Bucks County Community College is extremely proud to announce their Men’s Basketball team has made it to the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Division II tournament.
This milestone marks a historic achievement for the program, as this is the first time the Bucks Centurions have earned a spot in the prestigious tournament. Not only did they qualify, but they also made an impressive run, capturing the hearts of fans and showcasing their grit on the national stage.
In Buffalo, N.Y., on March 11 at 12:15 p.m., the tenth-seeded Bucks Centurions faced off against the seventh-seeded Penn State DuBois in a thrilling first-round matchup. The game turned into a dramatic battle that would ultimately go into overtime. With everything on the line, the Centurions rose to the occasion and won 92-89, earning their first-ever victory in the USCAA tournament.
This triumph was an extraordinary feat that no one at Bucks had experienced before. Tyshaun Dukes was a standout in the game, coming off the bench to deliver a dominant performance. Dukes not only recorded a double-double with 24 points, but he also displayed a remarkable ability to crash the boards, with five of those rebounds coming on the offensive glass. His performance was a key factor in keeping the game close and ultimately propelling the team to victory.
The most iconic moment of the game came from Octavio Alexander, whose clutch three-pointer with only two seconds remaining in overtime sealed the win for the Centurions. Alexander finished the game with 20 points and three steals, providing a crucial defensive spark in the second half. His performance exemplified the team’s resilience as well as their ability to execute under pressure.
Starting guard Jeremy Henry also had a major impact, contributing with five steals, including four in the first half alone. His defensive tenacity helped disrupt Penn State DuBois’s offensive flow and kept the Centurions in the game.
Tyshaun Dukes’ offensive explosion in the first half, where he scored 17 points while missing just one shot, played a pivotal role in keeping the team in control for much of the game. The game evolved into a heavyweight boxing match in the second half, with both teams refusing to back down. Penn State DuBois and the Centurions exchanged blows, each team fighting for every point. But when the pressure was at its peak, the Centurions dug deep, remained tough, and pulled out the win, showing their resilience and mental toughness.
Unfortunately, the Centurions’ remarkable run came to an end shortly after this thrilling victory. In their next contest, they faced the second-seeded Cincinnati-Clermont and fell 95-79. Despite their best efforts, the Centurions couldn’t overcome the higher-seeded team, who had been dominant throughout the season. In their final game of the tournament, the Centurions faced Vermont State University Randolph in the consolation round, but they suffered another tough loss, 75-62. Despite the losses in the later rounds, Bucks County Community College’s Men’s Basketball team demonstrated incredible growth, determination and spirit throughout the tournament and the whole season. Their historic appearance in the USCAA Division II tournament and the victory over Penn State DuBois will remain a high point for the program.
The team has shown that they are capable of competing with the best. The Centurions’ performance this season marks the hopeful beginning of a bright future for Bucks Basketball.
The Men’s Basketball Team 2024-2025 squad: 0-Octavio Alexander
1-Tyler Riddle
2-Jeremy Henry
3-Craig Stargell
4-Noah Morris
5-George Marion
10-Roberto Maldonado
11-Al Corsino
12-Ethan Flail
13-Yaasir Muhammad
15-Niko Bianco
20-Maayan Elyada
23-Tyshaun Dukes
24-Jaquis Heath