La Plume, PA (2-25-06) - Darnell Reed netted a game high 28 points on his way to capturing the NEAC Tournament's Most Outstanding Player award as Keystone downed Villa Julie College 84-77 to win the 2006 NEAC men's basketball championship. This was the second consecutive year that Keystone defeated Villa Julie to win the NEAC title.
With the victory Keystone improves to 22-6 and will await word on Monday about a potential ECAC postseason bid.
After jumping out to a seven point lead on three separate occasions in the first half Keystone appeared to take control. However, behind 11 points from Kerry Dugan and 10 points from Steven Segears Villa Julie regained the lead and took a 41-36 in to the break.
The Mustangs came out on fire in the second half when Kerry Dugan a hit a couple of buckets and was supported by four free throws from Anthony Fitzgerald as the Mustangs built a nine point lead just three minutes into the second half.
The Giants regrouped behind a three point barrage from Darnell Reed and Andre Stone and key baskets by Charles Edwards and Robert Cash as the Giants went on a game turning run. Trailing by nine points Keystone went on a 18-0 run to turn a 48-39 deficit into a 57-48 advantage in just a three minute span. During the Keystone run, the Giants prevented Villa Julie from successfully bringing the ball past half-court on three straight possessions that resulted in seven straight Keystone points. Keystone built a lead as large as 17 points with under five minutes to play and seemed to have the game in control.
The Mustangs crept back into the game cutting the Keystone lead to five with twenty-five seconds left to play, but free throws by Marcus Spence and Charles Edwards sealed the game and the Giants second consecutive NEAC men's basketball championship.
Reed converted 12 of 13 free throws for the game and shot 50% form the filed en route to his outstanding player award. Reed netted 48 points in the NEAC Final Four with nine assists and eight rebounds. Reed added five boards, five assists and three steals in the title game. It was also Reed's play on the defensive end and aggressiveness driving towards the basket that ignited the Giants' spark.
Rashawn Dennis added 13 points for the Giants, while Robert Cash added 12 and Charles Edwards ten in the victory. Cash also led the way with eight rebounds for the Giants.
Phillip Williams led five Villa Julie players in double digits with 18 points. Steven Segears added 17, Kerry Dugan 14, Anthony Fitzgerald 12 and Jason Lambert 11 for the Mustangs. Segears and Fitzgerald each pulled in eight rebound to lead Villa Julie.
Keystone made the three-pointer count as the Giants shot 53% (9-17) from the beyond the arch compared to just 32% (8-25) for Villa Julie.