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SEASON 7

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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 7-078: Metro Atlantic Championship
March 8, 2011 6:35 am ET by Kyle Whelliston

[5] Saint Peter's Peacocks vs. [2] Iona Gaels

March 7, 2011 7:00 pm
Bridgeport, CT
BBState Stats/Recap



It's a title game. Scissors, nets, ladders, and trophies too. Serious ESPN2 airtime for Bally. Memories of MAAC hair: Mike Frensley and the ponytail, and Ricky Soliver Mohawk Night at Iona. The Journey medley from "Glee" fails to inspire, we attempt to extend the legend of James Naismith to Ben Franklin proportions, and there's No Storming Allowed. Cheerleader #smac, "We! Are! S, P, C!" versus "I, O, N, A, I-O-N-A!", a photo gallery of the aftermath, and congratulations to the Saint Peter's Peacocks, 2011 champions of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Association.

@midmajority Game Tweets

18:25 Know your (broadcast) rights. http://t.co/HTZvMl5
18:42 RT @MAACSports: We are nearing the final game of the 2011 Spark Energy MAAC Basketball Championships - #2 Iona vs. #4 Saint Peter's - Who's going to win?
18:50 Bally getting SERIOUS airtime on this two-shot.
18:52 Game 7-078: [2] Iona vs. [4] Saint Peter's. MAAC final. Must be a title game. http://t.co/ONmq6OM
18:54 Iona brought fans. http://t.co/2MGaGMh
18:57 We're here! Nice hashtag! RT @SteierSays: No @midmajority at the MAAC Championship? I wanted a #Bally for myself :(
18:59 Our coverage would not be possible without @MattNorlander of CBS. Kindly switched seats with us so we could get power for the FutureBot.
19:01 Iona is 22-10, the two-seed. Beat the 7 (Siena) and the 3 (Rider) to get here. Looking for first trip to NCAA since 2006.
19:03 Saint Peter's hasn't been since 1995. They are the 4, beat [5] Loyola and top seed Rider. 3 previous IONA-SPC meetings in this setting.
19:04 1982: Iona was a 3 and upset SPC at the Meadowlands to go to the NCAA. 1991: Peacocks beat Iona at Albany. 2006: Iona destroyed SPC 80-61.
19:05 2006 game featured Keydren Clark, of course. Lifted Peacocks from a 5 seed to the title game. KeeKee Clark is not walking through that door.
19:06 We are underway. Iona scores first: Mike "Optimus" Glover, the hawk man. 90 seconds into the MAAC title game.
19:07 Nick Leon with a long corner two. Watch that guy. He is always talking #smac during games. Tied at 4 at 17:00 1H.
19:07 #smac RT @mattpentz @midmajority if St. Peter's wins tonight, no way that #PeacocksFever fails to capture the hearts and minds of the nation
19:07 RT @MattNorlander: Pleasure to be sitting on press row next to the dapper @midmajority, but importantly, @ballybasketball. A true honor.
19:08 We are in the charcoal ensemble, silver #champfortnight bowtie. Bally got dry-cleaned today. #TMMfashionwatch
19:09 BOOM RT @bubbaprog: Len Elmore is highly suspicious of @ballybasketball: http://t.co/d9HuRYf @midmajority
19:09 RT @tfelice: Seeing Bally and @midmajority at the MAAC Championship game has already made my week.
19:09 RT @jtanHC: @midmajority Right behind Len Elmore! I see @ballybasketball right next to his ear! Also, you look hard at work.
19:12 Iona dance team prepares pregame. May be the first in Hoops Nation to have a "Born This Way" routine. http://t.co/715yBYD
19:12 I went to a CAA game and a Van Halen concert broke out RT @solidblue94: @midmajority fog machine residue causing delay at CAA Championship.
19:13 That's my "dunkface." RT @juliaflyer: Man, does @midmajority look angry. Too much sportz on the bottom line?
19:15 After the first MTO, it's 4-4. Place is loud for 2 full sections. No Fairfield, obv. Crowd positioned for cameras; behind us, pretty empty.
19:19 Action opening up a little. 12-10 Peacocks at 11:44 1H. 6-6 SPC sr. Jeron Belin came in and put a real charge into this game - 8 pts.
19:19 RT @writesdave: @midmajority Any mention of Peacock hoops must include Mike Frensley and his pony tail, stars of 1995 NCAAs. Alas, no images anywhere.
19:20 There's a pretty sweet Frensley photo in their media guide. It might be online. @writesdave
19:20 That's Len Elmore's dunkface. RT @toniogerard: @midmajority first of tonight's many highlights BALLY! http://t.co/tVcWDxZ
19:22 "Teenage Dream" comes on the PA at MTO2 and most of the Iona fans start bouncing. They may have been drinking earlier. #stormwarning
19:25 Nick Leon another bucket, and a little #smac on the way back. Bringing the headband back. And his tats go all the way around. #respect
19:26 End of the first quarter: Saint Peter's 16, Iona 10.
19:28 Mike Glover in close, and Optimus has six points. We mentioned the 2006 mohawk link yesterday. Ricky Soliver went up high, like AO!!
19:28 Quick Iona mohawk story: The year they made it, the last great Ruland year, Soliver brought Mohawk Fever to New Rochelle. It was intense.
19:29 They had Ricky Soliver Mohawk Night. Iona gave out skullcaps with fake mohawks on them to the first 1000 fans. I still have mine.
19:30 It was only a little bit awkward that the mohawks they gave out were pink rubber. You know, "flesh" colored.
19:31 RT @raphiellej: @midmajority Every player who tries to go mohawk today should thank Ricky Soliver. A true visionary.
19:31 Here in 2011, it's Saint Peter's 23, Iona 16. 4:53 to go in 1H of the MAAC title game.
19:34 St Peter's cheerleaders come out at MTO3. Iona fans boo them (we have opinions about this practice). Cheer team returns the #smac, though.
19:37 Cheerleaders point to Iona section, chant, "We! Are! S, P, C!" ion a fans roar back, "I, O, N, A, I-O-N-A!" #MAACsmac... it is On.
19:41 Iona soph G Kyle Smyth, who also took a nasty spill late in yesterday's game, on the floor again. Led off the floor. Rough weekend.
19:42 Heated little discussion on the row about whether Saint Peter's belongs in the MAAC or not. It does fit the profile of an NEC school.
19:44 They don't spend much on athletics (lower 20% in D1). Which would make it all the more remarkable if they go to the NCAAT.
19:46 It comes down to identity. The NEC's heart is the Tri-State Area, with a few outliers. The MAAC is, ultimately, defined by religion.
19:46 So that leaves St. Peter's squarely in the middle. And they're ahead in this game at the half. The No. 4 is up 26-20 on No. 2 Iona.
19:48 RT @gmoore21566: @midmajority SPC spends their money wisely. Just ask Alabama about that. #PeacockVictim
19:50 Yes. The Peacocks did pull a @RedLineUpsets this season, 50-49 over the Crimson Tide at the Paradise Jam. Scored 17 points off TO's.
19:51 Saint Peter's cheerleaders with a serious lazr-sounds megamix at HT. BLAM BLAM PHOOOOOOO BLATTBLATTBLATT WEEEOOWWWEOOOOOO
19:52 #champfortnight Summit League: [5] South Dakota State 43 [1] Oakland 59 - Half
19:52 #champfortnight Sun Belt: [W4] North Texas 40 [E3] Western Kentucky 39 - Half
19:54 #champfortnight Metro Atlantic: [4] Saint Peter's 26 [2] Iona 20 - Half
19:54 Tempo-free HT. Saint Peter's: 26 points in 28 possessions (.92), Iona with 20 points in 27 trips (.74). Gaels shooting 34%, 1-for-7 from 3.
19:54 RT @midmajority360: #champfortnight Colonial: [4] Virginia Commonwealth 21 [2] Old Dominion 31 - 3:40 1H
19:56 We're watching the Springfield, MA (2012-14 MAAC host) indoctrination film again. Elmo is in it. The Founder loved talking puppets.
20:00 Possible reason for horrid offense: PA has played the Journey medley from Glee before both halves. That lost them Regionals, you know.
20:01 They're doing that two-shot again. Trying to look busy.
20:02 #champfortnight Colonial: [4] Virginia Commonwealth 26 [2] Old Dominion 39 - Half
20:02 And object-oriented programming. RT @thirstykilla: @midmajority James Naismith invented the roller coaster too, which people often forget.
20:04 RT @bubbaprog: I'm watching @midmajority & @MattNorlander talk in the background on ESPN2. From nonverbals it appears to be a conversation about horchata.
20:06 Second half has begun. SPC keeps up the speed with a Nick Leon three. 29-22 after 90 seconds.
20:08 Our 4th viewing of Saint Peter's this year. They've never given the impression as championship material. Very hot/cold team. Warm tonight.
20:09 Iona blows two bunnies and clanks a three on that last trip. They're about as in sync as a Palm 7. SPC extends to 31-24. Football score.
20:11 Oh, he definitely was. Good bios out there. RT @NovaYankee: @midmajority So does this mean Naismith was the first sports nerd?
20:11 I'm just trying to extend the legend of James Naismith. Did you know he also invented the horse-drawn Robot?
20:12 RT @MAACSports: In the Spark Energy MAAC Basketball Championships - #4 Saint Peter's leads 31-24 against #2 Iona - 15:53 left still anyone's game!
20:13 Not looking good right now. RT @JeremySBN: @midmajority do you think Iona eill win MAAC now that Fairfireld is out?
20:15 Sr. Ryan Bacon with a sky layup, and now SPC is up 33-24 at 14:52 2H. 7-4 advantage in 2H points for Peacocks.
20:16 As you can see on TV, the key to this team is their two senior big men, who can run the floor and have lots of energy. Bacon and Belin.
20:16 If those two are on and the streaky Leon is knocking down shots, SPC is scary good. And they have been in short stretches this season.
20:18 Iona fans are very quiet after a raucous 1H. The SPC section is smaller, a little older. I don't know what's up with Cirque du Soleil Guy.
20:20 RT @hoopthink: @midmajority SPC defense is impressive. Just looked through their schedule, surprised to see they knocked off Alabama 50-49 in Paradise Jam
20:22 That defense is quite something. 2nd best 2FG% in the country, albeit against a lower-half schedule. I've also seen them give up huge runs.
20:23 It's an intensity thing. What Saint Peter's lacks in talent, it makes up for in kamikaze lack of abandon. As soon as that cracks, they do.
20:25 11:28 left in regulation, SPC up 37-31. Iona's offense off balance and ineffective. Was MAAC's hottest during season (1.11 PPP).
20:28 NIAG 07, PIG vs. Florida A&M. On bracket, MAN 04 (12/5 vs. FLA). RT @MRLowen24 @midmajority last MAAC team not named Siena to win NCAA game?
20:29 #MAACsmac RT @PeteyGriffin: Somethin in the water round there RT @midmajority I dont know whats up with Cirque du Soleil Guy
20:30 Iona cuts it to four, crowd back into it. Yvon Raymond promptly deposits a bunny and a Leon #smacerhoop pushes it back to 9.
20:31 The Saint Peter's fans are extremely happy about sports right now. 8:25 2H, SPC 42 IONA 33.
20:31 RT @MAACSports: Saint Peter's is now leading by 9 - Iona calls a time out & the Saint Peter's crowd is going crazy! Now this is a fun game!
20:32 SPC has done all this without significant contributions from Wesley Jenkins, who has been a #superhoop genius on our previous 3 views.
20:34 And just like that, Jenkins hits a 3. 5 pts for him. What else can I reverse-jinx? A glass of horchata has not appeared on my desk recently.
20:35 SPC cheerleaders laying down some serious #smac on the Iona fans at 8-min. MTO. "We are! S!P!C!" Iona fans are sad about life.
20:37 Right now, Iona has 33 points in 43 trips. .76 points per possession. Averaged 1.11 during the year. Total shutdown.
20:37 RT @steiersays: About 1/3 of the Iona crowd is trying to start the wave. It's clear whose had a couple beers to the face and who has not @midmajority
20:38 Just not in the flow. He's alright. RT @kunkel5: @midmajority whats wrong with Jenkins
20:39 RT @midmajority360: #champfortnight Colonial: [4] Virginia Commonwealth 34 [2] Old Dominion 46 - 13:58 2H
20:40 If SPC wins this, they will have dropped the Nos. 1 and 2 seeds to Dance. No bracket slipknots. The hard way. Just like Indiana State did.
20:42 Mike Glover, the man with the hawk, has had a very quiet 15 (on 7/9). He represents the Iona offense today. 6:28 left in regulation, 47-37.
20:43 RT @rhyno86: Really not liking the phrase "bid thief" I keep hearing on tv while watching caa final. If VCU wins, they earned it! @midmajority
20:44 The only phrase more offensive than "bid thief" is "ass thief." I don't know what either of those mean.
20:47 SPC's defense is stellar tonight, but Iona is forcing up some truly putrid shots. There is no stat for layups off the heel of the hand.
20:47 RT @midmajority360: #champfortnight Colonial: [4] Virginia Commonwealth 39 [2] Old Dominion 48 - 10:33 2H
20:48 RT @midmajority360: #champfortnight Sun Belt: [W4] North Texas 68 [E3] Western Kentucky 53 - 3:35 2H
20:49 NTEX-WKU reminds me of the 09 final when we went to Hot Springs. We live-tweeted that. There were only like 200 people on Twitter then.
20:49 Misprint? Geez, G'Grizzlies. RT @midmajority360: #champfortnight Summit League: [5] South Dakota State 88 [1] Oakland 110 - 0:39 2H
20:50 #champfortnight Summit League: [5] South Dakota State 90 [1] Oakland 110 - Final
20:52 Rashon Dwight steal, blocked layup. Then a blown bunny. Iona disheartened and beaten.
20:54 MTSU in line for Belt? Looking through archives for last team to lose to worst RPI team then go to NCAAT... all within a month.
20:55 2:31 2H. SPC 51, IONA 40. There is no comeback in the Gaels' eyes right now.
20:57 #champfortnight Sun Belt: [W4] North Texas 81 [E3] Western Kentucky 62 - Final
20:57 Hold the line, though. With two minutes left, two straight hoops bring Iona to within six. Last stand for the Gaels.
20:58 But Jenkins sinks a couple FT's to bring it back to eight. Two missed shots for Iona, and they blew the after-the-whistle layup too.
20:59 Glover at the line for two shots. MISS. Make. 1:43 left, 53-46 Saint Peter's.
21:00 But a take back! Trinity Fields with his first basket of the game for Iona! 53-48, 1:40 2H!
21:01 Now. The big question. Will SPC storm? The median age in that sections seems a little high.
21:02 Iona BIG pressure. Where was that earlier? 1:17 1H, SPC holding. And an AMAZING wheel layup by Jenkins! And one! Woooooo hoops!!!
21:04 SPC by eight, one minute left. Chances fading fast for Iona. Glover to the line after two stuffs. Make, make. Lead is 6.
21:04 Jenkins tries to break the press by running the baseline. But an Iona steal! Time out!
21:05 RT @midmajority360: #champfortnight Colonial: [4] Virginia Commonwealth 54 [2] Old Dominion 59 - 3:03 2H
21:05 VCU's cut the lead to three with under 2:30.
21:06 Glover layup for Iona! Peacock lead is four with :45 left! Man, that steal was huge. 56-52.
21:07 ANOTHER steal!
21:08 Iona empty! And Leon pries away an off rebound out of an Iona player's cold dead hands! :27.3, 56-52. Leon at line. Make. Make. 3p game.
21:09 Machado at the line for Iona trying to cut it back to 4 at :22. Make. Make. 58-54, Iona fouls on the inbound.
21:11 Jenkins: make, make. And a Machado 3 cuts it to 3! Wildness! :15.1, SPC headed back to the line to preserve this with FTs.
21:12 Saint Peter's: MAAC Champions 2011.
21:13 Iona's final possession was two desperation heaves from the corner, and the second hit the side of the backboard. Gaels go dark.
21:14 Nick Leon rips off his shirt to show America his tattzzz. There is no storm. Those in the SPC section jump up and down like caged beasts.
21:15 Iona fans shuffle out. They would have stormed.
21:15 And they play One Shining Moment on the PA. (?)
21:16 #champfortnight Metro Atlantic: [4] Saint Peter's 62 [2] Iona 57 - Final
21:19 SNL. http://t.co/r2gLWCg
21:21 Happy tears. http://t.co/34KCnSu
21:22 No storming allowed! http://t.co/2VwsHEN
21:24 #champfortnight Colonial: [4] Virginia Commonwealth 65 [2] Old Dominion 70 - Final
21:27 Speech, Coach, speech! http://t.co/Wi6SSZg
21:28 They won that! http://t.co/jLZBApz
21:29 Trophy presentation. http://t.co/mrxGGpS
21:30 Get that slice! Get it! http://t.co/gKIYOKa
21:31 RT @twayward: RT @EdLassX Congrats 2 John Dunne. St. Peter's is Dancin 4 the #MAAC (cc @midmajority) Jersey City in the #NCAA Tourney. How bout that?!
21:31 RT @shawnksullivan: Enjoying the night of college hoops via @midmajority #besttimeoftheyear
21:33 RT @midmajority360: Saint Peter's 62 Iona 57 | SPC 20-13 (11-7) IONA 22-11 (13-5) | http://tmm7.me/fl8 #MAAC
21:36 The prize, @MattNorlander, and Bally. http://t.co/U9u3y0R
21:46 RT @ballybasketball: Lookit me! I won March madnis! http://t.co/ln7im0b

Boxscore

SAINT PETER'S 62, IONA 57
03/07/2011


SAINT PETER'S 20-13 (11-7) -- B. Howard 9-26 8-10 28; N. Leon 5-12 2-2 15; W. Jenkins 2-6 9-9 14; R. Bacon 4-10 0-0 8; S. Samuels 1-1 0-0 2; J. Belin 7-13 0-0 17; D. Conley 1-4 0-0 2; Y. Raymond 2-2 0-0 4; B. Hall 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 22-48 11-11 62.
IONA 22-11 (13-5) -- R. Dwight 2-13 4-4 10; M. Glover 9-12 5-7 23; S. Machado 4-17 6-8 15; J. Jenkins 0-4 0-0 0; R. Dezouvre 1-3 0-0 2; A. Rodriguez 0-1 1-2 1; S. Armand 1-7 0-0 2; K. Smyth 0-0 0-0 0; C. Pelcher 1-1 0-0 2; T. Fields 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 19-59 16-21 57.

Three-point goals: SPC 7-15 (N. Leon 3-8; W. Jenkins 1-3; J. Belin 3-4), IONA 3-18 (R. Dwight 2-6; S. Machado 1-5; J. Jenkins 0-2; S. Armand 0-5); Rebounds: SPC 27 (R. Bacon 9), IONA 33 (M. Glover 11); Assists: SPC 12 (W. Jenkins 4), IONA 7 (S. Machado 6); Total Fouls -- SPC 18, IONA 14; Fouled Out: SPC-None; IONA-None.