2008 Woodie Awards
Men's hoops bounce back with win
Jay Gagliardi
Issue date: 2/22/07 Section: Sports
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It was an all around team effort that propelled Sacred Heart's men's basketball to a rare, but impressive, one sided victory against Mount St. Mary's in an important game for both teams.
Sacred Heart took the court Thursday night knowing what needed to be done. They needed a solid, convincing win against a Mount St. Mary's team that also had much to prove.
Going into the game the two teams were tied for fourth place, giving the winner sole possession of the final spot for an eventual home game in the NEC tournament.
After getting crushed by Central Connecticut earlier in the week, the Pioneers wanted to erase the doubt of all their skeptics, and show that they were capable of stepping out of the NEC norm, and winning by a double digit margin.
With Luke Granato out due to a minor shoulder injury, the team would need a solid effort from everyone that stepped on the floor.
"We needed everyone to step up for us tonight," said Liam Potter, sophomore, Lincolnshire, UK.
Sacred Heart not only played well offensively but was able complete its effort on Thursday night playing impenetrable defense.
The Pioneers rank 11th in defense, in the NEC and have received a lot of scrutiny throughout the season. However, Sacred Heart erased all questions about its defense allowing only 51 points, the least allowed by SHU all season.
"Coach talked a lot about defense, and said everyone needed to step up and be a presence," said Potter.
Sacred Heart won every defensive category on Thursday night, and in fact had as many blocked shots as Mt. St. Mary's had steals.
The game started with Mount St. Mary's hitting its opening shot, putting them up by three, and giving them exactly one minute to enjoy its only lead of the game.
The Pioneers defense caused three early turnovers and saw their starting center, Potter, block three shots, passing his career high in the first three minutes of play.
This was all the Pioneers would need to trigger their defense for the rest of the game and the three blocks by Potter were just half of what he would end up with as a total.
Sacred Heart took the court Thursday night knowing what needed to be done. They needed a solid, convincing win against a Mount St. Mary's team that also had much to prove.
Going into the game the two teams were tied for fourth place, giving the winner sole possession of the final spot for an eventual home game in the NEC tournament.
After getting crushed by Central Connecticut earlier in the week, the Pioneers wanted to erase the doubt of all their skeptics, and show that they were capable of stepping out of the NEC norm, and winning by a double digit margin.
With Luke Granato out due to a minor shoulder injury, the team would need a solid effort from everyone that stepped on the floor.
"We needed everyone to step up for us tonight," said Liam Potter, sophomore, Lincolnshire, UK.
Sacred Heart not only played well offensively but was able complete its effort on Thursday night playing impenetrable defense.
The Pioneers rank 11th in defense, in the NEC and have received a lot of scrutiny throughout the season. However, Sacred Heart erased all questions about its defense allowing only 51 points, the least allowed by SHU all season.
"Coach talked a lot about defense, and said everyone needed to step up and be a presence," said Potter.
Sacred Heart won every defensive category on Thursday night, and in fact had as many blocked shots as Mt. St. Mary's had steals.
The game started with Mount St. Mary's hitting its opening shot, putting them up by three, and giving them exactly one minute to enjoy its only lead of the game.
The Pioneers defense caused three early turnovers and saw their starting center, Potter, block three shots, passing his career high in the first three minutes of play.
This was all the Pioneers would need to trigger their defense for the rest of the game and the three blocks by Potter were just half of what he would end up with as a total.
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