AMHERST, NY - Freshman Gerald Beverly (Rochester, NY/Gates Chili HS) nearly tore down the rims at Lusmden Gymnasium tonight as he dunked his way all over the visiting Fisher Falcons to lead Daemen (7-5, 1-0 AMC) to an 86-51 triumph in their American Mideast Conference opener as part of the Daemen Holiday Classic.  Beverly was 7-for-8 from the field, a total that included four highlight-reel slams that sent the Wildcats on their way.  Fisher, meanwhile, falls to 2-13 overall and 0-6 in the conference.

"Today was all about playing defense," said Daemen head coach Don Silveri.  "I challenged our team to step up defensively and apply pressure for 40 minutes and they responded."

Per Silveri's statement, the Daemen defense held court tonight, holding Fisher to 27% shooting (7-for-26) in the first half while forcing 28 turnovers for the game.  The Wildcats also notched a season-best 10 blocked shots, eight of which came in the first half as Fisher constantly attacked the basket and Wildcat defenders, more often that not, turned shots away as they protected the rim.

Beverly's points came in a reserve role and his effort helped Daemen get some breathing room after a shaky start to the game.  The Wildcats were aided by some undisciplined play from the Falcons who were whistled for three technical fouls in the last six minutes of the half.

Senior forward Dom Mazzocchi (Geneva, NY/Finger Lakes CC) matched Beverly's point total, all of which came in a first half that saw Daemen lead by 23 (42-19) at the intermission.

Also starring in reserve was senior Devon Dawson (Buffalo, NY/St. Joe's HS) who reached double figures with 11 points while dishing three assists and snatching two steals.  

Sophomore Kadeem Johnson (Syracuse, NY/Henninger HS) and junior Jim Regan (Williamsville, NY/Nichols HS) were a force to be reckoned with inside as they split 18 points and six blocked shots between them.  Johnson also grabbed a career-high 10 boards while Regan hauled in a season-best nine caroms as well.

Point guard Mark Coppola (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville South HS) was his usual self, flying all over the court as he dished out a game-high five assists to go with five rebounds.  Fellow sophomore Troy Nowak (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park HS) came off the bench to score eight while thieving three steals.

In the day's other men's game, St. Francis (IN) pulled away late to beat Western Ontario 66-54.  The Classic continues tomorrow when St. Francis faces Fisher at 2pm.  Daemen is in action vs. Western Ontario at 6pm.