Stags close it out 69-58. Drexel kept it interesting with quite a few dribble drive conversions in the final 5 minutes or so... but the Stags responded each time. Barrow - Needham - Wade, all made big shots and free throws... Nickerson put the final nail in the coffin with a 3.
Post by stagmaster on Dec 16, 2012 18:21:14 GMT -5
Very solid effort by the Stags.
First and foremost, tremendous defense for 40 minutes by the stags. The on ball defense was excellent by all the FF guards, especially Nickerson. Drexel never got into an offensiver rhythm.
The offensive execution of all the upperclassmen was very good in the second half. Everytime Drexel made a run, the stags had an answer.
A close, grind it out MAAC type game.
I think today's performance bodes very well for the rest of our MAAC season. Today was a day for all the upperclassmen to carry the team and take us across the finish line.
Nice job Stags! Very nice win! Let's hope they can keep some momentum through this ridiculous upcoming 5 game road trip. Hope they can get two of them! Anyway, Great win!
Post by reindeerfan on Dec 16, 2012 18:40:47 GMT -5
Just back from the game. Overall everyone on the team played well. I think Nickersons pressure kept them out of sync all game. Needham had another solid game he continues driving to the hoop which is when I think he is at his best. Wade and barrow both chipped in double digits in points. Sidibe solid, and while Mikulic needs to work on his defense and not fouling he gave a decent effort today. I like his upside when he learns to be more of an interior defensive presence.
Post by reindeerfan on Dec 16, 2012 22:39:15 GMT -5
I like our chemistry this year much better than last. I think Sydney is mixing and matching the personal better and I think Needham is having a much better season.
The guard trio Wade, Needham and Nickerson all went for double figures.... only the 2nd time in 2 years that they did that. Completely out-played Drexel's big guards using skill and quickness. Once again when we play with 3 guards out there the game looks very simple. Each one of the guards took their turn as being leaders, and hit big shots.
Mo Barrow hit his 1st 3-pointer of his career, and his perimeter game is starting to come around. He is rally battling. Amadou is playing really hard too. Nothing fancy with him, but he had to handle 2 behemouths of Drexel. Very effective defensively. Matthews was quiet statistically, but had his hands on a lot of balls. Just a rough game against a rough Team, and we beat them physically and on 50-50 loose balls because of this unit.
Essentialy played only a 6 man rotation, which could be why we played very consistently the whole game. Team showed a lot of ownership, and looked like a team that has been playing together for a while..... especially on defense.
We are still in search for Amadou's backup...... at this point its Mikulic, but he needs to show more on defense and rebounding. His reaction time is a lot slower than the first 3 games of this year.
We showed we belong in the CAA..... I think we own a good Drexel team going 3-1 over the last 6 years. Now we have to prove ourselves to the A-10 at St Joes.
Post by nashvillestag on Dec 17, 2012 0:19:09 GMT -5
Once again it was the defense that set the tone as the Stags were able to disrupt the Drexel offense all night long. And like the previous two games it was the constant pressure applied by the Stag perimeter defenders against the main scorers of the opposition that proved to be a difference maker. Today the foursome of Nickerson, Needham, Wade and Mo Barrow were exceptional in intensity, energy, and comunication in denying both Lee and Massenat any easy shots. And I think Mo in particular deserves extra praise for this part of the game, as recently he has been asked to guard real tough wing players out away from the basket and he has done it well!
