Daytona Beach, Fla. (12/17/23) The Dominican University New York men's basketball team took down the Hilltoppers of West Liberty University this afternoon in their opening game of the Daytona Beach Shootout from the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Florida.

The Chargers, #4 in the D2CSC East Region Poll, shot 44.9% from the field and hit a total of 11 threes to improve to 8-1 overall on the season. 

The Hilltoppers, #6 in the NABC National Coaches Poll and #5 in the D2CSC National Poll, falls to 8-2 overall on the season. 

Seth Sharif-Brown (Hackensack, N.J.), Joshua Serrano (Amityville, N.Y.), and Jaden Honis (Bridgewater, N.J.) combined for 70 points to lead Dominican to victory. Sharif-Brown shared a game-high 24 points and recorded a team-high nine boards. Serrano also scored 24 points which is a season high and included a team-high four three-pointers. 

Jaden Honis scored a career high 22 points which included going 10-14 from the free-throw line. Joseph Merrill (Derry, N.H.) scored 11 points while Joshuel White (Paterson, N.J.) and Javel Cherry (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) each scored eight points. White also recorded five boards and three assists.

The Chargers trailed the Hilltoppers early in the first half by eight points but Dominican fought their way back and jumped out in front. 

The Chargers used a 21-5 run down the stretch of the first half and put up a big 64 first half points for their largest lead of the game. 

Dominican held a double digit lead throughout most of the second half before the Hilltoppers were able to fight their way back and cut the DU lead to 104-97 with over one minute left to play. 

The Chargers went 9-12 from the free-throw line down the stretch and secured the 112-101 victory. 

Dominican returns to action tomorrow when they wrap up their trip to Daytona Beach as they take on St. Mary's University (TX) at 5:00 PM.