Manhattan seems to be a good matchup for us. They don't have the type of scorer who can take over a game and they play a slower tempo which fits our style.
Nice job by the guys tonight. All around good effort and nice to see the shots dropping for once.
Final MAAC Standings 1) Siena (15-5) - 8th MAAC Regular Season title 2) Saint Peter’s (14-6) 3) Rider (12-8) 4) Monmouth (12-8) 5) Quinnipiac (10-10)
2020 MAAC MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP Round-Game-Match-up-Date-Time-Network First Round - Game 1 - #8 Fairfield vs #9 Manhattan - Tuesday, March 10 at 5:00 pm on ESPN3 Quarterfinal - Game 4 - Siena vs Game 1 Winner - Wednesday, March 11 at 7:00 pm on ESPN3 Semifinal - Game 8 - Game 4 Winner vs Game 7 Winner - Friday, March 13 at 6:00 pm on ESPNN Championship - Game 10 - Game 8 Winner vs Game 9 Winner - Saturday, March 14 at 4:00 pm on ESPNU
Heavy rain and Friday night traffic around New York may have delayed the arrival of the Fairfield University men's basketball team but it did not stop the Stags from enjoying their best shooting night of the season. The team shot a season-high 62 percent from the floor (26 of 42).
The New York traffic and the weather were not on our side tonight but we got off to a good start anyway and that carried us through," Head Coach Jay Young said. "Steve (Masiello) does a good job and they are a tough team so we knew they would make a run at us in the second half. They took a run and we were able to withstand it with a couple of baskets. I'm really proud of the way we played tonight."
"Jesus (Cruz) is making good plays for us," Coach Young said. "He was 8 of 11 but also had three assists and only one turnover so I really love those numbers. He was able to get in the middle of their zone and make some plays. We needed him because that's a spot that was open and he is able to make plays in that area of the floor."
"I really like the fact that Landon scored 19 points tonight and made just one three pointer," Coach Young said. "He made some twos tonight and that's what he has to do when they are guarding him. So it was a really efficient box score for him tonight."
Taliaferro ended the night with 19 points, his fourth straight game in double figures. The guard has averaged 16 points per game during the final four contests of the regular season.
Heavy rain and Friday night traffic around New York may have delayed the arrival of the Fairfield University men's basketball team but it did not stop the Stags from enjoying their best shooting night of the season. The team shot a season-high 62 percent from the floor (26 of 42).
The New York traffic and the weather were not on our side tonight but we got off to a good start anyway and that carried us through," Head Coach Jay Young said. "Steve (Masiello) does a good job and they are a tough team so we knew they would make a run at us in the second half. They took a run and we were able to withstand it with a couple of baskets. I'm really proud of the way we played tonight."
"Jesus (Cruz) is making good plays for us," Coach Young said. "He was 8 of 11 but also had three assists and only one turnover so I really love those numbers. He was able to get in the middle of their zone and make some plays. We needed him because that's a spot that was open and he is able to make plays in that area of the floor."
"I really like the fact that Landon scored 19 points tonight and made just one three pointer," Coach Young said. "He made some twos tonight and that's what he has to do when they are guarding him. So it was a really efficient box score for him tonight."
Taliaferro ended the night with 19 points, his fourth straight game in double figures. The guard has averaged 16 points per game during the final four contests of the regular season.
Well that's two away games in which the team was delayed in arriving and in those games they were 2-0, the other being @marist a month ago. Maybe that's the secret. Come late which leaves no time to be nervous. Whatever works. And BTW the traffic also delayed the (very) small contingent of Stag fans causing at least four of us to miss the first segment of the contest. Maybe that served to change the karma of the recent poor starts. Again, whatever works!
Yeah I'm not sure he was even looking at the basket when he threw that one up. Sometimes it's just your night and obviously that was the case with Cruz in this game. Certainly helps when both Jesus and Landon have big games together as it obviously changes the dynamic of the Stags offense. Hopefully this carries over to the tournament.
Last Edit: Mar 7, 2020 0:59:21 GMT -5 by nashvillestag
Unsung hero award to Taj. Did a lot of hard work breaking pressure.
I agree. But I would also add that Methnani contributed some defensive plays that may have gone unnoticed which also helped the cause in an unsung way. This was great to see considering he was not even in uniform for the previous game.
Big win for the Stags! 62% shooting for the game! Wow!! Very surprised that Masiello went zone so soon and so much allowing Cruz to post up at the foul line and do his stuff. Manhattan's zone defense really helped get our offense in gear. Will we do the hat trick on Manhattan? Disappointed to be facing Siena again after we win on Tuesday. How's that for confidence. Totally agree with other posts - Benning is this years MVP.