2008 Woodie Awards
Men's bball takes tough loss to Niagra
Deborah N. Harris, Staff Writer
Issue date: 12/6/07Section: Torch Online Exclusives
Despite the strong efforts of five Johnnies in double-digits, Niagara clipped the St. John's men's basketball team (4-2) in a 77-74 victory on Dec. 15 at Carnesecca Arena. The win not only advanced the Purple Eagles to a 5-3 record overall, but also was the team's second time in its 98 meetings with the Johnnies to dominate on the Queens home court.
"We're awful proud of winning," said Niagara head coach Joe Mihalich. "This is a 90-game rivalry-- we've been playing them since 1909. It's a special game for us."
After a 13-day layover for finals, the Johnnies had hopes of chipping off any rust early on. St. John's attempted to pressure the ball to force turnovers and keep it in possession long enough to go on a substantial run, but could not find the rhythm they were looking for.
Niagara's Charron Fisher led all scorers by dropping 30 points and 14 rebounds, while teammate Stanley Hodge finished with 17 points and seven boards.
The Johnnies were only able to capture a seven-point lead at the 12:42 mark of the second half, but could not keep the momentum and soon the Purple Eagles were within one by the 8:41 mark. St. John's struggled to go on another run, but could only grasp a five-point lead, which Niagara chopped back down to one again within the next minute.
"We were careless with the ball and we make no excuses," said St. John's head coach Norm Roberts. "We got into foul trouble and had to play some different line-ups and do some different things."
The game became easier for Niagara when St. John's inside man, freshman forward Justin Burrell picked up his fifth foul. Burrell committed the error while guarding Niagara's Anthony Nelson on a line drive to the basket and fouled out with 3:41 remaining in the second half. Nelson was sent to the charity stripe after making the bucket and completed the three-point play to tie the score 64-all.
"I thought it was big for us," Fisher said. "He was big inside and was giving us problems. Once he went out of the game, we knew we had a better chance."
"We're awful proud of winning," said Niagara head coach Joe Mihalich. "This is a 90-game rivalry-- we've been playing them since 1909. It's a special game for us."
After a 13-day layover for finals, the Johnnies had hopes of chipping off any rust early on. St. John's attempted to pressure the ball to force turnovers and keep it in possession long enough to go on a substantial run, but could not find the rhythm they were looking for.
Niagara's Charron Fisher led all scorers by dropping 30 points and 14 rebounds, while teammate Stanley Hodge finished with 17 points and seven boards.
The Johnnies were only able to capture a seven-point lead at the 12:42 mark of the second half, but could not keep the momentum and soon the Purple Eagles were within one by the 8:41 mark. St. John's struggled to go on another run, but could only grasp a five-point lead, which Niagara chopped back down to one again within the next minute.
"We were careless with the ball and we make no excuses," said St. John's head coach Norm Roberts. "We got into foul trouble and had to play some different line-ups and do some different things."
The game became easier for Niagara when St. John's inside man, freshman forward Justin Burrell picked up his fifth foul. Burrell committed the error while guarding Niagara's Anthony Nelson on a line drive to the basket and fouled out with 3:41 remaining in the second half. Nelson was sent to the charity stripe after making the bucket and completed the three-point play to tie the score 64-all.
"I thought it was big for us," Fisher said. "He was big inside and was giving us problems. Once he went out of the game, we knew we had a better chance."
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