JOHNSON, Vt. (January 6, 2020) – With the SUNY Delhi men's basketball team closing in on a satisfying road win at Northern Vermont Johnson on Monday, senior Justin Daoud (Yonkers, NY / Palisade Prep) gave the Broncos one last reason to cheer when he reached 1,000 career points in the final minutes. Needing nine points to meet the milestone entering Monday, Daoud did just that. He had just two points through the first half, but inched closer in the second half with seven points, hitting paydirt with his layup with 3:01 remaining. He also added ten rebounds to help Delhi to its second straight win and jump to 9-6 on the season,
Daoud's achievement was just one of the many highlights the Broncos brought to the court, as the team posted a season-best 57.1 percent shooting, making 40-of-70 from the floor, and pounded the Badgers on rebounds, 47-25. Payton Dean provided three dunks to lead the game with 23 points and ten rebounds, while Mavenson Therneus nearly matched these efforts with two dunks, finishing with 21 points, ten boards, and five steals. Glenn Butler totaled ten points, as Jordan Fragale netted eight points, four rebounds, six assists, and four steals. Carlos Ithier made eight points and three rebounds off the bench.
The Broncos only had a modest 37-33 lead at halftime, but turned on the after burners by outscoring NVUJ, 48-28, in the second half. Delhi forced Johnson into 19 turnovers, leading to a 29-19 lead in points off turnovers, and held a 64-30 lead in points in the paint. The green and gold finished 3-of-11 from long range and 2-of-7 from the free throw line, while the Badgers finished 5-of-14 and 14-of-25, respectively.
Daoud became the third Bronco to reach 1,000 career points, and the first for Delhi in the NCAA era. The previous two came from the Broncos' junior college era: Stephen Hutchinson (1968-70) and Robert Sparks (1995-97). A transfer from Herkimer C.C., Daoud posted 538 points in two years as a General, and now with 462 points over the last two seasons with the Broncos. He became the first of several Broncos who could potentially reach the 1K mark this season. Dean's performance Monday drove him closer with 951 points, while Fragale is now over the 900 mark with 905. William Knight sits at 958 points.
Head coach Zack Thomsen's team rounds out their Northern Vermont University tour taking on Lyndon on Tuesday with a 2:00 p.m. start time. They return home later this week for two games, starting with Morrisville State Thursday at 3:00 p.m. and Maine Fort Kent Saturday at 2:00 p.m.