America East Notebook
by Adam Reich
In Boston, the Terriers (8-6, 3-0) jumped out to an early lead and looked as if they were going to blowout the Catamounts (8-7, 3-1). However, trailing 53-35 with just over 8:00 minutes remaining in the game, Vermont started to rally. Fueled by a tenacious full-court press, the Catamounts clawed back into the game. They held BU without a field goal for over a five-minute stretch, and got to within 55-52 with just under three minutes to play. But that would be as close as Vermont would get, as clutch foul shooting down the stretch helped the Terriers hold on for the narrow 65-62 victory.
Paul Seymour led BU with seventeen points, including four straight free throws that iced the game. Rashad Bell contributed twelve points and five rebounds, but it was his remarkable defensive effort on Taylor Coppenrath, the conference’s leading scorer, that made him the star of the game. Bell had a career-high five blocks, and held Coppenrath to just six-of-nineteen shooting.
The rest of the best
The Great Danes (4-9, 1-2) recorded their first ever victory in America East play when they knocked off New Hampshire (2-11, 1-3) at home Saturday, 61-58. Trailing 56-52, with just over three minutes remaining, Albany scored seven straight points to take a 59-52 lead. However, it was not until a Jeff Senulis desperation three missed, that the Great Danes could begin celebrating. Jamar Wilson netted sixteen points and had a career-high six assists.
On Wednesday, Albany just missed another upset, this time against preseason conference favorite Boston University. They held a 55-51 advantage with five minutes and change remaining in the game, but just could not hold the lead. Four Great Danes scored in double figures; led by freshman Jamar Wilson’s seventeen. Rashad Bell had a monster game for the Terriers, finishing with a career-best 21 points. Bell hit all thirteen of his free throw attempts, and added eight rebounds and a pair of blocks.
Five Hawks finished in doubles figures as Hartford (7-6, 3-0) defeated Northeastern 82-75, Saturday at home. The Hawks remained atop the America East standings by fighting back from early shooting woes. After hitting just five of their first 22 field goal attempts, the Hawks hit eight-of-ten to close the half and take a 40-38 lead at intermission. More hot shooting, especially from Aaron Cook, five-of-seven from behind the arc, was too much for Northeastern (7-8, 0-2) to overcome.
A shootout took place in the Green Mountains of Vermont on Wednesday, with the Catamounts outscoring the Huskies 89-81. Grant Anderson recorded the school’s first triple-double since the late Kevin Roberson in 1992. To go along with his eleven points and thirteen rebounds, Anderson dished out a career-high ten assists. This slugfest saw seven players score in double figures, with Taylor Coppenrath leading Vermont with 29, and Javorie Wilson pacing NU with 23.
Binghamton (7-6, 2-1) held off a late charge by visiting Stony Brook (5-8, 0-3) to score a 64-59 victory on Saturday. Trailing 53-40, the Seawolves went on a 13-4 run, but ran out of gas at the end. Down the stretch, accurate free throw shooting sealed the win for the Bearcats. Binghamton was led by Anthony Green’s twenty points and three steals. D.J. Munir paced Stony Brook with seventeen points in the losing effort.
Maine (6-9, 1-2) put a pounding on Albany last Friday with a 90-71 victory at home. The Black Bears 59 percent from the field and out-rebounded the Great Danes 37-25. The game was basically over at the half with Maine holding a 47-24 advantage. Rickey White scored 21 points for Maine, while Justin Rowe hit all six of his field goal attempts while adding seven boards.
Player of the week
Rashad Bell, Boston University
Game to watch
Boston University at Hartford, Saturday January 18th at 2 p.m.
Should Hartford win at Binghamton and BU defeat Stony Brook at home on Wednesday, this game will match the only two teams with unblemished conference records.
