11/18/2006 - (Riverdale, NY) - Senior Nathaniel Ripp (New York, NY/LaGuardia HS) scored a game-high 19 points and made the effort a double-double with 10 rebounds, and fellow senior Darnell Jones-Bey added 18 points as the Pratt Institute defeated Cooper Union, 71-65 in the opening round of the Hudson Valley Men's Athletic Conference (HVMAC) Basketball Tip-off at Mount Saint Vincent. The Cannoneers (2-0) will now face Berkeley College for the event Championship on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. Berkeley dominated Mount Saint Vincent 82-59 in the nightcap on Saturday.

Ripp was terrific early, scoring 14 points and adding seven rebounds during the first half of play as Pratt opened up a 13-point first half lead and led 36-26 at the half. The main difference early was free throw shooting as Cooper Union converted only seven of 19 foul shot attempts during the first half, while Pratt was 5 for 8 from the line.

Cooper Union (1-1) turned their play up a notch during the second half to make things interesting. Trailing 49-39 with 13:17 remaining, the Hawks went on an 11-1 run to tie the score at 50 with 7:20 left in the game. However, Jones-Bey scored 10 points during the final seven minutes to help seal the game for Pratt.

Overall, the game was as evenly played as they come as both teams shot 43% from the floor, and Cooper Union owned a slight rebounding edge (40-36). However, Cooper Union converted only 14 of 37 free throw attempts, marking the one major statistical difference between the teams.

For the Hawks, junior Evan Canfield (Columbia, CT/Windham HS) scored 14 points and added 11 rebounds for a double-double of his own, while freshman Daniel Wong added 13 points and six assists. Cooper Union will compete in Sunday's consolation round against Mount Saint Vincent that begins at 12:00 p.m.

In the day's second game, junior Kempes Gilles (Jamaica, NY/Springfield Gardens HS) scored 19 points after 9 for 11 shooting and the Knight defense forced 36 Mount Saint Vincent turnovers as Berkeley improved to 1-1 for the 2006 season with a dominating win against their HVMAC foe. Gilles led an incredible Berkeley shooting effort that saw the Knights shoot 54% from the floor. Gilles had a monster game, and 11 different Knights scored at least two points. Knight sophomore Jazmel Blake (Brooklyn, NY/Stevenson HS) added 10 points on 5 for 6 shooting.

The game was even early as the teams went neck and neck for the eight minutes and when Dolphin senior Kareem Wright (Bronx, NY/Cardinal Spellman) hit a free throw with 11:56 left to play in the first half, Berkeley led 13-12. However, a 13-1 Knight run put Berkeley ahead for good and the Knights cruised to a win. Dolphin sophomore Michael Jordan (Mamaroneck, NY/Mamaroneck HS) scored a team-high 19 points for the Mount (0-4), while Wright added 16 points.

The meeting was the first of three this season between the two teams as Mount Saint Vincent and Berkeley will meet two in HVWAC competition during the season.