All that is good with Atlantic 10 Men’s basketball.
Gaston, Brothers, Wright earn weekly A-10 awards
NEWPORT NEWS, Va.—The Atlantic 10 has named Fordham junior forward Chris Gaston and Richmond junior guard Darien Brothers its Co-Players of the Week. La Salle’s Jerrell Wright was also tabbed as Rookie of the Week. The league released the awards Monday for games played Dec. 19-25.
Gaston, scored a career-high 35 points, surpassing his previous career best of 32 in the Rams’ win over Texas State. The Union City, N.J. native also pulled down 15 rebounds, notching his NCAA leading ninth double-double of the year and the 45th of his career. He has netted double figures in scoring and pulled down double digit rebounds in ten of the eleven games. Gaston was 13-of-17 from the field and 9-of-12 at the line. He also had a block, an assist and a steal.
Brothers averaged 31.5 points per game on the week, shooting 17-of-31 (.548) from the floor and 12-of-21 (.571) from 3-point range. He scored a career-high 38 points, making 9-of-15 from the field and 7-for-11 from beyond the arc in a 90-82 overtime win over Old Dominion. Brothers, a Richmond, Va., native, followed that up with 25 points on 8-of-16 shooting from the field and 5-for-10 from long range at UCLA on Friday. He added eight rebounds, two assists and three steals for the week.
Atlantic 10 Honor Roll
Javarris Barnett of Charlotte notched a career-best double-double versus Coppin State with a career-high 26 points, the most scored by a 49er since opening day of the 2010-11 season … The 12 rebounds matched Barnett’s career-best as well … Charlotte freshman Pierra Henry averaged 10.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.0 steals in the 49ers two games … Henry scored 12 points versus Coppin State, his third game in double fi gures this year … Dayton’s Josh Benson averaged 13.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.0 blocks in two game this week in UD’s come-from-behind win over UIC, scoring eight points, grabbing six rebounds, blocking all three shots and coming up with a huge steal and subsequent free throws to seal the win … B.J. Monteiro of Duquesne came off the bench to score 11 points, grab five rebounds, hand out three assists, block two shots and register a career-high four steals to key the Dukes’ win at George Mason, snapping the Patriots 18-game home winning streeak … Monteiro’s freshman teammate Mamadou Datt set career highs for points (8) and rebounds (9) and went 4-of-8 from the field with three dunks versus GMU … Jesse Morgan of Massachusetts was one-point shy of his career-high with a team-best 14 points in UMass’ win over Davidson … Morgan was 6-of-13 from the fl oor and recorded three assists along with three rebounds. Freshman Maxie Esho of Massachusetts scored a career-high 12 points off the bench versus Davidson, hitting 4-for-4 from the floor and 3-for-3 from the free throw line in 19 minutes of action … St. Bonaventure’s Demetrius Conger led the Bonnies with 16.5 points in a two-game split for St. Bonaventure last week … Conger recorded 16 points in a 67-65, heartbreaking loss to NC State at Rochester’s Blue Cross Arena, before a 17-point outing against Saint Francis (Pa.) … C.J. Aiken of Saint Joseph’s scored a career-high 20 points in a win over Coppin State, shooting 7-for-10 from the fi eld and 6-for-6 from the foul line with six rebounds … Dwayne Evans led Saint Louis in scoring and rebounding against Arkansas State … Evans was 8-of-11 from the fi eld and 1-of-1 from 3-point range in the victory, leading the team in rebounding in each of the last three games … Temple’s Juan Fernandez scored a season high 23 points hitting 8-of-18 from the fi eld and 5-for-7 from 3-point range in the win at Rice … Fernandez’s five 3-pointers were most since Feb. 28, 2010…Fernandez also tied season-high with five rebounds.
Billikens roll past Arkansas State, 70-46
ST. LOUIS – Saint Louis sophomore forward Dwayne Evans recorded game highs of 18 points and nine rebounds in the Billikens’ 70-46 victory over Arkansas State Thursday at Chaifetz Arena.
The win is the Billikens’ fifth in a row and improves their record to 11-1, which represents their best start since the 1993-94 season. Arkansas State dips to 6-7.
Evans’ 18 points came on 8-of-11 shooting from the field, 1-1 from 3-point range and 1-2 from the line. He was one off his career high of 19 points, set earlier this season against Villanova. Evans had nine boards (four offensive) and recorded two steals.
Senior forward Brian Conklin hit 6-of-9 from the field en route to 12 points. He collected five rebounds. Sophomore guard Mike McCall Jr. had nine points on a perfect 3-for-3 shooting performance from the floor. Junior forward Cody Ellis continued his hot shooting from 3-point range, nailing three treys to account for his nine points.
Spiders keep it close, but outlasted by UCLA
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. – After knotting the score at 34-34 at intermission, Richmond could not close a second-half deficit as UCLA pulled away down the stretch for a 71-63 victory on Friday at the Los Angeles Sports Arena.
Junior Darien Brothers shot 8-for-16 from the field and buried 5-of-10 treys to finish with a game-high 25 points. Sophomore Derrick Williams added 14 points on 4-of-7 shooting and a 5-of-6 clip at the line, while freshman Kendall Anthony came off the bench to total 10 tallies tonight.
Senior Darrius Garrett paced all players with nine rebounds and finished with a game-best five blocks to lead the Spiders defensively.
Richmond tops rival Monarchs in overtime thriller
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. – Junior Darien Brothers lit it up for a career night from long range to lead Richmond past in-state rival Old Dominion in a 90-82 overtime thriller on Tuesday at the Robins Center.
After the Spiders took a 40-32 lead into the half, a back-and-forth battle ensued for much of the second as the Monarchs would fight back for a 59-55 lead with 6:17 remaining in regulation. The Spiders, who rallied thanks in large part to Brothers’ 10 points down the stretch, led 72-69 with :09 to play before ODU senior Kent Bazemore drained a desperation trey with two ticks left to square the score and send the game into overtime.
Richmond to raise Kevin Anderson banner
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. – Richmond will honor all-time great Kevin Anderson on Friday, Dec. 30 at the game against UNC-Greensboro which tips at 4 p.m.
The first 2,500 fans in the Robins Center will receive a Kevin Anderson photo card to commemorate KA having a banner raised to the Robins Center rafters alongside University of Richmond Athletics Hall of Famers Johnny Newman, Warren Mills and coach Dick Tarrant.
Miami snaps 49ers five-game streak
The Miami Hurricanes (7-4) hit three-pointers on five straight second-half possessions to break open a one-point game on their way to a 76-61 road victory over the Charlotte 49ers (7-3).
The loss snapped the 49ers five-game win streak.
“That was a very good Miami team. They came in and played really well. They came in and were very, very steady from tip to buzzer,” said 49ers head coach Alan Major. “It’s very disappointing to lose a game — and to lose it in that fashion. We’ve got to continue to take the steps and continue to improve and we’ll do that.”
Charlotte trailed by seven at the half but scored the first five points of the second half to fight right back into the game. A Derrio Green three-pointer with 16:26 remaining brought Charlotte to within one, 37-36, before Miami heated up from outside.
Wright scores career-high in La Salle victory at Central Connecticut State
NEW BRITAIN, Conn. – The La Salle men’s basketball team was efficient on offense and stingy on defense in defeating Central Connecticut State, 85-59, on Thursday night at Detrick Gym. Freshman Jerrell Wright scored a career-high 21 points and added nine rebounds in the victory.
“I think he’s absolutely going to be a great player for us and I think today was a step in the right direction,” head coach Dr. John Giannini said.
Wright shot 9-for-14 from the field and had three assists in his best collegiate game.
Junior Ramon Galloway shot 6-for-7 from the field, including making all three three-pointers, for 15 points. Three other Explorers—sophomore Sam Mills (12 points), sophomore Tyreek Duren (10 points) and senior Devon White (10 points) also reached double-figures.
Flyers top UIC, 64-57
DAYTON, Ohio – The University of Dayton Flyers used a strong second half to take a 64-57 victory over the University of Illinois-Chicago Flames Friday night at UD Arena. The Flyers scored 17 unanswered points late in the first half and beginning of the second half to propel them to the victory.
UD trailed the Flames 32-24 with 1:31 remaining in the first half, but thanks to a 5-0 run by sophomore Devin Oliver, on a three from the wing and a follow-up tip-slam on a fast break, the Flyers were able to cut UIC’s lead to 32-29 as the teams headed into the locker room.
Dayton continued that surge in the second half as they scored the first nine points of the half to lead the Flames 41-32 with 15:36 left in the game. UIC scored its first basket of the second half at the 15:19 mark. Overall, the UIC drought lasted five minutes and 10 seconds from the 1:31 mark in the first half until the 15:19 mark of the second half. During that time, UD turned a 32-24 deficit into a 41-32 lead.
Chris Wright begins NBA career
Christmas Day is the day that wishes become reality. Usually that means a present under a tree. But for the University of Dayton’s Chris Wright, it’s an opportunity that begins on the basketball floor at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Cal.
That’s where the 2011-12 season opens for the Golden State Warriors. Wright is one of four rookies on the Golden State roster.
“It’s fun and exciting to be here,” Wright said. “I know I’ve been blessed to be in this position. What they want me to do is what I always try to do – work hard, play with high effort and high energy, and contribute to the team.”
Wright, who graduated from the University last May, had one of the best four years in Flyer basketball history. The greatest above-the-rim player to ever wear the Red & Blue, Wright is the school career record holder in dunks (177) and blocked shots (162). He is only the third UD player to be named All-Atlantic 10 conference three times.
UMass win streak to four, defeat Davidson, 73-65
AMHERST, Mass. – The UMass men’s basketball team was able to improve to 10-3, Thursday night, as the Minutemen defeated Davidson, 73-65. UMass remains undefeated in the friendly confines of the Mullins Center now at a record of 5-0; 6-0 overall in home games including the season-opener at the Cage. The Minutemen are riding a four-game win streak going into next Friday’s match-up against Central Connecticut. Jesse Morgan led the Minutemen with 14 points, while Maxie Esho had a career-high 12 points.
All told, five players reached double-figures in the scoring column for UMass, while Sean Carter hauled in a season-high 10 rebounds. Along with Esho and Morgan, Raphiael Putney, Chaz Williams, and Javorn Farrell each scored 10 points.
Dukes snap George Mason’s home win streak with 75-64 win
FAIRFAX, VA. – Sean Johnson came off the bench to lead four players in double figures with 14 points as Duquesne ended George Mason’s home win streak at 18 with a 75-64 win at the Patriot Center.
T.J. McConnell added 12 points, 4 assists and 3 steals, Eric Evans scored all 12 of his points in the second half and B.J. Monteiro added 11 points and a career-high 4 steals for the Dukes (7-5).
Ryan Pearson and Vertrail Vaughns led George Mason (7-4) with 13 points each.
Duquesne head coach Ron Everhart, unhappy with Duquesne’s effort in an 85-71 loss at Western Michigan on Saturday, shook things up with a starting lineup that included three sophomores – McConnell, Mike Talley and Jerry Jones – along with true freshmen Kadeem Pantophlet and Mamadou Datt.
It was the first career start for Jones, Pantophlet and Datt and first start of this season for Talley.
BIG WINS FOR THE A-10
The league has fared well against the “big six” conference schools picking up 20 victories in the first month of play. That’s more than the A-10 had during the entire 2009-10 regular season (18) and well on the way to last year’s total of 22. With at least eight games against the big six remaining (possibly more, depending on holiday tournament matchups), the Atlantic 10 is well poised to continue to serve notice. In all, the A-10 will face a big six member a whopping 52 times this year.
A-10 Wins vs. Big Six Conferences
vs. Big East ……………………………………………………………………5
vs. ACC ………………………………………………………………………… 5
vs. SEC …………………………………………………………………………..3
vs. Big Ten …………………………………………………………………….4
vs. Pac-12 ……………………………………………………………………..2
vs. Big 12 …………………………………………………………………….. 1
Total …………………………………………………………..20
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MILLENEUM MARK
There are 14 Atlantic 10 players that have either surpassed the 1,000 career point mark or who are on pace to break it this season. Of the nine players that have reached the milestone, six of them did it this year and two of those (Carl Jones and Kwamain Mitchell) accomplished the feat on the same night.
Active 1,000-Point Scorers
Player…………………………………. Points…………………………. When Reached
Andrew Nicholson, SBU…………… 1,657………………………… 12/11/10
Tu Holloway, XU ……………………..1,425 …………………………1/29/11
Chris Johnson, UD …………………..1,200…………………………. 3/5/11
Chris Gaston, FOR……………………. 1,127………………………. 11/29/11
Tony Taylor, GW ……………………..1,081……………………….. 11/21/11
Carl Jones, SJU ……………………….1,067……………………….. 12/7/11
Kwamain Mitchell, SLU……………. 1,037 ……………………….12/7/11
Juan Fernandez, TU …………………1,020 ………………………12/19/11
Ramone Moore, TU ………………….1,015………………………. 12/17/11
On Pace to Reach 1,000 in 2011-12
Deuce Briscoe, CHA …………………..979* N/A
B.J. Monteiro, DUQ ……………………969 N/A
Derrio Green, CHA …………………….869 N/A
Mark Lyons, XU ……………………….856 N/A
Kenny Frease, XU ……………………..847 N/A
*Briscoe is a transfer. 535 of his points came while playing at North Carolina Central.
Wright’s climb to NBA could lift UD recruiting
Archie Miller was known as a dogged recruiter as an assistant for some top college basketball teams before becoming the head coach at Dayton, and one of his biggest selling points to prospects was how those programs could be a springboard to the pros.
That was especially true during a two-year stint at Arizona, which has had the most players picked in the NBA draft since it went to two rounds in 1989.
Miller hasn’t been able to drop any names of ex-Flyers in the NBA, but that will change today when the league launches its season with Chris Wright
UD’s Oliver showing steady improvement
Devin Oliver would never root for his teammates to miss a fast-break layup, but the University of Dayton sophomore has shown he’s pretty handy to have around when they do.
The 6-foot-7 wing has followed an errant transition drive with a two-handed tip-dunk in three of the last four games, including one off a missed Kevin Dillard layup in traffic in a 64-57 win over Illinois-Chicago on Friday.
Dunphy: Temple’s Randall, Eric still not close to returning
The Temple Owls have played their last six games without two of their seniors, F/C Micheal Eric and wing Scootie Randall, winning four of those games.
It doesn’t appear either will be back soon.
Randall has been out since the summer after undergoing offseason knee surgery, while Eric hurt his patella on Nov. 26, the day before a 67-64 loss at Bowling Green.
Philahoops’ Bracket Expert: St. Joseph’s has best chance at NCAA Tourney
With the Hawks coming off of two solid wins at home over Creighton and Villanova, the NCAA tournament field now looks like a very realistic goal. Next week they will host a poor Morgan St. team (Expected RPI 156) team at the Hagan Arena. A loss here would be a disaster, but St. Joe’s should be safe as 11- point favorites according to the Sagarin Predictor ratings (82% chance of victory). A huge opportunity looms @ Harvard (Expected RPI 46) on New Year’s Eve.
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