Former Celtic Dana Barros Opens Bulldogs Season

The Bunker Hill Community College Men's Bulldogs opened up their new gymnasium by mauling Holyoke Community College, 96-67 Tuesday night.

The Bunker Hill Community College Men's Basketball team played their first game in their new gymnasium, located in the recently opened Health and Wellness Center, Tuesday night. The Bulldogs also honored former Boston Celtic point guard Dana Barros, who threw up the ceremonial jump ball before the start of the game.

"Anytime you're honored I think it's something that you have to be humbled by," said Barros, who played six of his 14 seasons in the NBA for the Celtics before the game. "I have known [BHCC Athletic Director] Chris [Jones] for a long time. I know what he stands for, so for him to be honoring me, I feel pretty good about that."

Although Holyoke won the tipoff, the Bulldogs quickly bit back after Forward Shawn Stanislaus got a steal which led to Romelson Cius laying in the first basket for the Bulldogs on their new home court.

However, Hoyloke shot back, taking a 10-7 lead before Romelson Cius hit a 3-pointer to tie the game at 10. The game remained close until midway through the first half when Bulldogs Guard Matthew Bodden scored the go-ahead layup off of a Dereck McIntyre steal. The basket put Bunker Hill up 23-22, and they never looked back.

The Bulldogs went on a scoring run at the end of the first half, and led 47-29 at halftime. They exploded again in the second half with Romelson Cius hitting another layup, and later draining a 3-point shot to put the Bulldogs up 56-34.

Bunker Hill lead by as many as 39 points in the second half. In the final second of the game Guard Victor Smith sealed the game with the gymnasium's first dunk. Matthew Bodden led the Bulldogs with 23 points, followed by Guard Diovanni McCloud scored 16 points. Guards Romelson Cius and Victor Smith both added 14 point in the 96-67 win.

"I just build off of every game," said Bodden, who is playing his first season for the Bulldogs, of his 23 points after the win. "It feels pretty good I'd say, just trying to work hard every game."

Although for some players, like Bodden, seeing the home crowd for the first time was special, it was extra special for hold-overs from last year's team, who remember having to play home games off campus.

"After last year, playing on the road, even though we had a designated home spot, but it wasn't near Charlestown, so I feel blessed to have a gym now to get out students and out faculty to come watch the game," said Romelson Cius after the game. "I feel like that was the competitive edge that we needed, because at times we felt like we were playing away the whole time. When we have that crowd involved that gave us a little extra energy that we need."