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SEASON 7

Recent Game Recaps

Epilogue, The Ninth: Only Love Can Break Your Heart

Memories

So We Meet Again

Rte. 139 - End of the Line

Hanging On

A Championship in Pictures

This Time of Year

Dotson Leads Ducks to the Sweet Sixteen

Grizzlies Overwhelmed by Orangemen

Empire

Challenge 11: Final Four Memories

By George, UConn is Dead

Butler and Us

Donning the Black and Gold

Challenge 10: Tourney Memories

The Madness of the Horizon League

The Rare Ivy League Conference Tournament

MAC Madness

Anything Can Happen in the MAAC

Challenge 9: Shock The Neighborhood

A Youthful Surprise

From Worst to First

Peers and Seers

Game 7-069/070: Metro Atlantic First Round
March 5, 2011 6:34 am ET by Kyle Whelliston

[9] Marist Red Foxes vs. [8] Niagara Purple Eagles

March 4, 2011 7:30 pm
Bridgeport, CT
BBState Stats/Recap

[10] Manhattan Jaspers vs. [7] Siena Saints

March 4, 2011 9:30 pm
Bridgeport, CT
BBState Stats/Recap

The time-honored tradition of the MAAC's #PFF, the two games that bring a 10-team league into a more manageable, quarterfinal-able, feather-free eight. Do you bring the band? Dance team and cheerleaders? Your pride? Niagara declines, for the most part. The Coach of the Year for everybody, barefoot girls, mascot moshing, ball kids, and Siena's last stand. Crying cheerleaders. And elsewise in Hoops Nation: "We are all we got."

@midmajority Game Tweets

19:24 Game No. 7-069: [9] Marist vs. [8] Niagara. http://t.co/I9o27CM
19:27 Welcome to the MAAC's Pillowfight Friday. [9] Marist finished the regular season 5-26 (3-15). [8] Niagara was 9-22 (5-13). #youareinformed
19:29 Niagara did not bother packing cheerleaders, band, mascot, or lunch for tomorrow. Marist brought music, Shooter, and pretty girls.
19:30 #champfortnight Atlantic Sun: [1] Belmont 41 [5] Mercer 30 - Half
19:31 Tip. #PFF http://t.co/uF2RRIp
19:33 Marist opens scoring with a Candon Rusin #superhoop. We're sitting next to MAAC COY Ed Cooley, watching intently and filling a legal pad.
19:35 This is how much of a fan/student/man of the game Ed Cooley is: he's muttering coaching directions to both teams. Coach of the Year!
19:38 Marist up 5-2. Red Foxes opened 0-6, beat NIAG and CANI at home, then lost the next 4. Also had an 11-game losing streak. Not a good year.
19:41 Niagara didn't fare much better. Beat BGSU and St. Bona, but also lost to Drexel 84-39 and dropped 13 of 14 at one point. Purple yuck.
19:43 Folks say the regular season means nothing. But it's important to fully test how bad teams like these are, so they can be seeded correctly.
19:44 #champfortnight Southern: [N6] Samford 18 [S3] Furman 32 - Half
19:44 Thank you, compliance officer! RT @Squall3456: Mercer cheerleaders/Belmont band both Title R. Who wins? Everyone. @midmajority
19:44 Almost. RT @bmckim: @midmajority are thee more people in the Marist pep band than spectators? Looks like it on #pixelvision
19:45 It's 9-7 Marist at 12:19 2H. First MTO. Looks like we might have another one in a few seconds.
19:48 MTO2, Marist has opened up a 13-7 lead. If we're on #pixelvision, Bally is under the basket on the left side of the court. #orangepixls
19:49 i like dunx RT @roverflash: @midmajority Akron's Zeke Marshall with two huge first-half omgdunx
19:51 Also on #pixelvision, you may get a glimpse of the hottest TMM fashion statement yet, especially 4 #champfortnight. Lots of jealous stares.
19:52 Yoinkz RT @midmajority360: #champfortnight Colonial: [10] Northeastern 58 [7] Delaware 59 - 0:18 2H
19:58 #champfortnight Colonial: [10] Northeastern 58 [7] Delaware 60 - Final
19:58 18-12 Red Foxes at 7:51 1H despite A. Nelson's 9. Marist dance team is good. Fairfield coaches don't care, they're scouting. Each, own, etc.
20:00 #champfortnight Missouri Valley: [10] Bradley 22 [2] Wichita State 35 - Half
20:01 Drop football, Beanpot final OT loss, now this. RT @midmajority360: #champfortnight Colonial: [10] Northeastern 58 [7] Delaware 60 - Final
20:02 RT @mjpettinato: @midmajority Got more than a few strange looks at work when I mentioned today is Pillowfight Friday. #hoopswasteland #maacwho
20:06 #champfortnight Horizon League: [6] Wright State 59 [3] Cleveland State 73 - Final
20:06 Marist ekes back into a 20-18 lead at 4:04 1H. Niagara in this despite shooting 26%.
20:10 Shooter just came out of the locker room from a break & he's jumping 4 feet off the ground! Serious vertical! His team's up 24-20, 3:00 1H.
20:12 Shooter's doing pushups! Trying to wrestle security guards! Put him in, coach! Marist could have at least got a 6 seed with him at center!
20:14 28-20 Marist. Senior F Korey Bauer sinks one, runs back to the bench as Niagara is forced into a TO. He flashes a No. 1. Sorry, dude. No. 9.
20:17 There's a big ad for "The Most Trusted Name in Mattresses" next to the scoreboard. #pillowfightfriday
20:21 We know that 3-time defending champ Siena is pigtailing on #PFF, but how's this: holders of 7 of the last 8 MAAC titles are playing tonight.
20:21 It's halftime here in our first night of the DH, and Marist leads Niagara 29-26.
20:22 #champfortnight Metro Atlantic: [9] Marist 29 [8] Niagara 26 - Half
20:23 Actually, 8 of the last 9. No. 7 Siena: won in 02, 08, 09, 10. No. 8 Niagara: 05, 07. No. 10 Manhattan: 03, 04. And Marist had Jared Jordan.
20:24 Awesome!! #CAA #ballz RT @WM_VA_Josh: @midmajority WM Ballz with the WM Griffin...10 min. to gametime v. JMU http://t.co/JE2lx36
20:25 Marist's dance team is not only good, they perform barefoot. I do not know enough about the art/science to know if that's common or not.
20:30 #factcheckincuz RT @Drew_Dickerson: @midmajority It's common. It's easier to twirl barefoot. Or so I'm told.
20:32 Oooh. RT @thrashsoundly: @midmajority Idea: Instd of keeping top RPI elim teams lit until SS, have them glow/pulse like macbook power light.
20:38 Eric Williams opens scoring in 2H for Niagara with a #dunx. It sounded like this: THOK. 18:30 left in regulation, Marist up 35-28.
20:39 RT @AtlanticSun: Bruins only up 4 on Mercer with 1:40 to play #asun #marchmadness Belmont's Jordan Campbell going to the line shooting two @midmajority360
20:41 Near-fight breaks out under the basket after some jostling. Niagara bench stands up and claps like hockey players tapping sticks.
20:42 Refs deciding discipline. Turns out there will be none. This, after all, is #PFF. Marist leads 38-30 at 17:12 2H.
20:44 2007: 16> 1 "Bracket Upset" t-shirts. 2011: "I Unfollowed @midmajority for Tweeting Too Much About Pillowfight Friday" t-shirts.
20:45 Was close, now not. RT @midmajority360: #champfortnight Atlantic Sun: [1] Belmont 76 [5] Mercer 69 - 0:11 2H
20:48 #champfortnight Atlantic Sun: [1] Belmont 80 [5] Mercer 72 - Final
20:48 #champfortnight Southern: [N6] Samford 48 [S3] Furman 61 - Final
20:50 Do this! RT @chicolbball @midmajority Let your followers know: if they want HL coverage I've got live blogs today/tmrw! http://t.co/JTpGfft
20:53 Marist up 43-32 at 14:34 2H. 6-4 Red Fox Candon Rusin leads w 12 points, but is fighting fouls with 3. So there's the mechanics of this.
20:55 Kid just chillin at the MAAC. http://t.co/OyxxV8b
20:56 This is the Return of the MAAC... to Bridgeport! Tourney was here in 2007 (NIAG won). In 2012, it'll be at Springfield, MA's MassMutual Ctr.
20:58 #champfortnight Ohio Valley: [4] Tennessee Tech 29 [1] Murray State 24 - Half
21:00 Marist's Shooter the Red Fox and the Siena Saint Bernard mascot are slam-dancing! Reason #4023 not to have a campus-site tourney.
21:01 They're awesome! RT @MAACSports: MAAC ball kids are the best volunteers! RT @midmajority Kid just chillin at the MAAC. http://t.co/OyurxxV8b
21:02 MAAC ball kid is totally wide eyed, loving that he has the best seat in the house... five feet from the baseline.
21:02 Marist getting the #superhoop shooting going, leading 59-49 at the end of the third quarter.
21:10 #champfortnight Missouri Valley: [10] Bradley 56 [2] Wichita State 70 - Final
21:14 Niagara four-year senior G Anthony Nelson has 26 of the Purple Eagles' 53 points. But Marist has 65. 5:34 to go in the MAAC 8/9 game.
21:16 Regular season action happening tonight too. Kent & Miami with big rivalry wins in the MAC (waiting on seeds); PRIN/HARV win ahead of tmrw.
21:23 Marist maintaining a double-digit lead with less than three minutes left, it looks like Niagara's going home. Turn another light out.
21:24 #champfortnight Colonial: [11] William & Mary 34 [6] James Madison 34 - Half
21:24 #champfortnight Horizon League: [5] Detroit 36 [4] Valparaiso 40 - Half
21:28 Purple Eagles foul with 8 secs left, mostly so small Niagara contingent can cheer Anthony Nelson. 28 in his final game, 3 off career high.
21:29 No. 9 Marist wins the 8/9 game in the MAAC, beating Niagara 73-61.
21:31 It's beaoooteeful RT @bmckim: @midmajority My As You Go #MAAC Tournament Bracket http://t.co/7L4xOFJ
21:32 #champfortnight Metro Atlantic: [9] Marist 73 [8] Niagara 61 - Final
21:35 Siena and Manhattan, six MAAC titles between them this century, prepare for a 7/10 pigtail. http://t.co/xWDFFtX
21:42 In the chute. RT @midmajority360: #champfortnight Metro Atlantic: [10] Manhattan 0 [7] Siena 0 - 20:00 1H
21:44 Game No. 7-070: [7] Siena vs. [10] Manhattan. "You always shoot towards your band and cheerleaders in the second half." #marchtruths
21:50 Siena: 12-17, 8-10 in the MAAC. Opened 2-6, lost 5 of 7. Injuries and bad luck. Manhattan 6-24, 3-15. Had a 15-ame L streak. #youareinformed
21:52 #champfortnight West Coast: [8] Loyola Marymount 40 [5] Portland 37 - Half
21:53 RT @midmajority360: #champfortnight Ohio Valley: [4] Tennessee Tech 47 [1] Murray State 44 - 6:57 2H
21:55 Tip. http://t.co/8Aj99sB
21:57 But Manhattan's season wasn't all bad. There was this, for instance. http://t.co/33WUQYK
21:58 #champfortnight Southern: [S5] The Citadel 35 [N4] Elon 42 - Half
21:58 Et tu. http://t.co/FbMs62y
22:00 Siena up 8-7 four minutes in. Ryan Rossiter just scored his first basket for the Saints, and there will likely be many more tonight.
22:03 RT @midmajority360: #champfortnight Horizon League: [5] Detroit 60 [4] Valparaiso 62 - 10:22 2H
22:07 Tennessee Tech up by two on Murray State with just over a minute to play in Nashville. OVC semis.
22:08 Here, No. 10 Manhattan is up 19-13 on defending champs Siena after seven minutes. Kidani Brutus has 9 for the Jaspers.
22:08 Ohhh my. RT @midmajority360: #champfortnight Ohio Valley: [4] Tennessee Tech 60 [1] Murray State 55 - 0:30 2H
22:10 #champfortnight Atlantic Sun: [6] North Florida 31 [2] East Tennessee State 27 - Half
22:12 RT @midmajority360: #champfortnight Ohio Valley: [4] Tennessee Tech 60 [1] Murray State 57 - 0:07 2H
22:12 RT @donpot: @midmajority On the back of Tenn Tech warm-ups: "We are all we got." #allofus #eachofus
22:14 Here: RT @midmajority360: #champfortnight Metro Atlantic: [10] Manhattan 21 [7] Siena 14 - 11:44 1H
22:17 And Siena is almost all the way back. 4-yr. senior Clarence Jackson, who missed key time this year, has 9, and MAN is up 23-21, end of 1Q.
22:17 RT @chrispalm: @midmajority Tenn Tech wins 64-59! Will play for the OVC title. #allofus #eachofus
22:18 Murray is first No. 1 seed in Hoops Nation to go down. If Morehead beats Austin Peay, no TMM/1BS rooting interest tomorrow whatsoever.
22:22 #champfortnight Ohio Valley: [4] Tennessee Tech 64 [1] Murray State 59 - Final
22:22 Not fair. I'm in public, with no napkins. RT @bubbaprog: "WE ARE ALL WE GOT" http://t.co/gUiQOJM @midmajority
22:24 In a far less emotional game, Siena has shot another Jasper gap. Clarence Jackson with a 3, has 12. Saints down by one again, 32-31 5:33 1H.
22:25 Next? RT @midmajority360: #champfortnight Ohio Valley: [3] Austin Peay 0 [2] Morehead State 0 - 20:00 1H
22:25 RT @devyanks90: @midmajority Madness in the 6/11 CAA game. Lead trading in the final minutes CWM 71 - JMU 68 :26 left
22:29 Four def. 1-bid champs could go out within 8 hours (UNI, MURR, SIE?, ETSU?). RT @midmajority360: A-Sun: [6] UNF 33 [2] ETSU 29 - 18:00 2H
22:31 But Clarence Jackson wants more games. 15 points, all #superhoops. Siena up 36-32 at 2:46 1H.
22:32 #champfortnight Horizon League: [5] Detroit 78 [4] Valparaiso 88 - Final
22:33 And there's Clarence Jackson with a runback and hack, plus 1. Intensity. "When time is running out, you want to stay alive." 38-32 Saints.
22:34 Five of six lower seeds leading at the moment.
22:36 #champfortnight Colonial: [11] William & Mary 73 [6] James Madison 68 - Final
22:36 #champfortnight Missouri Valley: [6] Evansville 24 [3] Indiana State 19 - Half
22:38 We are at the half here in Bridgeport. [7] Siena leads [10] Manhattan, 40-33. Clarence Jackson is going #nutz with 17.
22:38 #champfortnight Metro Atlantic: [10] Manhattan 33 [7] Siena 40 - Half
22:49 Jasper spirit: a photo essay. http://t.co/3QsuBj3 http://t.co/nyBbxyN http://t.co/gnHvTEd
22:51 Ospreyland uprising!!! RT @midmajority360: #champfortnight Atlantic Sun: [6] North Florida 47 [2] East Tennessee State 39 - 9:42 2H
22:53 RT @WCCSports: MBB| Loyola Marymount wins over Portland 72-68. Loyola will go on to play #4 Santa Clara tomorrow night at 6:00 pm. Game 3!
22:53 RT @bubbaprog: UNF mascot Ozzie is in the house! http://30fram.es/1j5 Harriet alas nowhere to be found @midmajority
22:54 [8] LMU has advanced, eliminates [5] Portland in the WCC, unless The Robot beat me to it.
22:54 #champfortnight West Coast: [8] Loyola Marymount 70 [5] Portland 67 - Final
22:55 By two seconds. I Usain Bolted that Robot.
22:56 Rakeem Brookins blew a transition dunk, but Clarence Jackson gets the follow +1. 19 now. A man possessed. 44-37 Saints at 17:09 2H.
23:05 Big holes starting to open up in our #champfortnight board at midmajority.com...
23:07 Kidani Brutus (16p) with a Liberty layup for MAN, and the Jaspers are back within 1. 12 to go in regulation, [7] Siena up 48-47 on the [10].
23:08 #champfortnight Southern: [S5] The Citadel 74 [N4] Elon 85 - Final
23:08 We didn't get South much this season, so we missed sped-up #lazrsoundz pop megamixes. Siena's cheer squad making up for that today.
23:10 Haven't call Ryan Rossiter's number much. A fairly solid and quiet 11 so far for Siena, seven boards too. 50-47 Saints at 10:52 2H.
23:10 OSPREYLAND STAND UP RT @bubbaprog: @midmajority UNF IS UP 55-50 WITH 1:59 LEFT !! !
23:12 The last time ETSU and North Florida played, the score was 80-57. The Ospreys did not win that game.
23:13 That's not a good scoring pace for APSU. RT @midmajority360 #champfortnight Ohio Valley: [3] Austin Peay 5 [2] Morehead State 14 - 10:38 1H
23:14 RT @goldengrizzGP: @midmajority Can't wait for the Badlands debut in tomorrow's Tourney Central. Those updates do not go unappreciated. So much good info!
23:15 Robots and humans working together for good. For once. @goldengrizzGP
23:18 RT @midmajority360: #champfortnight Atlantic Sun: [6] North Florida 56 [2] East Tennessee State 55 - 0:32 2H
23:20 [10] Manhattan has snuck back into the lead at 7:51 2H. 53-52 over [7] Siena. Three dubl-figure scorers for the Jaspers.
23:21 RT @bubbaprog: @midmajority UNF band playing SPACE JAM
23:23 Two seasons ago, North Florida won their first D1 road game in 46 tries. They've won as many games in the last week as they did in 07 or 08.
23:24 #champfortnight Atlantic Sun: [6] North Florida 59 [2] East Tennessee State 55 - Final
23:24 First four seasons in D1 (06 through 09): 20-96. Now, North Florida is one game from the NCAA Tournament.
23:27 Manhattan and Siena trading leads here. Rossiter's come alive for the Saints. Eight points in the last six minutes (17). 61-59 SIE 4:12 2H.
23:29 Jasper band. http://t.co/JSHLhMq
23:30 This was also North Florida's first win over ETSU in 12 tries.
23:31 Battle of Indiana in the Valley: close. RT @midmajority360: #champfortnight Missouri Valley: [6] Evansville 42 [3] Indiana State 42 5:43 2H
23:33 There're about 50 Siena student sectioneers here in yellow t-shirts. Good a cappella Rock & Roll Pt. 2 round, complete with the "you suck."
23:34 Two key late empties for Siena. 1:50 left, Michael Alvarado at the line for Manhattan. Make, make. We're tied up at 61.
23:36 And Rossiter's blocked by Brutus! Jasper ball! But SIE in dubl-bonus, MAN has two to give.
23:37 45 ticks left, Saints ball. Another Rossiter miss! But Jackson, as he has all night, cleans up the mess. 24 points for him. 63-61 Saints.
23:38 It's a battle for pride and survival in the MAAC. Manhattan's a young team, but this is it for Rossiter and Jackson.
23:40 #champfortnight Ohio Valley: [3] Austin Peay 22 [2] Morehead State 32 - Half
23:40 Shot clock off. Manhattan, down 2, trying to find an opening. None. Time out. :11.7 to go, can tie or win. Hot chess!
23:41 Alvarado sinks it! Tied! Siena can't get a shot off! Overtime! Let's keep playing! Siena! Manhattan! Pillowfight Friday never has to end!
23:42 RT @chrispalm: @midmajority It can become Sleepover Saturday!
23:43 And MAACtastic! RT @MAACSports: This game is MAACiting! @bendoody
23:46 Ryan Rossiter and Clarence Jackson were around for three MAAC titles and two NCAA wins. A final loss to a 10-seed would be cruel.
23:46 The kind of onions... that make you cry. #sportswriting
23:48 #champfortnight Missouri Valley: [6] Evansville 50 [3] Indiana State 52 - Final
23:48 1:41 left in OT. Manhattan up 66-65. Siena fans standing as one.
23:49 Escape! RT @midmajority: #champfortnight Missouri Valley: [6] Evansville 50 [3] Indiana State 52 - Final
23:51 Siena up two with the ball, fires an empty. Manhattan in a familiar sitch. 68-66, 10 seconds in OT, time out, will inbound over the line.
23:52 Evansville with a costly over/back call, Jake Odum sank the game-winner for Indiana State. #TreeFever lives another day in the Valley.
23:53 George Beamon's three attempt rims out for MAN... Siena survives in OT, 68-66. The clock doesn't strike midnight on the Jaspers; it's 11:55.
23:54 #champfortnight Metro Atlantic: [10] Manhattan 66 [7] Siena 68 - Final
23:55 Wow, what a night. Tourney Central in the AM, then we're at you for four (4) America East QF's from back in Hartford, starting at 12 ET.
23:57 Nothing worse to see than crying cheerleaders. From now until Selection Sunday: every. day.
00:00 GNHN. http://t.co/uAVxlds

Boxscores

MARIST 73, NIAGARA 61
03/04/2011

MARIST 6-26 (3-15) -- D. Carter 5-14 0-2 10; J. Bowie 6-11 1-4 13; D. Price 3-9 1-2 9; C. Rusin 4-8 2-2 12; M. Watson 4-5 1-3 9; K. Bauer 2-4 2-2 6; S. Prescott 2-5 2-3 7; A. Alexis 1-1 5-6 7; P. Prinsloo 0-1 0-0 0; P. McDerby 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 27-58 14-24 73.
NIAGARA 9-23 (5-13) -- A. Nelson 9-22 9-10 28; K. Edwards 1-6 5-6 7; M. Jordan 3-8 0-3 8; M. Lemmons 2-10 3-4 8; S. Gillette 1-1 4-4 6; K. Moore 1-3 0-0 2; S. Jones 0-3 0-0 0; E. Williams 1-3 0-0 2; P. Kowalski 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 18-56 21-27 61.

Three-point goals: MAR 5-17 (D. Carter 0-4; D. Price 2-3; C. Rusin 2-4; S. Prescott 1-4; J. Bowie 0-1; P. Prinsloo 0-1), NIAG 4-18 (A. Nelson 1-4; K. Moore 0-2; S. Jones 0-1; M. Jordan 2-6; M. Lemmons 1-5); Rebounds: MAR 36 (J. Bowie 8), NIAG 36 (S. Gillette 9); Assists: MAR 11 (D. Carter 6), NIAG 5 (M. Jordan 2); Total Fouls -- MAR 20, NIAG 21; Fouled Out: MAR-None; NIAG-M. Jordan.

SIENA 68, MANHATTAN 66
03/04/2011

MANHATTAN 6-25 (3-15) -- M. Alvarado 4-11 2-2 10; G. Beamon 5-10 4-6 14; K. Brutus 5-14 3-3 16; D. Jemison 6-15 1-2 13; R. Brown 6-7 1-2 13; D. Coulibaly 0-1 0-0 0; A. Gabriel 0-2 0-0 0; K. Laue 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 26-60 11-15 66.
SIENA 13-17 (8-10) -- C. Jackson 9-20 0-2 24; R. Rossiter 4-14 9-9 17; O. Anosike 2-4 0-0 4; R. Brookins 3-7 0-2 7; O. Wignot 3-4 2-2 9; T. Burdine 1-3 1-1 3; J. Breeden 1-2 0-0 2; D. Martens 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 24-55 12-16 68.

Three-point goals: MAN 3-13 (D. Jemison 0-1; G. Beamon 0-1; K. Brutus 3-11), SIE 8-19 (C. Jackson 6-14; O. Wignot 1-1; R. Brookins 1-3; T. Burdine 0-1); Rebounds: MAN 30 (D. Jemison 10), SIE 33 (R. Rossiter 14); Assists: MAN 10 (D. Jemison 3), SIE 13 (R. Brookins 5); Total Fouls -- MAN 14, SIE 13; Fouled Out: MAN-None; SIE-None.