FIELDSTON, NEW YORK – After a delayed start and tip-off coming a little after six o’clock, Fieldston wasted no time against the Cougars of Calhoun, beginning the game five-for-five from the field with a 12-4 lead. Thanks to Calhoun’s eight turnovers and 2/13 shooting from the field, Fieldston led 21-4 after the first quarter. The Eagles took that momentum into the second quarter, which they began with a 13-0 run to extend their lead to 34-4, capped off by a steal from forward Sam Bienvenu (Form VI) followed by a court-length pass to forward Lincoln Steinkamp (Form V) for a thunderous breakaway dunk. Steinkamp finished as Fieldston’s second-highest scorer with 14 points on 6/15 shooting (2/8 from three), with two rebounds, two assists and two steals. Calhoun managed a couple scores but trailed by a shocking score of 38-8 going into halftime, with 14 turnovers, just four field goals on 24 attempts and all 12 three-point shots missed.
The Cougars seemed to be turning it around early in the third quarter, making three straight threes to start the half and causing Fieldston head coach John Dwinell to use a timeout. Despite the timeout, Calhoun stayed strong on offense throughout the quarter, scoring 22 points on 8/13 shooting, 4/7 from three and 2/2 from the free throw line, with just three turnovers.
Even with a 56-30 lead, Dwinell maintained his full-court defensive pressure throughout the fourth quarter. The Eagles capitalized, as Calhoun turned the ball over seven more times and shot 1/9 (0/4 from three). Fieldston finished the game on its second 13-0 run of the game, ending with the second three-pointer of the game from guard Kai Sharifi (Form VI).
In the 69-34 victory, guard Ilan Chase (Form V) led the Eagles offensively with 15 points on 5/10 shooting (3/7 from three), with three rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Forward Kiki Gilbert (Form VI) and Bienvenu powered Fieldston on defense with four steals apiece. Gilbert added four points (2/5 shooting), six rebounds, an assist and a block; Bienvenu contributed 12 points on 4/6 shooting (2/3 from three) and 2/2 from the line, three rebounds, an assist and a block. Guard Shaan Daly (Form V) scored 12 (5/8 shooting, 2/4 from three) and added a rebound, two assists and a steal.
With the win, the Eagles improved to 2-0 on the year and will now prepare for their Monday afternoon game at Collegiate. Calhoun fell to 2-2 on the season, their next game coming Monday afternoon versus Columbia Prep.
