Parker sets NCAA assists record in Sacred Heart victory

Dec 1, 2020, 10:52 pm

FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- Cameron Parker set an NCAA record with 24 assists and Koreem Ozier had a career-high 30 points as Sacred Heart routed Division III-member Pine Manor 101-57 on Sunday.

Parker, a 6 foot-2 sophomore guard out of Beaverton, Oregon, broke the record of 22 held by four players -- Oklahoma's Trae Young, Syracuse's Sherman Douglas, Charleston Southern's Tony Fairley and Southern University's Avery Johnson.

Parker tied the mark with 6:59 left in the game and broke it 32 seconds later, feeding E.J. Anosike for back-to-back layups and giving the Pioneers (4-4) an 85-49 lead. Parker's final assist also led to an Anosike layup with 5:13 remaining. The Pioneers finished with a school record 33 assists on 42 baskets. They also had a season-low 10 turnovers.

Parker, who set a Northeastern Conference freshman record last season with 213 total assists -- 17th best in the nation- took just two shots in the game and missed them both. He added seven rebounds and four steals before going to the bench with 3:11 left to play. Parker's previous high for assists in a game was 14.

Anosike had 26 points and 14 rebounds for the Pioneers (4-4) -- his third double-double of the season. Kinnon LaRose added 14 points and seven rebounds, while Tyler Thomas scored 10. Jare'l Spellman snagged 12 boards to help Sacred Heart win the rebound battle 50-38.

Jalen William had 20 points, eight rebounds and three blocks for the Gators. Sayvonn Houston added 17 points and 10 rebounds. Jalen Bruce had 10 points. He also had seven turnovers but only four assists.

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