JERSEY CITY, N.J. – We take a tempo free look back at the week.
LIU Brooklyn 86, St. Francis(NY) 77
Those of you who exited MSG after the St. John’s clunker against Cincinnati, too bad. You missed a good, competitive contest between the Northeast Conference front runner and a serious challenger. Throw in the Brooklyn rivalry and we had a game. The NEC leader prevailed largely due to an above average offensive efficiency.
In an uptempo game with LIU Brooklyn using 79 possessions and St. Francis 80 the final efficiency numbers:
LIU Brooklyn 109
St. Francis 96
The Blackbirds’ turnover rate was a bit high at 22%. They compensated though with an eFG percentage of 55%. Shooting cures a lot of ailments. Rebounding was an LIU sore spot as the Terriers held a 39-27% edge in offensive rebounding. The performance under the glass was a priority for LIU Brooklyn coach Jim Ferry to address.
Akeem Johnson was difficult to handle as the 6-8 St. Francis junior led all scorers with 24 points, adding eight boards. LIU Brooklyn had four double-digit scorers. The leader was 6-7 Jamal Olasewere with 21 points, 11 rebounds. Olasewere with his size and quickness proved to be a matchup problem for the Terriers all night. LIU Brooklyn improved to a conference leading 12-1. St. Francis dropped to 10-3 in the NEC.
Those who exited early left a good one.
Marist 66, St. Peter’s 47
No matter how this campaign plays out for coach Chucky Martin and Marist, this is certain. They own a sweep of the defending MAAC champions. After a slow start and 7-2 deficit, the Red Foxes went on a run, built a lead and never looked back. In a deliberate 60 possession game, the offensive efficiency:
Marist 110
St. Peter’s 78
Marist enjoyed a 50% (18 of 36) mark from two-point range. In all their eFG percentage was an impressive 50%. Credit a lot of that to a 39-19% edge in offensive rebounding percentages. It was just a long night for John Dunne’s St. Peter’s club.
The pace was to Marist’s advantage. In the half court setting they showed more patience, found good shots and distributed the ball with more proficiency. They assisted on 12 of their 23 field goals made, a 52% rate.
Devin Price of Marist logged 40 minutes and led all scorers with 20 points. Early in the game some local fans behind us on press row were ‘on’ Price. As the game wore on any potential heckling turned to admiration. In the height of efficiency, Price used 20% of Marist’s possessions. A exemplary night for the Junior guard.
Marist is 4-9 in the MAAC, St. Peter’s 4-10.
