Megan PellegrinoAlumni from the class of 1980 through the class of 2008 came to Cabrini’s Nerney Field House for the annual Alumni game hosted by the Cabrini men’s basketball team.
Two teams of 16 men each showed up to play a fun, light-hearted game of basketball on Saturday, Jan. 31 and to reunite with old players, fans and coaches.
Later that day, the Cabrini men’s team defeated Marywood University 71-48, and on Monday, Feb. 2 against Centenary College, 72-65.
The alumni were split randomly into a black and a grey team. After the first half, the black team was up 32-26.
They were in good spirits and played for fun, with, of course, a little athletic competition.
After the second half, the grey team was defeated 72-68.
Some familiar faces were seen on the court, such as Greg Clifton, class of 2008 and Saleem Brown, men’s assistant coach and class of 2004.
“It was weird. I remember watching and thinking I’d never be here and now I am,” Clifton said about playing as an alumn. “I am happy to see the current team doing well and it was nice to see all the alumni come together.”
Brown had a similar comment saying, “It was a great feeling to see everyone come back. It’s nice to keep the family spirit.”
The game started at 10:30 a.m. with a moment of silence for several players who had passed away.
They were also given a continental breakfast and lunchtime reception for everyone to catch up with past teammates and others in attendance.
The alumni game started the first year the team had graduate players in 1980. The event has continually grown.
The announcer Joe Kelly, along with Coach Keeley and John Zeke, were associate coaches for the program for 25 years.
After the alumni game, the Cavalier men defeated Marywood for its 13th win of the season, with a record of 13-5, 7-3 in Colonial States Athletic Conference.
This win puts them in second place in the CSAC with six games left.
Senior shooting guard Ryan Oxley led the team with a season and game-high 20 points.
He was six for nine at the three-point line.
Junior forward Kevin Misevicius followed with 19 points, six rebounds and four steals to help in the Cavs win.
Sophomore guard Lamar Fisher scored 10 points along with junior guard Charles Bush’s nine points, six assists and four steals.
The men forced a season-best 24 turnovers against Marywood.
Monday night vs. Centenary College, sophomore forward Dom Farello led the team with 16 points along with six rebounds and six assists. Misevicius added 14 points, five rebounds and four steals.
Oxley dropped three three-pointers to add nine points.
The Cavaliers forced a season-best 26 turnovers against the Centenary Cyclones. The men are now on a three-game winning streak with an overall record of 14-5, CSAC record 8-3.
The Cabrini men’s basketball team will play CSAC opponent Gwynedd-Mercy College who is 8-1 in the conference.
The game will be held at the Nerney Field House on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 3 p.m.
