Dribblings 1/16/2005 (Shootaround Royale Edition)

Metro Atlantic: Marist 88, Niagara 87 (story) - The half-asleep Purple Eagles (9-6, 4-3 MAAC) were spent emotionally and physically after their tough loss at Manhattan the other night, and almost had enough to sleepwalk through this one. But the upstart Red Foxes (who are now a surprising 5-1 in conference) held Niagara to 28% second-half shooting, paving the way for a comeback from a 12-point halftime deficit and a successful opportunity to win it at the line. Center Will McLurkin got it done down low for Marist, earning 24 points and eight caroms.

Mid-American: Western Michigan 70, Bowling Green 61 (story) - BGSU has received many recent Mid-Majority Mentions™ for their unexpected four-game win streak in the face of tough conference competition. But Western Michigan (11-2, 5-0 MAC), last year's champs, came into their house and showed the Falcons (9-3, 4-1 MAC) who still owns the MAC Western division. Six-seven Bronco forward Levi Rost had 20 points in the win. The East? So hazy that the magic eight-ball won't even return an answer.

Sun Belt: Arkansas State 68, Middle Tennessee 66 ... Arkansas-Little Rock 69, Western Kentucky 62 - If you had told me at the beginning of the season that the balance of power in the Sun Belt would tipple towards the Razorback State, I'd say you were crazy. Crazy! But that's what's happening early on. Both teams are now 3-1 in the Eastern division: UALR beat MTSU with big help from sophomore guard Zack Wright (21 points), and WKU was topped by the invading Trojans' last-second free throws. Western Kentucky (10-4, 0-2 SBC) is now winless in two tries after a strong non-conference performance.

Shootaround!

Missouri Valley: Southern Illinois (12-3, 5-0 MVC) sits atop the heap after a white-knuckle 61-60 home win over Southwest Missouri State. Wichita State took their first Valley loss, falling on the road at possibly resurgent Indiana State 64-60. Bradley bravely staved off stingy Evansville, 81-76, in the Mid-Majority's teevee-and-root-beer game of the afternoon. That they were able to hold on to their lead with former MMBOW Marcus Sommerville disqualified on fouls will be a tremendous confidence boost going forward for Jim Les' club.

West Coast: St. Mary's was blown out on their home court by the other holy ladies of the WCC, Santa Clara, by a 65-42 count. The Broncos snapped the Gaels' nine-game win streak, and had incentive to pour it on before of a packed enemy house - St. Mary's won their two contests last year by a combined 62 points.

Big South: Charleston Southern (8-6, 4-0 BSC), the last undefeated team in the slightly smallish Big South, nipped High Point (8-9, 3-1 BSC) 76-74 when 6'2" Mario Williams nailed a jumper with four ticks left.

Big West: Idaho (4-10, 3-2 BWC) got some strange love from ESPN's Andy Katz recently, but the Pacific Tigers ate 'em up whilst in the midst of a catnap, 61-52. Utah State (11-5, 2-3 BWC) is spinning out of control after their emotional loss to Pacific the other night, and they were caught on the road by a surprise Cal State Northridge team that stands at 6-1. Yes, that slight disturbance you just felt is me raising a single eyebrow at the Matadors' six-game winning streak.

Colonial: With this new foulmouthed ESPN series about poker, I'm reminded of that other scandalous original-entertainment show they had, Playmakers. There was that promo that the WWLIS kept showing every other break: there were two guys in the car and the driver was rapping, "Just rollin' along. Whu?" That's what Old Dominion (15-2, 5-0 CAA) is doing. They beat George Mason at home yesterday, 71-58. Just rollin' along. Whu?

Metro Atlantic: That other weary participant in the other night's MAAC battle royale, Manhattan, lost at home to that other team called the Gaels, 69-67, on the strength of a late 22-7 Iona run. The key moment came with 36 seconds remaining, when Peter Mulligan of the Jaspers - Thursday's hero against Niagara - pulled a "Chris Webber" and called a non-existent timeout. After the technical free throws that allowed Iona to take the lead, Manhattan hit iron on a long series of desperation trey attempts. (Guys, I know you're dog-tired, but try for the tie next time.)

Mid-Continent: Maybe there's magic in that there rubbery-armed kangaroo logo after all. Missouri-Kansas City is now five and oh in 'Oh-five (6-7, 5-0 MidCon). They beat Western Illinois (4-11, 1-4 MidCon) on the road - the Leathernecks are a team that I said two weeks ago wouldn't receive much future mention, which triggered a small WIU "told-U-so" letter-writing campaign after their win over Oral Roberts (88-65 winners over Centenary, btw) last week. Keep those cards and letters coming.

Northeast: St. Francis (PA), the sexy oops-let's-change-picks-in-midstream pick in the NEC, lost at lowly Wagner by a convincing margin: 89-70. The Seahawks snapped a 10-game losing skid and got a dominating dub-dub from 6'8" senior forward Shawn Munson. Central Connecticut State awoke from its slumber, drubbing Robert Morris at home when Lenny Jefferson decided enough was enough. He scored 17 points in the second half, and finished with 21. Up top, Monmouth (5-8, 4-0 NEC) continued their "winning ways," rocking and rolling Long Island Allan Freed-style in LIU's Hall Of Mirrors. 69-57, the final there.

Ohio Valley: Tennessee Tech stayed perfect (8-6, 4-0 OVC), as they were 78-54 winners over Eastern Kentucky. TMM's OVC pick, Murray State (8-6, 3-1 OVC), beat on Jacksonville State 77-61. The two aforementioned victors will play on February 10 at the home of the MSU Racers.

Southern: College Of Charleston (9-6, 3-2 SoCon) is stumbling at 3-2, and they lost on the road 67-62 against the New Sexy in the SoCon South, Davidson (7-7, 5-0 OVC). Chattanooga (11-2, 4-0 SoCon) continued their vice-like grip on the North division, whomping Wofford 88-64.

Southland: The battle for the top of the conference between Northwestern State (10-8, 4-0 SLC) and Southeastern Louisiana (11-6, 3-1 SLC) was by the homestanding former team, 65-63. Northwestern has SELU's number, having won the last 14 meetings. It just occurred to me that southeast and northwest are opposite points on the compass. Man, I need some coffee.

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