Zion Cruz trends up, while the basketball of the driver Men hopes for men on the Maac tournament – Trentonian

Just when they were ready to write off Zion Cruz and Rider, they reminded them of what they can do.

Cruz had his best game in the uniform with 23 points to lead six players in two figures, and the Broncs won their chances in Maac tournament in Atlantic City on Friday evening in Merrimack (83-78).

How good was Cruz?

The native of Trenton native, together with a few clutch free throws with the best 23 points on the 9-von-10 points, achieved a two-Volks game with 18 seconds.

Cruz has been on an upward track in the last five games. During this range, he achieved an average of 17 points to 53.3% from the field and 53.8% (14-to-26) on 3 pointers.

The 3-point shootout is the biggest change compared to the beginning of the season. It is 37.5% in 56 attempts in 18 MAAC games and there was a heavier nutrition from Catch-and-shoot on 3S.

“My teammates just find me at the right times,” said Cruz. “You want me to make this game, so I stepped and made the game. My teammates only believed in me. “

The well-used Cruz was once a top 50-high school view, but had his career at a crossroad. He started in Depaul and then spent a year in a Juco in Kansas.

Now he is back home and starts making the best of it.

In the last 10 games he has reached eight double numbers and is second in the team to score 11.8 points in the league game.

“Everything starts in practice,” said Cruz. “If we continue to have great practices that will appear in the game.”

Rider (11-18, 7-11) can secure a place in Atlantic City by winning his last two games against Canisius and Niagara next week. The broncs are one and a half games ahead of Saint Peter and Niagara – both are in action on Sunday while Rider is eliminated – for the 10th and last place.

Anything but a sweep and they would rely on Tiebreaker.

“We have to be ready to win the next game. No disappointment, ”said coach Kevin Baggett. “Obviously, every game is now important and what is better than hopefully having our fans out there to support us on the track.”

Originally published: March 1, 2025 at 9:56 a.m. EST