With a record-tying effort from beyond the arc and some of the best individual performances all season, men’s basketball completed a weekend sweep at Ratner.
Chicago matched the UAA record for most three-pointers in a game, and third-year forward John Kinsella scored 49 points over the past two matchups to help the Maroons get their first back-to-back wins this season. The record 17 treys against Brandeis (12–8, 5–4 UAA) lifted the squad to a 90–81 win on Friday, and Kinsella scored a season-high 27 points as Chicago clipped NYU 74–69 (13–7, 2–7) on Sunday.
As of this weekend, the South Siders have won three of their last four contests, and their record has improved to 4–16 overall, with a 4–5 mark in UAA play. They currently hold the fifth spot in league standings, and their new momentum could help them rise even further.
“I was very pleased with the team this weekend,” head coach Mike McGrath said. “They played as a unit as well as [they have] all season. I sincerely hope that it will continue for the remainder of the season.”
Making a quick break for the basket, the Judges were the first to score, but third-year guard Jake Pancratz responded with the Maroons’ first three-pointer of the night. Pancratz finished the game going 4–5 from beyond the arc and collecting 17 points.
As a team, Chicago connected on 17 of 26 field-goal attempts from three-point range. Setting up the shot from downtown used to be the bread and butter of the Maroons, but they’ve struggled this season, posting a .348 average from distance.
Sinking 10 three-pointers, while limiting the Judges to four treys, Chicago bumped up its lead to as much as 13 points in the first half. The squad went into the break ahead by 10 at 38–28.
Returning to the floor, the Maroons continued to drive up the score. They pushed their advantage to as high as 19 points after first-year guard Michael Sustarsic nailed a three at the 8:01 mark, putting Chicago up 73–54.
Sustarsic had 19 points on the night, and all five starters finished in double digits. Kinsella led the Maroons with 22 points, and fourth-year forward Adam Machones posted 16 to go with 11 assists for his first career double-double.
“John and Adam were terrific this weekend,” McGrath said. “Obviously they had some very good statistical lines, but more importantly they led with energy and enthusiasm.”
The court dynamic of Kinsella and Machones didn’t make the win a sure thing, however. The Judges threatened a comeback when they whittled the gap down to 83–77 with just 53 seconds left to play. But six points was as close as they got, and Kinsella capped off the night with a layup for the 90–81 win.
Against NYU two days later, Kinsella again had the magic touch. He led all scorers with 27 points, 16 of those coming in the first stanza. Kinsella has now notched 20 or more points in four games this season.
Chicago took an early lead that it never surrendered to the Violets, but the visitors came close to tying after fourth-year center John Mish hit back-to-back layups to bring NYU within two at 67–65 and 4:39 to play.
The Maroons, though, would hit 7–10 free throws down the stretch, holding back the Violets and securing a 74–69 victory. Chicago also gained a little momentum for heading out to Case (6–14, 3–6) and Emory (6–14, 1–8) this weekend.
Adding to Kinsella’s success against NYU was Machones, who chipped in 17 points and pulled down eight rebounds. Pancratz also had an impressive day, collecting 16 points and four assists to preserve the Maroons’ lead.
