Colonial Notebook
by Beth Iskoe
Stars
The Delaware tandem of junior guard Mike Ames and sophomore guard Mike Slattery has put together some pretty impressive games this season. That trend continued this past week at the Oneida Bingo & Casino Classic Championship. In the Hens’ 66-56 first round win over Eastern Washington, Ames scored a season-high 27 points and grabbed six rebounds, while Slattery added fifteen points, five rebounds and five assists. Then in Delaware’s loss to Wisconsin-Green Bay, Slattery scored a career-high 22 points, including twenty in the second half and Ames checked in with a solid nineteen-point performance, including fifteen in the first half.
Drexel senior center Robert Battle picked up his second and third straight double-doubles this past week. In the Dragons’ (4-4) victory over Colgate Monday night at home by a 75-54 margin, Battle scored sixteen points, pulled down thirteen boards and blocked seven shots. Then, in Drexel’s 78-61 home win over Philadelphia, Battle put up 23 points, thirteen rebounds and eight blocks.
Falling one rebound shy of the 20-20 mark was Hofstra sophomore forward Kenny Adeleke. Adeleke scored 24 points and grabbed nineteen rebounds in the Pride’s loss to Manhattan. The last Hofstra player to accomplish that feat was David Taylor during the 1981-82 season. Adeleke followed up that performance with a 24 point, thirteen rebound effort in the Pride’s loss to St. Peter’s.
In Old Dominion’s (3-5) surprising 84-76 road win over Atlantic-10 opponent George Washington, senior forward Ricardo Marsh led the way with 25 points and twelve rebounds.
And 1
Delaware’s 88-82 loss to Wisconsin-Green Bay in the Oneida Bingo & Casino Classic Championship was one of its most physical games in recent memory. The Hens (5-4) committed 34 fouls, their most since they had 36 fouls February 25th 1987 against Drexel. In addition, the Phoenix’s 48 free throw attempts were the most Delaware has allowed since Drexel had 53 in that same 1987 game.
Low outputs
In its last three halves, George Mason (5-4) has scored 21 points or less. In the second half of the Patriots’ 55-54 home victory over Hartford, George Mason managed only sixteen points, and was held scoreless for the final 3:46. In their 65-41 demolition by No. 3 Pittsburgh which ended their five-game winning streak, the Patriots were only able to put up twenty points in the first half and 21 in the second half. Their 41 point total output was the lowest of the season.
Blizzard watch
UNC Wilmington senior guard Brett Blizzard continued to move up the CAA career lists. He is currently fourth in three-pointers made with 288 and needs only six to move into third place. Blizzard is now sixth in three-point attempts with 681 and seventh in career steals with 200.
Streaking
UNC Wilmington (5-3) extended its winning streak to three straight by virtue of a 78-69 victory over a highly touted College of Charleston squad. Blizzard paced the Seahawks by scoring a game-high 22 points.
Free-fallin’
After losing 93-75 at home to Manhattan Monday and 77-64 on the road to St. Peter’s Saturday, Hofstra (1-8) has now dropped six straight. Even worse, is the 93 points the Pride gave up to Manhattan is the most total points Hofstra has allowed since the 1999-2000 season when it was defeated 98-86 by St. John’s.
Next up
After time off for exams, James Madison (5-3), Virginia Commonwealth (5-3) and William and Mary (2-4) return to action. This week also marks the start of CAA conference games.
Thursday January 2
Towson at Old Dominion at 6 p.m.
Charleston Southern at William and Mary at 7 p.m.
Drexel at James Madison at 7 p.m.
Delaware at George Mason at 7 p.m.
Hofstra at Virginia Commonwealth at 7 p.m.
Saturday January 4
Drexel at George Mason at 2 p.m.
Old Dominion at Virginia Commonwealth at 4 p.m.
Towson at William and Mary at 7 p.m.
Hofstra at UNC Wilmington at 7 p.m.
Delaware at James Madison at 7 p.m.
