Ball distribution and tenacious defense have been C.J. Fulton’s hallmarks in his maiden campaign with Lafayette. The Leopards suffered an 82-81 overtime loss at home to Bucknell last Tuesday in first-round action of the Patriot League tournament. Fulton, a 6-2 freshman guard from Belfast, posted a game-high eight assists to go along with seven rebounds, three steals and two points. The outcome was a disappointing sendoff for Lafayette head coach Fran O’Hanlon, who retired after the contest. The Leopards finished the season with a 10-20 record.
Fulton earned recognition as a member of the Patriot League All-Rookie Team. He finished the season having started 27 of 30 games for Lafayette and averaged 7.3 points per game while maintaining a 45 percent strike rate. He was the team leader in steals with 43, second on the squad in assists (99) and third in rebounds (116). He prepped at St. Malachy’s in Belfast and spent a year at The Winchendon School in Massachusetts before matriculating at Lafayette.
Sean McCarthy came off the bench to spark Felician with seven points and eight rebounds in a 93-90 win over Chestnut Hill in the first round of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference tournament last Tuesday. The 6-5 freshman from Cork played 16 minutes and connected on three of four field goal attempts, including his lone try from outside the three-point arc. His services were not required to as great an extent in subsequent victories over Post, 72-59, and Dominican, 65-64. The latter win for the CACC championship propelled the Golden Falcons (19-9) into the NCAA Division 2 tournament. They face Bentley (22-4) on Saturday in Waltham, Mass. in first-round action.
Grand Canyon wrapped up the regular season with a 70-53 win at home over Dixie State on Saturday. Aidan Igiehon, a 6-10 junior from Clondalkin, Dublin, scored six points for the Antelopes (21-7, 11-5 Western Athletic Conference), making three of five field goal attempts. He also grabbed five caroms in his 12-minute stint on the floor. Grand Canyon begins WAC Tournament play on Thursday in Las Vegas.
Ryan Leonard scored 10 points as the season came to an end for St. Mary’s (Texas) in the first round of the Lone Star Conference Tournament. The Rattlers lost, 70-64, to Texas A&M-Kingsville. Leonard, a 6-4 junior from Tralee, Co. Kerry, hit on five of eight field goal attempts. He also grabbed six rebounds. Leonard, who was named All-Conference third team, averaged 11.0 points per game for the Rattlers (12-13) and led the team in steals with 35.
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