Shame on anyone who missed Saturday’s championship tilt as the two teams blistered the nets during a frantic first 20 minutes. Gannon shot 51.7 percent (15-29) from the field and 55.6 percent (5-9) from three-point range in the first 20 minutes, only to see Northern Michigan shoot 50 percent (12-24) from the floor and 40 percent (4-10) from long range.
Neither team was able to produce much breathing room until Gannon created the contest’s first sizable run midway through the first half. Leading 20-19, Gannon converted three consecutive baskets for a 26-19 lead with 10:28 left in the half. The run sandwiched an Anthony Clagett (Mount Rainier, Md./Friendship Collegiate Academy) lay-up between a pair of Ramon Smith (Dale City, Va./The Patterson School) hoops.
Northern Michigan never pulled closer than four points the rest of the half as the Gannon advantage remained between six and 13 points during the final six minutes and 29 seconds. Kelvin Agee (Niagara Falls, N.Y./Niagara Falls) gave the Golden Knights their biggest lead of the evening at 44-31 with a pair of free throws at the 1:26 mark, but a Martin Gross jumper at the buzzer sent the Wildcats into the break with a 44-33 deficit.
The visitors stormed back after the intermission, going on a 21-11 run during the first seven minutes and 42 seconds. Raymont McElroy’s lay-up at the 12:18 mark capped the run and brought the Wildcats within a point (55-54) for the first time since the opening minute of the game.
The game remained tight until Gannon busted it open for good two minutes later. Agee ignited a mini 9-2 run with a three-pointer. Following a NMU basket, Danard Crouch (Syracuse, N.Y./Anthony Henninger) nailed a long-range bomb. Agee then completed the triple threat with another three-pointer for a 67-58 lead with 6:53 to play.
The barrage of three-pointers was the final dagger in Northern Michigan’s heart as the lead never fell below seven points the rest of the way. Gannon did stretch the lead to 13 points on two occasions in the final three minutes, before settling for a 79-68 victory.
Crouch led Gannon with an unbelievable game on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. The senior guard was named to the all-tournament team after scoring 17 points and providing intense pressure on NMU ball handlers off the bench.
Agee was named Gary Miller Classic Most Outstanding Player after recording 15 points on 5-of-11 shooting during Saturday’s title game. The redshirt freshman added 17 points during the semifinal victory against Cedarville.
Tanner Furno (Columbus, Ohio/Whetstone) and Steve Piotrowicz (Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep) added 10 points each. All 10 Golden Knights who played scored and nine of the 10 grabbed at least two rebounds.
Gannon shot 44.6 percent (25-56) from the field, 45 percent (9-20) from three-point range and 76.9 percent (20-26) from the free throw line.
All-tournament selection Jared Benson led all scorers with 22 points and six rebounds. The junior center also had 19 points and six rebounds during NMU’s semifinal victory. McElroy and DeAndre Taylor chipped in 17 and 12 points, respectively.
Northern Michigan shot 52 percent (26-50) from the floor, 30.4 percent (7-23) from behind the arc and 60 percent (9-15) from the charity stripe.
Gannon improved to 2-0 with its tournament title. Northern Michigan dropped to 3-2. The Golden Knights return to action Saturday, December 4 at Urbana. Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m.
In Saturday’s consolation game, Cedarville shot 50 percent (32-64) and routed Daemen 81-56. All-tournament selection Matt Harner led all scorers with 21 points for Cedarville. Dominic Mazzocchi, another all-tourney honoree, had 14 markers for Daemen.
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