The Tribune

THE University of The Bahamas Mingoes men's basketball team (pictured) was on the verge of winning both games at the Edward Waters College Thanksgiving Classic but just could not seal the deal.

The Mingoes lost to Florida National Friday 110-102 and then dropped to the host EWC Tigers Saturday 75-69. "We were right there in both games," head coach Bacchus Rolle said. "We just have to close out games when we are right there but that comes with age and experience and we have to work on that."

Mingoes 102,

Florida National 110

Kemsy Sylvester shot a career-high 41 points against Florida National and that was not enough to make up for the transitional lapses the Mingoes had late in the game.

Sylvestre shot 16-25 for the 41 points to go along with 10 rebounds, 5 steals and 4 assists as the Mingoes lost 110-102.

Three other Mingoes hit double figures as the team made a run with about 3 minutes to go in the game. Off a layup from Sylvestre the game was tied 102 with 1:32 to go in regulation but Florida National was able to hold The Mingoes off to go on for the win.

"I did ok for the team but not enough to get the win," Sylvestre said. "It would have been better if we had won and I had the 41 points. We were right in the game but we came up short right in the last minute of the game."

Robert Joseph had 20 points off 4 three-pointers. Rashad Sturrup score 14 with 9 rebounds and Ujamma Johnson had 11 points and 5 assists in the loss.

Assistant coach Lavar Johnson chalked the loss up to problems with the team's transitional defence.

"Florida National moved the ball pretty quick getting up and down the floor and in transition we slipped a little bit," he said.

Sylvestre agreed with Johnson. "We had problems there," he said. "We just couldn't find our man. We just couldn't get our defensive rebounds at times as well."

Mingoes 69,

Edward Waters 75

The Mingoes led by as much as 13 points against The Tigers but foul problems with three starters was a big stumbling block to the Mingoes holding off a late surge in a game that had 6 lead changes. The Mingoes dropped to the Tigers 75-69 to close out the tournament.

Robert Joseph scored 21 points to go with 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals. Kemsey Sylvestre--fighting a flu - had 20 points and 7 rebounds. Christoff McKenzie had 11 points and 5 rebounds in the loss as well.

Sylvestre started the second half with four fouls and Joseph also had 4 fouls with just about 10 minutes to go in regulation. Rashad Sturrup also picked up his fourth foul with about 4 minutes to go in the game. All of them are significant scorers and leaders on the court for the Mingoes.

"In the second half we just lost our composure and we were just going through the motions," Joseph said. "We just didn't have the same intensity we had in the first half in the second half."

Head coach Bacchus Rolle said the team may have just been a bit fatigued in the game. "This a back-to-back and very rarely do we get to go back-to-back and we are trying to adjust," Rolle said.

"Starters had to play heavy minutes last night and had to come out tonight and play some heavy minutes. We saw where Sylvestre got in foul problems and he had to come in late in the second half. At that point, it's difficult to get the cohesion back."

Rolle added that the squad played as best as they could this early in the season. "The guys did their very best," he said. "We were there but we just didn't execute at the very end of the game. We have to stay in control at the end of the game but that comes with age and experience."

The Mingoes next play in the NPBA 9pm on Wednesday against the BIBT Great Whites and then play another international two-game set in December.