.2 rebounds.

Johnson put together another solid year’s worth of numbers for the Lions scoring 318 points to bring his two-year career total to 551.

The Lions finish the season winning two of their last three conference games. Their nine wins marks the most for the men’s basketball program since the Lions went 9-17 in the 2002-03 season. Things look promising for the future of this program as four of the five starters will return in 2011-12. With another year of growth, this team looks to be capable of establishing itself as a TCCC contender.

Lions Grab Overtime Thriller Against Salve Regina

ENC Site: Published: 2011-02-16

ENC sophomore Aaron Johnson scored 18 points, pulled in 7 rebounds, made 8 assists and 4 steals in Wednesday night's win over Salve Regina.

The Eastern Nazarene College men’s basketball team opened up overtime with 7-3 run and held on for the 95-88 The Commonwealth Coast Conference victory over Salve Regina Wednesday night.

Salve Regina controlled most of the opening period as they stretched their lead to 13 points with 5:36 remaining following a Jeff Bielefeld layup. Eastern Nazarene took a timeout and proceeded to put together a 9-0 run over the next two minutes to cut the Seahawks’ lead to just four with 3:19 remaining.

After trading buckets, ENC’s John Cramer hit a three pointer and a layup over the final minutes to knot things up at 41 apiece. On the ensuing possession, Salve Regina’s Patrick Dinneen gathered an offensive rebound off of a missed jumper by Windell Hinkson and netted the putback to send the Seahawks into the locker room at halftime with a 43-41 advantage.

The two teams traded blows throughout the second half but Salve Regina was able to build a six point lead with just 1:31 remaining following a pair of Ryan Birrell free throws. Just seconds later, Eastern Nazarene’s Max Barbosa hit a three pointer to bring the Lions within three. After Scott St. Lawrence hit one of two from the line for Salve Regina, John Flakes sunk a pair of free throws to draw the Lions to within two.

With fifteen seconds to play, Salve Regina inbounded the ball from underneath ENC’s basket but a crosscourt pass sailed out of bounce and the Lions gained possession. ENC’s Barbosa was fouled on the inbound pass and went to the line with a chance to tie. Barbosa hit both free throws in a silent gymnasium and sent the Lions’ fans into a frenzy and the TCCC showdown into overtime.

After opening up overtime on a 7-3 run, the Lions were put on the ropes once again as Birrell hit a three to bring the Seahawks to within just three. Salve Regina was forced to foul which sent Barbosa to the line again, where he hit both free throws to give the Lions a five point advantage. Eastern Nazarene’sAaron Johnson hit two more free throws with three ticks left on the clock to seal the 7 point win for the Lions.

Salve Regina was led by Birrell who finished with 26 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Hinkson tallied 23 points and St. Lawrence scored 13 and pulled down 8 rebounds.

Eastern Nazarene received an outstanding performance from Johnson who scored 18 points, pulled in 7 rebounds, made 8 assists and 4 steals. Barbosa finished with 20 points while C.J. Gonzales scored 14 points and grabbed 5 rebounds and made 4 assists.

Three time rookie of the week Flakes scored a game high 27 points and pulled in 8 rebounds for the Lions.

Both teams will play their final regular season home games this Saturday as Eastern Nazarene will travel to Roger Williams while Salve Regina will host Gordon. Both games are slated to begin at 3pm. 

Flakes Grabs Second Straight Rookie of the Week Award

ENC Site: Published: 2011-02-14

Freshman forward John Flakes averaged 16.7 points, 11.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.7 blocked shots and 2.0 steals per game in earning his third Rookie of the Week award of the season.

Eastern Nazarene College freshman forward John Flakes posted three consecutive double-doubles and racked up impressive weekly averages on his way to claiming his second consecutive The Commonwealth Coast Conference Rookie of the Week Award. Monday’s announcement marks Flakes’ third honor of the 2010-2011 season.

In three games last week, Flakes accumulated averages of 16.7 points, 11.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.7 blocked shots and 2.0 steals per game. His performances included 18 points and 10 rebounds in an 86-78 loss to New England College, 18 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks in an 83-70 non-conference loss at Newbury, and a strong 17-point, 15-rebound, four-assist showing in an 87-72 victory over Nichols. For the week, Flakes shot 53% from the field (19-of-36) and 71% from the line (12-of-17).

Flakes will look to close out his stellar regular season freshman campaign this week as the Lions wrap up their TCCC regular season schedule with a home game against Salve Regina on Wednesday before traveling to Roger Williams on Saturday for the regular season finale. 

Lions Cruise to TCCC Win Over Nichols

ENC Athletic Site: Published: 2011-02-12

Eastern Nazarene College came out on a 14-3 run and did not trail in the entire game as the Lions overtook Nichols College in The Commonwealth Coast Conference men’s basketball action Saturday afternoon, 87-72. The Lions pushed the ball and offense and played relentless defense as they controlled the flow of the game from the opening tip to the final buzzer.

DeAngelo Alston hit two free throws after 46 seconds of play and Eastern Nazarene carried the early lead to the finish. The Lions sustained a lead that was between five and nine points for the majority of the half. The Lions were able to stretch their advantage to a first half high 12 with 30 seconds remaining as Max Barbosa knocked down a three from the left wing. Nichols sophomore Nick Brown was able to net a layup just before the buzzer to send the game Bison into halftime trailing 42-32.

The second half featured an impressive display of offense from Nichols sophomore Justin Kuntz that kept the Bison in contention. Kuntz score 18 of his game high 25 points in the second half on 7-11 shooting including 3-6 from three point range.

Eastern Nazarene put together a 9-0 run to open the second half and quickly stretched the lead to 19 at 51-32. The two teams kept up the fast pace throughout the second half, trading buckets all the way to the end. Both teams outscored their first half totals but it was Eastern Nazarene that was able to hold on for the victory.

The Lions were led by Barbosa who finished with 23 points in 21 minutes of play while fellow guard Alston tallied 18 points and two assists. The third of the Lions’ guard trio, Aaron Johnson, played a solid all around game as he had 8 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals.

Freshman forward John Flakes notched his tenth double-double of the season by scoring 17 points and pulling in a game high 15 rebounds.

C.J. Gonzales blocked a game high 4 shots and chipped in 5 points for the Lions.

For Nichols, Kuntz made 3 assists to go with his 25 points while freshman Ryan Sheehan scored 23 points while pulling in 3 rebounds and blocking 2 shots.

Both teams will play their next game next Wednesday, February 16th. Nichols will travel to Regis College for a 7:30pm matchup. The Lions will play their final home game of the year as they host Salve Regina. The Lions’ lone seniorJonathan Atwater will be honored before Wednesday’s game for his four years of dedication to the ENC Basketball program. The senior night ceremony will begin just before 8pm and will immediately be followed by tip-off. 

Newbury Survives Lions' Comeback Efforts

ENC Athletic Site Published: 2011-02-10

Eastern Nazarene came back from an early defecit but Newbury College was able to pull away late as the Nighthawks won Thursday night’s non-conference basketball matchup 83-70.

Newbury opened up play with a 7-0 run capped by an Eric Watson layup but Eastern Nazarene quickly responded with a Max Barbosa three pointer to cut the early deficit to just four. Newbury regained control and led by 18 midway through the first half. ENC responded with a 10-0 run that cut the Nighthawks’ lead to just eight with 7:54 remaining in the opening period. A DeAngelo Alston jumper with 33.3 remaining in the first half brought the Lions within two. But Newbury’s John Rowley Jr. soon hit a pair of free throws to send the Nighthawks into the lockeroom at the break with a 42-38 lead.

The Lions came out in the second half and hit on two consecutive trips to tie the game at 42 apiece. Newbury responded quickly and established an eight point lead that held for most of the remainder of the game. ENC was able to cut the the deficit to just four points with 2:32 to play on the back of an Aaron Johnson three pointer as the Lions poised themselves for a comeback. Despite the comeback effort, Newbury responded one final time as they finished the game on a 9-0 run to finish off the 13 point home victory.

The Lions were led by another outstanding performance by freshman phenom John Flakes who scored 18 points and pulled in 10 rebounds for his 9th double- double of his rookie campaign. Barbosa finished with 16 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists in a well balanced performance. ENC’s Johnson tallied 11 points while freshman Eddie Allen scored 8 points including a perfect 2-2 from three point range.

The Lions will return to The Commonwealth Coast Conference play on Saturday as they host Nichols College. Tip off will be at 3pm following ENC and Nichols’ women’s basketball matchup.

Pilgrims Grab Lead Late, Fend Off Eastern Nazarene

Aaron Johnson scored a team high 19 points and made 4 steals in Tuesday's 78-86 loss to New England College.

ENC Athletic Site: Published: 2011-02-08

New England College over came numerous deficits that reached as high as 9 points late in the first half as they shot their way to a 86-78 win Tuesday night over The Commonwealth Coast Conference opponent Eastern Nazarene.

Eastern Nazarene came out in perfect rhythm connecting on their first three shots of the game to jump out to a quick 7-2 lead. The Lions kept their offensive pace and stretched their lead to nine at 28-19 following a transition layup by sophomore John Cramer and a three pointer by sophomore Aaron Johnson.

The Pilgrims regrouped and put together an 11-3 run over a three minute span that drew them to within one with 4:15 to play in the opening period. After trading buckets for the next four trips down the floor, New England’s Abdirahman Mohamed hit the backend of two free throws to tie the game at 37 headed into the locker room at half time.

Eastern Nazarene found its stroke once again to open up the second half as a John Flakes netted a layup and Max Barbosa drained back to back jumpers to stretch the Lions’ lead to 6 points three minutes into the second half.

New England chipped away at the lead throughout until a Michael Ingram- Rubin three pointer with 6:52 remaining put the Pilgrims ahead for the first time in the second half, 67-66. The Pilgrims offense never looked back as it stretched its lead to as many as 9 before sealing the game on the free throw line late for the 8 point victory.

Eastern Nazarene had four players score in double figures and was led by C.J. Gonzales’ season high 18 points. Gonzales also pulled in four rebounds and blocked two shots. Johnson scored 11 of his 19 points in the first half while Flakes and Barbosa finished with 15 and 13 points respectively. Flakes led the Lions on the rebounding end with 10 to notch his 9th double- double of the season.

New England College’s 52.5% shooting performance was headed by senior Shane Hennessey who score 21 points and grabbed 11 rebounds before getting into foul trouble with five minutes left to play. Fellow senior Joe Faragher tallied 12 points and 12 rebounds while Ingram-Rubin finished with 12 points. Freshman guard Troy Prather netted 10 points to round out the Pilgrim’s double digit scorers.

The Lions will remain at home as they fight to stay alive in the TCCC post-season race on Saturday as they host Nichols College, but first, the team will hit the road for a non-conference game against Newbury College on Thursday. Tip off is set for 7pm.