Rush The Court

Ray Floriani is the RTC correspondent for the MAAC and NEC conferences.

Reader’s Take 

The Week That Was

• Recapping: Now we can get on with the conference games. The early portion of the schedule gives you the opportunity to face local rivals in other leagues (Manhattan-Fordham for one) and the chance to visit different sections of the country. Frequent flier miles may be added by a visit a few time zones away. By this time, though, everyone is ready for conference play to begin. Two MAAC games per team are in the books. St. Peter’s is 1-1 and 2-11 overall. After Wednesday’s 76-67 loss to Lehigh, John Dunne spoke of his St. Peter’s team and their mindset. “We are young and early our kids did not know how to stay in games,” he said. “Now they can stay in but we have to learn about closing them and winning. It’s all a process.” Dunne pointed out the 1-1 MAAC record and the conference schedule provides a “second season. Our kids are upbeat and working,” Dunne said. “They take the MAAC schedule as a chance to start over again.” New Year’s brings new hope and resolutions. Into the MAAC schedule everyone goes, sharing those positive aspirations.
• Player of the Week:  Brandon Penn, 6’8″, Sr., F, Rider – In a win at Monmouth, Penn tied a career-high with 26 points while setting personal bests of 15 rebounds and six 3-point field goals.
• Rookie of the Week: Evan Hymes, 5’8″, Fr., G, Siena – Scored 22 points while handing out six assists in the Saints’ big win over Princeton.

Standings

Team, MAAC record, overall record

Power Rankings

1. Iona – On a three-game win streak. Most recent win as an 83-65 decision over William & Mary on the road. Gaels have played seven straight away from home and have captured six. The lone loss was at Marshall. Lamont Jones (15.7 PPG) and Sean Armond (6.8 PPG) paced Iona in the most recent win. Scott Machado scored six points but added a double-double with a 10-rebound, 10-assist effort.
2. Loyola – Saw an eight-game winning streak end with consecutive road losses at St. Bonaventure and Kentucky. Sophomore forward Justin Drummond had a 26-point, five-rebound effort at St. Bonaventure. Erik Etherly starred at Kentucky with a 14-point (7-of-8 from the floor) , 11-board outing.
3. Manhattan – Five-game win streak was ended with an 81-62 loss at George Mason. George Beamon paced the Jaspers with 18 points but did commit seven turnovers. On the season, the Jaspers are forcing opponents into a 23% TO rate but have been guilty of a 25% rate on their end.
4. Fairfield – Dropped a competitive 79-71 game to UConn in Hartford. Rakim Sanders led the way with a 20-point, 7-rebound effort. Stags had four players in double figures but were too generous on the defensive end allowing a 118 offensive efficiency to the Huskies. Stags then headed to the City of Brotherly Love and were dealt a 77-69 setback by Drexel. Sanders led Fairfield with 17 points.
5. Marist – Red Foxes have won four of the last six. They defeated Columbia 79-59 at the McCann Center. Marist showed an outstanding 11% TO rate and was led in scoring by Devin Price’s 22 points. Chavaughn Lewis added 18 points for Marist who had four players hit double figures.
6. St. Peter’s – Dropped three at the Athletes in Action Classic in Logan, Utah before coming home and suffering a 76-67 loss to Lehigh. Peacocks have lost six straight. Darius Conley had a solid 16-point, 10-board outing against Lehigh. Lamin Fulton also had 16 points. Coach John Dunne is counting on added production from the Fulton, a freshman guard.
7. Siena – Following a win over Princeton, the Saints made it two straight by defeating Florida Atlantic, 67-60. Siena put four players in double figures, led by O. D. Anosike’s game pacing 17 points. Anosike also grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds for the Saints, who used only six players but saw each enter the scoring column.
8. Niagara – Snapped a two-game skid with a 92-75 victory over UMBC at the Gallagher Center. Marvin Jordan led the way with 23 points while Juan’ya Green added 20. Jordan also added five rebounds from the guard spot. Purple Eagles had an outstanding 10% TO rate in that win.
9. Canisius – Dropped a 59-45 decision to Loyola (Chicago). Harold Washington and Gabby Belardo paced the Griffs with 10 points each. Slower paced, 60 possession game, saw Canisius only post a 75 offensive efficiency. Griffs rebounded the next night for a 75-66 victory over Binghamton. Washington led the way with 27 points.
10. Rider – Broncs made it two straight with a 74-62 victory at Monmouth. Brandon Penn was a force all over the floor for Rider. The 6’8″ senior forward scored 26 points and added 15 rebounds (six offensive). In addition to his inside work, Penn was 6 of 10 from beyond the arc.

Looking Ahead

Some of the more notable MAAC games to keep an eye out for:

• Sunday, Jan. 1: Canisius at Fairfield
• Monday, Jan. 2: St. Peter’s at Marist, Niagara at Loyola
• Tuesday, Jan. 3: Siena vs. Iona at Madison Square Garden
• Wednesday, Jan. 5: Canisius at St. Peter’s, Manhattan at Loyola
• Thursday, Jan. 6: Marist at Rider, Fairfield at Siena, Niagara at Iona
• Friday, Jan. 7: Canisius at Loyola