Vinny DeAngelo ’24, a senior from Aston, PA, led Swarthmore men’s basketball to a narrow victory over No. 17-ranked Johns Hopkins University last Saturday. DeAngelo scored the game-winning go-ahead layup with 1.9 seconds on the clock to defeat the Blue Jays, 71-70. The senior, named this week’s Centennial Conference Athlete of the Week, also tallied a season-high of 28 points to lead all scorers. The victory concluded Swarthmore’s regular season play.
DeAngelo was also integral in Swarthmore’s win against Ursinus College on Wednesday night. The fourth-seeded Garnet defeated the fifth-seeded Bears, 80-65, in the first round of the Centennial Conference tournament. DeAngelo tallied a team-high of 21 points, leading the program to their seventh-straight win. Swarthmore will face Gettysburg College in the conference semifinals on Friday.
Sophia Vesely: Can you tell us about the Garnet victory against Johns Hopkins on Saturday? What does this win mean for the team?
Vinny DeAngelo: It was a hard-fought win on Saturday. We started the game strong and then there were a bunch of lead changes in the final minutes. We just stuck together and sunk to the level of training to win the game. This win felt great like any other win and we’re hoping to use the momentum we’ve gained for the conference tournament.
SV: How did it feel to make the game-winning layup?
VD: It felt good to make that layup. As soon as it went in I looked up at the clock, saw there was still time left, and just focused on getting myself and the guys ready for getting one more stop on defense.
SV: How did it feel to finish regular-season play on a six-game win streak?
VD: I am happy to finish the regular season on a little win streak. We are playing our best basketball at the right time.
SV: What are the team’s goals for conference play?
VD: Our goal is to win the conference tournament.
SV: What are some of your personal goals for the rest of the season?
VD: Personally, I want to win the conference tournament.
SV: Do you have any pre- or post-game rituals?
VD: Pre-game, I like to shoot around earlier in the day and listen to a Big Booty mix. I cannot perform at the level I want to unless I have a Big Booty mix in my ear on game day. Afterwards, I get dinner with the guys before I go back to my room and relax for a little bit. Right before the game, I have a very strict stretching and activation routine that takes about 45 minutes. Then, after an ankle tape, I’m ready for the game.
SV: Why did you choose Swarthmore, and what are you studying?
VD: I chose Swarthmore because it is one the best colleges academically and has one of the best basketball programs in the country too. I am majoring in economics.
SV: What is your favorite Dining Center bar?
VD: My favorite dining center bar is overnight oats bar.
