dejaun
Tom Wolf Imaging
97
Winner Villa Maria VILLA 14-1
95
Stratford University STRAT 11-3
Winner
Villa Maria VILLA
14-1
97
Final
95
Stratford University STRAT
11-3
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Villa Maria VILLA 48 49 97
Stratford University STRAT 50 45 95

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Johnathan Snyder, Sports Information Director

Career and Program-Best 39 from Owens Pushes Villa Past Stratford

Senior hits nine triples to help Villa come back on the road

NEWPORT NEWS, VA - DeJaun Owens scored a career-high and program-record 39 points and the Villa Maria Vikings overcame a double-digit deficit to defeat Stratford University 97-95 inside the Julius Conn Recreation Center in Newport News, VA on Saturday afternoon.  Owens hit nine triples and shot 50 percent from the floor to help push the Vikings to a second road in as many days over another ranked United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Division I ranked opponent.

Villa (14-1) overcame a 13-point first half deficit and an early onslaught on the offensive boards from the Cardinals (11-3) and weathered the storm to trail by just two, 50-48 at the break.  Owens drilled a three on the Vikings' first offensive possession of the second half to give them their first lead since the 13:33 mark in the first half.  He hit another one on the next possession to push the lead to four.  Villa eventually pushed the lead to as many as nine but couldn't put away the home team.

The Cardinals, who came into the game ranked seventh in the latest USCAA Division I National Coaches Poll, used a 7-0 run with just over six minutes left to turn a six-point deficit into a one point lead.  Villa senior Jonathan Pozo then halted the run with a pull-up jumper to give the advantage back to the Vikings before Stratford once again took it back after a lay-up by Ron Davis.  From there, it was once again Owens who broke the Cardinals hearts, banging two straight threes to give his team a 86-83 lead with 4:13 left.

With 3:21 left, Kendall Sheppard connected on one of his three treys for Stratford to tie the game at 88.  It was sophomore Lonnie Taylor this time for the Vikings as on the next possession, he finished through traffic in the paint to give the Vikings a 90-88 advantage.  But once again, Davis answered for Stratford, tying the game at 90 moments later.  After a missed shot by Villa on the ensuing possession, sophomore Gerald Bibbs stepped in front of a pass to force a turnover and fed Owens for the go-ahead lay-up with 2:17 left.  Davis though tied the game again for Stratford.  He finished with 20 points on 9-of-11 shooting.

Villa would not break however as Pozo hit two free throws with 1:37 left as that was the final lead change of the game.  Owens put the icing on the cake when he swished a corner triple with 1:11 remaining to send Villa home a winner.

Owens was spectacular for Villa, adding four steals and a block to go along with his 39 points, which was one shy of a school-record 40, set by his twin sister Shaquana on the women's side during the 2017-18 season.  Pozo had his second-straight efficient game, scoring 18, a night after netting a team-high 21.  He was 6-of-9 from the floor and added eight rebounds and two assists.  Sophomore Gerald Bibbs scored 17 on 8-of-13 shooting off the bench.  He secured nine boards and had three steals and two assists.

Sophomore forward Lonnie Taylor flexed his muscles in the paint once again, finishing with his second-straight double-double, and third of the season.  He scored 15 points and corralled 13 rebounds, six on the offensive glass. After giving up 10 offensive boards in the first 20 minutes, the Vikings responded and ended up edging Stratford 14-13 on that end.  

Villa junior guard Jabari Hibbert finished with four steals and two assists while running the offense.  Seniors Kwanique Martin and Dominic Douglas each scored four points, with Martin adding four rebounds and three dimes.

WHAT'S NEXT
Villa will return home before once again hitting the road for three games in five days.  They will take on the College of St. Joseph Fighting Saints on Friday, January 11th at 7:00 pm in Rutland, VT.  On the 12th, they will take on Green Mountain College of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) in Poultney, VT at 1:00 pm.  They'll finish the road-trip against the University of Kent State at Tuscarawas at 5:00 pm on Tuesday January 15th.

FOLLOW THE VIKINGS
Follow the Vikings on Twitter (@villavikings), Facebook (facebook.com/villavikings) and Instagram (@villavikings) for all news, stats, scores, stories and more, to keep up on all things Villa athletics.  Go Vikings! #theViLL
Print Friendly Version