Metro Atlantic First Round Recap

(5) Rider Broncs 75, (10) Loyola Greyhounds 67
Round One of the Metro Atlantic took center stage yesterday at Albany’s Pepsi Arena. Rider’s junior phenom guard Jerry Johnson carried his teammates on his back with 31 points and, with 5:13 to play dropped in a shot from downtown sealing a victory in what was an unexpected seesaw battle.

Loyola did not look like the team that earlier this season came close to breaking college basketball’s longest losing streak. The Hounds sophomore guard Charlie Bell led his team in scoring with 26 points on eight of 18 shooting.

While Loyola ends its season with an overall record of 1-27, Rider improves to 17-13 and will next face No. Four St. Peters today at Five o’clock.

(7) Iona Gaels 68, (8) Canisius Griffs 66
A heartbreaking scene at center court following the game, the harsh reality of seniors Toby Foster and Jon Ferris’ college basketball careers coming to a close came to fruition.

The Ferris-Foster tandem has been the catalyst for Canisius this season but was not enough to stop Iona last night as the Gaels prevailed in a nail biter, 68-66. Sophomore guard Ricky Soliver had another big performance finishing with a game high 19 points to lead Iona.

Canisius had the last possession and with seconds left, Richard Jones missed the shot and Ferris was there for the offensive rebound but was unable to connect as time expired. The Gaels will face No. Two Niagara today at Seven o’clock

(6) Siena Saints 73, (9) Marist Red Foxes 64
In the night cap the excitement continued as the battle between Siena and Marist came down to the final minute. As close as Marist was able to get, Siena never relinquished the lead in the second half, largely in part due to the explosive play of senior guard Jamal Jackson, who finished with a career high 17 points.

Three-land kept Marist in this one as freshman Will Whittington hit back-to-back three pointers with 9:38 in regulation, cutting Siena’s lead to 51-48. Junior Brandon Ellerbee hit from downtown with 2:52 to play making the score 62-60. After a pair of Marist free throws, Whittington would steal the ball, making it 64-62, also scoring his 18th point, a new career high.

In the end the Saints, supported by a hometown crowd, hung tough and sophomores Michael Haddix and guard Antoine Jordan played big in the second half. Head coach Dave Magarity and his Marist Red Foxes finish their 2004 campaign with an overall record of 6-22.

Siena will next take on No. Three Fairfield tonight in the nightcap.