Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Notebook
by Matthew Moll
Streak and Juan snapped
Luckily very few fortnights passed before Jimmy Patsos is able to earn his first victory as a head coach of the Loyola Greyhounds as his Hound’s defeated the Niagara Purple Eagles 97-89. The win clotted an already bleeding season and in turn halted a 13 game losing streak. Patsos’ and his team’s win rouses suspicion that they may also be competitive in the conference after stunning a stalwart.
Not to be forgotten was the performance of Juan Mendez, not so much his place which has become a delightful commonplace (20 and 13 before being asked to leave early), but rather the two technical fouls the referees found him culpable for while play was stopped. With 7:52 to play Mendez was shown the door like Paul Sorvino did to Ray Liotta in Goodfellas, leaving his team without their leading scorer.
Oh won’t you Play-ay-ay just a little bit longer
Fairfield had a lucrative week in the win department, but it did not come without a little extra effort.
The Stags posted two overtime wins last week en route to a perfect showing. Tim O’Toole and his team needed two extra five minute slots to complete the win over the Jaspers and were taken to the last possession by the Golden Griffins.
Turns out… there’s some parity
Those with such prescience pegged this season a four horse race may consider otherwise. In the seven MAAC games this week there were two overtime games (one of which went to double overtime), three games that were decided by one point, and only one game decided by double digits (St. Peter’s over Loyola), but that loss was followed promptly by the non-winners with a win over a heavily favored opponent (Niagara).
What does all this mean? Well this means that the four teams regarded as competing for the MAAC crown will a) have to show up to every night and b) are not safe nor alone in the conference. Canisius, not considered a likely candidate for spoiler had Fairfield beat, and only lost to Niagara by five. Mendez-less Niagara fell to Loyola, which spells motivator for the Gary Williams protégé and means another team has some momentum. And while all this is going on Rider sneaks by Marist and Iona, and it’s not even the first of the year.
No need to panic or be ecstatic
For fans of Manhattan, St. Peter’s, and Siena there is still time. As for Rider and Loyola fans, it’s still early. So saddle up, should be fun.
Player of the Week
Kudjo Sogadzi, Sr., Fairfield 17.5 ppg and 4.5 rpg in a 2-0 MAAC week, including two Klutch baskets in the wins.
Newcomer of the Week
Brad Farrell, Fr., Loyola, went for14.7 ppg, 2.3 apg for the ‘Hounds who were 1-1 this week.
Game of the Week
Out of conference style: St. Peter’s at Seton Hall on Dec. 11
Rider Broncos (4-1, 2-0)
Two wins thanks to timely Thompson: A jumper and a put back placed the Broncos atop the MAAC at least for now. Jason Thompson came off the bench to sink an open shot with 1:05 remaining to relegate Marist to the losing end of a 76-75 score. The Broncos bench provided the needed sparks getting the winner from the aforementioned Thompson and 21 points from Will Whittington.
December 5 gave way to its own drama when Thompson tipped in a teammates inaccurate attempt with five seconds left to decide the contest, 62-61 over Iona. Twelve times the lead changed hands coupled with six ties to define the fluctuating tilt. A second half 13-2 run generated a six-point lead for the Broncos, but that would be the largest margin for either team until time expired. Greg Jenkins led the way for the Gaels with 22. The win puts Rider’s streak at four, the team’s longest since the 2001-2002 season.
Can it go to six: Dec. 9, Fairleigh Dickinson and Dec. 11, Delaware
Fairfield Stags (4-2, 2-0)
Getting paid time and a half: Two games, three extra sessions, two wins for the Stags. Fairfield’s first MAAC contest pitted Team-Two-Time-Defending-Champs Manhattan against Deng Gai and his block party. Manhattan’s Jeff Xavier forced the first overtime by hitting two free throws in as many attempts. During OT the Stags swapped 7-0 runs with the Jaspers to keep the game tight. Kujo Sogadizi hit a layup with 43 ticks left to force the second overtime. In the second overtime the Stags posted a 14-6 run to situate an insurmountable lead to seal it. DeWitt Maxwell and Terrance Todd each poured in 22 while Gai went for 13 points 9 rebounds and swatted seven shots in the 81-73 win.
Fairfield’s first game in December collided the Stags with Canisius. Dewitt Doss spoiled the Stag’s lead by draining a jumper as time expired to send the game into an extra stanza. Sogadzi decided to show up for the second half and overtime connecting for 25 and cradled 20 caroms while also icing the road win with three seconds left and the eventual 81-80 win. Gai again proved to be an eraser of shots sending six Griff’s attempts back to the senders. Gai and his didactical defensive clinics has accounted for 5.2 blocks per game.
Anyone else care to join us on our block?: Dec 7, St. Joe’s and Dec. 11, Fordham
St. Peter’s Peacocks (2-2, 1-0)
One time one time: The Peacocks extended Loyola’s losing streak to 13 games after nearly dropping a 100 spot on the Greyhounds, winning 99-83. Terrance Watkins blew up for 31 points and dropped eight dimes. Corey Hinnant added 23, while Keydren Clark continued his assault on 20-point performances, putting in 21. St. Peter’s still permitted five double-digit scorers.
Let’s play D: Dec. 11 at Seton Hall
Niagara Purple Eagles (4-2, 1-1)
Which Juan will show? The split week began with another dominating outing by Juan Mendez, pouring in his seventh 30-point game of his career in an 87-82 over Canisius. James Mathis went for a double-double, dropping a double 13. The Purple Eagles were engaged in a fluctuating bout until the 3:33 mark, when the Eagles went ahead 77-76 and did not renounce the lead.
This week’s loss came courtesy of a team that had not won in its previous 13 tries. The Loyola Greyhounds dropped the Purple Eagles to 1-1 in the MAAC, defeating Niagara 97-89. Mendez was on his way to another stellar night before self destructing, receiving his second technical and being promptly escorted off the court. Before the ruckus, Mendez recorded his first double-double of the season, hitting for 20 points and 13 rebounds. Loyola had five players in double figures while shooting 54.9 percent from the field.
Mendez no longer a menace?: Dec. 8, Yale and Dec. 11, Buffalo
Loyola MD Greyhounds (1-5, 1-1)
Already ahead of schedule: Freshman Brad Farrell led the Hounds with 18 in a 99-83 loss to St. Peter’s on December 2. Loyola was down by as many as 19 before pulling within 10, but finally succumbed to the sizzling Peacocks, who shot 54 percent from the field.
Already Patsos has as many wins as his predecessor did all of last season with a convincing win over a venerable opponent. Shane James went for 27, including going a faultless 9-9 from the field and grabbed eight boards. Charlie Bell added 20 points, 14 of which were earned at the free-throw line. The once morose marksmen of the MAAC shot 55 percent from the field as a team en route to not even flirting with the ill-fated “streak.”
Doubling it: St. Mary’s on Dec. 11
Siena Saints (0-6, 0-0)
An un-Saintly streak?: Winthrop gave Siena a 0-6 start with a 67-58 win over the Saints. Antoine Jordan scored 14, while Michael Haddix added 13 and four assists in the loss. Winthrop held Siena to 36.7 percent from the field.
Shall we pray?: Dec. 8 against Manhattan and Dec. 11 against Iona.
Manhattan Jaspers (3-2, 0-1)
Defending champs: The 0-2 week began with a double OT loss to Fairfield. The Jaspers started with an 8-0 run and held the Stags scoreless over the first nine minutes, then Fairfield awoke from the static start and turned the game into a formidable match.
Jeff Xavier sent the game into overtime with two free throws. The first OT began with a 7-0 Manhattan run, but Fairfield responded with a carbon copy of that stretch and sent the game to the final extra period. Manhattan could not match Fairfield’s intensity in the second extra session and fell 81-73. Peter Mulligan went for 19, while Arturo Dubios scored 14.
Manhattan’s winless week ended with a 76-60 loss to nationally ranked North Carolina State. The Jaspers were always within striking distance until the second half, but NC State would not allow the lead to fall below eight after the 13-minute mark. All-American candidate Julius Hodge scored 17 points and grabbed 11 boards along with seven assists for State.
Looking to start somewhere: Dec. 9 at Siena.
Iona Gaels (2-4, 0-1)
Time for a Gael-la event: The Gaels put up a goose egg in the win column for the week after a 64-59 loss Fordham and a 62-61 heart-pounder to Rider. Steve Burtt lead the Gaels with 21, but it was not enough as Fordham sealed the win with 1:36 left in the game.
An offensive rebound and follow-up basket with six seconds left pilfered from the Gaels their first win of the MAAC season. Greg Jenkins went for 22 in the loss, including the shot that gave the Gaels their last lead at 61-60. Burtt’s last-second heave rimmed out.
Ending the O-fer?: Dec. 8 at George Mason and a Dec. 11 at Siena.
Marist Red Foxes (2-4, 0-1)
It’s all in the Marist: The Red Foxes could not capitalize on Will McClurkin’s 22 points and Ryan Stilphen’s first career double-double as they fell 76-75 to Rider. Rider was able to quell the comeback at the 1:05 mark, scoring the deciding basket.
Ready to roll: Dec. 6, St. Peter’s and Dec. 10, Lafayette
Canisius Golden Griffins (1-3, 0-2)
Needing an Alchemist for the Griffs: Despite shooting a season high 44.3 percent from the field, the Griffs were not able to halt the soaring Eagles, falling 87-82 to Niagara. Dewitt Doss and Kevin Downey scored 22 and 21 points, respectively for the Griffs. A 10-4 run pulled the Griffs within one at 77-76, but that is as close as Canisius would get.
The week ended with an overtime loss to the Stags. Doss came up clutch with 2.7 seconds left to send the game into the extra slot. The Griffs last led at 71-69, but could not permeate the Stags’ defense enough to steal a win, falling 81-80.
Mr. Cohen anyone: Dec. 11, Eastern Michigan.
