Boys Hoops: Rice Ends Up on Top of Rollercoaster 69-62 Matchup With Burlington

BURLINGTON — The Rice Memorial High School Green Knights saw an early 16 point lead slip away, but then outscored the Burlington Seahorses 35-17 down the stretch to come away with a 69-62 win on Thursday night inside Buck Hard Gym.

Rice roared out of the gate, riding the hot shooting of Michel Ndayishimiyeg, Jon Rousseau and Leo Chaiken to an 18-2 late first quarter lead. But BHS regrouped to trail 23-9 after a quarter, and then went on a run of their own, outscoring the Green Knights 24-7 in the second eight minutes, Kevin Garrison and Haji Haji combining for 18 0f the points and sending the ‘Horses to the locker room up three, 33-30 at the break.

Burlington carried their momentum into the third quarter, opening an 11 point lead at 45-34 midway in the stanza, but it was Rice’s turn to regroup, as the Green Knights scored the final 12 points of the quarter to take a 46-45 lead after three.  The visitors then outscored BHS 23-17 in the final eight minutes to come away with the win.

Ndayishimiyeg, Rice’s lightning quick freshman point guard led all scorers with 20 points. Rousseau added 19 and Chaiken finished with 17. Garrison led four ‘Horses in double figures with 18, while Jenson Daly and Haji each added 12 and James Taylor chipped in 10.

With the win Rice is 2-1. BHS is 0-1 0n the season.