Mikey McMahon (3) was one of several Bristol Central boys basketball players who came up big in a
much-needed 66-57 win over Berlin on Monday night. (Copyright, Sports on CT-69)
It has not been an easy season for the Bristol Central boys basketball team, but the Rams had something to be happy about Monday night.
Central squandered a double-digit lead, but showed toughness and persevered to a 66-57 CCC win over Berlin at the Charles C. Marsh Gymnasium. For the Rams (3-10), it was their first win since the consolation game of the Bristol Central Holiday Tournament against Capital Prep on Dec. 29, 2023. The victory snapped a seven-game losing streak. In that streak, however, were losses to Middletown (8-5), Lewis Mills (10-3), Xavier (12-3), Hall (8-6) and East Hartford (7-6). There was a tough two-point setback against Platt at home as well.
For Central, the big plays started late in the third quarter. Jaysun Dominguez dribbled up court on the final play of the quarter and found Mikey McMahon open in the left corner. McMahon’s 3-pointer just before the buzzer gave the Rams a 47-46 lead.
With the game tied at 53 in the fourth quarter, Dominguez scooped up a steal near the foul line at one end, then went the all the way to the basket, including dribbling through two Berlin defenders, for a 55-53 Central lead at the 4:41 mark.
The Redcoats tied the game, but Carmelo Thompson’s 3-pointer from the top of the key struck the back rim and softly fell through the net for a 58-55 lead with 4:02 to go. The Rams outscored the visitors, 8-2, the rest of the way to seal a much-needed victory.
Central outrebounded Berlin, 33-24, shot 54% from the field and 80% at the foul line, and held the Redcoats to 43% shooting from the floor, including 25% on 3-pointers.
