Courtesy SBU Athletics

Courtesy GoBonnies.com

ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. – Senior Jessica Jenkins hit eight 3-pointers en route to a game-high 32 points as RV/RV St. Bonaventure (22-2, 9-0 Atlantic 10) defeated a shorthanded George Washington club, 80-69, to win its record-tying 11th straight game and remain alone at the top of the A-10 standings.

Bonaventure and Jenkins took advantage of a GW squad (10-12, 3-5 A-10) which dressed just six players due to injuries. With the makes, Jenkins became the nation’s all-time active leader for career 3-pointers with 314. She also moved into a tie for 24th on the all-time NCAA Division I list as she hit eight 3′s in game for the third time this season.

The 11 consecutive victories ties the program record with the 2009-10 team which commenced its campaign at 11-0. It also evens head coach Jim Crowley‘s career record at Bona’s (176-176) for the first time in his 12-year tenure on the SBU sidelines.

The 80 points are a season high for Bonaventure as the Bonnies also shot a season-best 52.8 percent from the floor (28-53).

Junior Alaina Walker added 14 points – her first double-figure scoring outing since the conference opener – while redshirt senior Armelia Horton dished out a career-best eight assists – three more than any Bona player has issued this year. Walker’s point total is the most in her career against an A-10 opponent.

After the lead changed hands 11 times in the opening half, the Bonnies closed the frame on a 10-0 run to take a 38-31 lead into the break. SBU then used an 8-0 stretch – started by a Jenkins’ 3 and capped with a Walker layup – early in the second half to create a 13-point lead which would eventually blossom to as large as 17 at one point.

Senior Megan Van Tatenhove scored nine points and corralled a team-best eight rebounds, while sophomore Doris Ortega added six points. For Van Tatenhove – who is coming off an eight-point outing in SBU’s last game – it marks the first time all season she’s gone consecutive games without reaching double figures. Meanwhile, Ortega had her career-best streak of five straight games in double-figure scoring snapped.

George Washington was paced at the offensive end by Tiana Myers who scored 27 and in the process netted her 1,000th career point. That’s the most points scored by an individual against the Bonnies this year, and the 69 Colonial points are the most SBU has given up this year.

Senior Jennie Ashton provided a spark off the Bonaventure bench as she tied a career high with six points and pulled down six boards in 18 minutes – her most game action since Dec. 30 against Norfolk State.

St. Bonaventure returns to action on the road Wednesday against Massachusetts. The game is the first of a doubleheader with the men’s team as it will face the Minutemen following the women’s 5 p.m. contest.

Game Notes: With a perfect 6-6 from the free-throw line, Jenkins still has not missed a free throw in conference play (29-29) … the 11 3-pointers by St. Bonaventure are the second-most this year … SBU finished with 19 assists to just 12 turnovers … sophomore CeCe Dixon and junior Chelsea Bowker each scored five points off the bench … sophomore Ashley Zahn tallied three points, while freshman Tatiana Wilson played in her second A-10 game of the year.

Brian Conklin (Courtesy of SLUBillikens.com)

Courtesy of SLUBillikens.com.

ST. LOUIS - Brian Conklin scored a game-high-tying 16 points, and Saint Louis held off Dayton’s second-half rally to defeat the Flyers 58-50 Saturday in front of 10,414 fans at Chaifetz Arena, the largest home crowd of the season for the Billikens and second-largest attendance in the Arena’s four-year history.

With the victory, the Billikens (18-5, 6-3 Atlantic 10) remained one-half game behind conference leader Temple (6-2). Dayton fell to 14-9 overall and 4-5 in the league.

Conklin, who played a career- and game-high 37 minutes, also pulled down eight rebounds. Kwamain Mitchelltallied 12 points and a game-high four assists, Cody Ellis scored 10 points, and Dwayne Evans narrowly missed a double-double with nine points and a game-high 10 rebounds.

Chris Johnson tossed in 16 points and collected seven rebounds, including a game-high five offensive boards, for Dayton. Kevin Dillard netted 11 points, and Luke Fabrizius grabbed nine rebounds.

Each team registered a season scoring low. Saint Louis shot 40 percent (18-of-45) overall and 23.5 percent (4-of-17) from 3-point range, but Dayton was worse. The Flyers connected on just 24.6 percent (14-of-57) overall and 16.7 percent (4-of-24) from beyond the arc.

SLU led 31-25 at halftime, and Conklin quickly made it 35-25 with a tip-in and a layup on the Billikens’ first two second-half possessions.

Trailing 36-26, Dayton used an 8-0 run to narrow the Saint Louis advantage to 36-34. The Flyers had a chance to tie or take the lead on their next possession, but Fabrizius – whose 3-pointer had made it a two-point game – misfired on another trey attempt.

Rob Loe hit a 3-pointer and Conklin made a layup to give the Bills some breathing room at 41-34. The lead remained between four and seven points until two Dillard free throws narrowed the gap to three, 44-41, with 8:47 left.

Mitchell knocked down a 3-pointer at the 8:32 mark to double the Billiken margin, but that was the last field goal SLU would score in the next five minutes. Dayton sank just one of its next five shots, but Dillard’s layup with 3:54 remaining made it a one-possession game, 48-45.

A steal and layup by Mike McCall Jr. 30 seconds later put SLU on top 51-45, and two free throws by Evans put the Bills in front 53-46 with 2:35 left. Dayton, however, converted four free throws in the next two minutes to shave the Saint Louis lead to 53-50 with 34 seconds to go.

That concluded the Flyers’ scoring for the day, however, and the Billikens made enough free throws in the waning seconds to maintain command.

Saint Louis trailed 10-8 at the 14:30 mark of the first half before a 10-0 spurt put the Billikens on top 18-10 with 9:24 left. SLU earned its first double-digit lead, 23-13, on an Ellis 3-pointer and later led 31-20 before UD tallied the final five points of the half.

The Billikens are back in action Wednesday, Feb. 8, against Saint Joseph’s in Philadelphia. Tip time is 7:30 p.m. (CT), and the game will be televised on KPLR Channel 11.

C.J. McCollum filled up the stat sheet once again with 20 points, seven rebounds, five assists and five steals. (Photo courtesy of Lehigh Sports)

Courtesy of LehighSports.com.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh men’s basketball team used a 15-4 first-half run to open a 40-25 halftime advantage before rolling in the second, as the Mountain Hawks (18-6, 6-2 Patriot League) downed Holy Cross (9-13, 3-5), 75-51, on Saturday in Stabler Arena. Lehigh was led by junior C.J. McCollum, who filled up the stat sheet once again with 20 points, seven rebounds, five assists and five steals to lead the Mountain Hawks to their fourth straight win.
“I was pleased with our defensive effort,” said Lehigh head coach Brett Reed. “I thought we were really glued in. People were in the right positions and because we trusted our system and trusted each other, when opportunities came for steals, our deflections became very important because they created transition opportunities along with negating their shot attempts.”

McCollum finished 9-of-18 from the field while narrowly missing his third straight double-double. Junior Holden Greiner added 15 on 4-of-5 shooting and 2-of-3 from long range while Gabe Knutson posted 12 points to pull within 23 of 1,000 for his career. Senior John Adams impressed off the bench with eight points and eight rebounds as well.

Lehigh avenged its 84-78 to the Crusaders on Jan. 7 by playing stellar defense, holding Holy Cross to 51 points, the third straight game the Mountain Hawks have held an opponent to 64 or fewer. The win was Lehigh’s fourth in a row, the squad’s longest streak since winning six straight from Nov. 15 through Dec. 1.

A strong Mountain Hawks’ defense held preseason All-League honoree Devin Brown to only 10 points on 3-of-10 shooting while 1,000-point scorer R.J. Evans only had seven via 3-of-7 from the floor. Mike Cavataio led the way for Holy Cross with 12 points.

The game was extremely physical with 39 total fouls called, including five players who had four personal fouls (four on Holy Cross and one on Lehigh).

“We dropped the decision at Holy Cross, which is one we were disappointed about,” said Reed. “We didn’t feel we played as well as we were capable of in the beginning of that game. We cut into the deficit, but built too big of a hole. Our guys understood that they let an opportunity slip away and they were very determined and focused to make sure that didn’t happen again tonight.”

Both teams went back and forth in the early going. An R.J. Evans layup gave the Crusaders a 4-3 lead, but Lehigh used a McCollum jumper and two Greiner free throws to go up 7-4 with 16:29 on the clock. Holy Cross used a 7-0 run to go up 11-7 before the Mountain Hawks quickly tied it following a Mackey McKnight fastbreak layup.

The sides went back and forth in the ensuing minutes. Then with the Mountain Hawks leading 23-20, Lehigh’s offense caught fire, scoring 17 points in the final 4:44 (while only allowing five) to open a 15-point, 40-25 lead after 20 minutes of play. McCollum caught fire with eight points in that stretch, including a steal and fastbreak dunk to get the crowd to its feet. McKnight also knocked down a three-pointer with time expiring to cap off five Lehigh points in the final 16 seconds.
The lead hovered between 12 and 17 for the opening 10 minutes of the second half before the Mountain Hawks used a 15-1 run to turn a 55-42 advantage to 70-43 with 4:55 left in the second. The run spanned 6:14 as Knutson scored 10 of the 17 points, including eight straight.

The Mountain Hawks easily held on the rest of the way for their eighth 20-point win of the season. In total, 16 of the team’s 18 victories have come by double figures.

Lehigh finished at 46 percent from the field (25-of-54) and 32 percent from three-point range (7-of-22) while Holy Cross shot 36 percent (18-of-50) and 26 percent from long distance (5-of-19). The Mountain Hawks won the battle of the boards, 37-32.

The Mountain Hawks hit the road on Thursday when they travel to American for a key showdown against the Eagles. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. on CBS Sports Network. Lehigh returns home next Saturday (Feb. 11) for a 7 p.m. tip against Stabler Arena. Admission for that game will be FREE for all as part of Fan Appreciation Night. Fans can claim their tickets on Lehighsports.com. Tickets for all home games may be purchased on Lehighsports.com or by calling the ticket office at (610) 7LU-GAME.

Like Lehigh Men’s Basketball on Facebook for exclusive content, team updates and more: http://www.facebook.com/LehighMensBasketball

By Kyle Soppe

This game saw two of the better teams in the A-10 do battle in Richmond’s Robins Center on a nationally televised game. Richmond (18-5, 6-3) hosted St. Joseph’s (14-8, 4-4) in an important game as far as seeding for the season ending A-10 tournament is concerned. Once the Spiders got their offense rolling, it was a long night for the Hawks. Richmond convincingly beat St. Joe’s by a final tally of 78-59.

Early on, neither team could get any kind of breathing room. Sam Bilney, who has stepped into the starting role of late, opened the Spiders scoring with a gorgeous spin move and left handed finish off of the window. The Hawks leading scorer, Michelle Baker, found bulls eye shooter Katie Kuester for a mid range deuce. Abby Oliver, off of a nice backdoor pass from freshman Liz Brown, was in position to give Richmond the lead, but she was hacked before she could convert the lay up. Oliver knocked down the two freebies, giving her 77 makes on 81 season attempts, and the back and forth nature would continue.

Following Oliver’s two free throws, Brown took a perfect bounce pass from Bilney, and gave Richmond their first lead. The lead didn’t last long as Kuester lined up a triple from the left side and drained it. The high scoring Baker then took over for the Hawks offense, as she scored six of the teams next eight points in a variety of ways. A turnaround fade way, followed by two shifty moves that netted her four points in the paint, and the Hawks held a 15-13 advantage at the under eight media timeout.

But once Baker departed for a rest, the home team took full advantage. St. Joe’ s did not score with their senior leader on the bench, while six different Spiders scored during a 12-0 run. Becca Wann highlighted the spurt with her trademark tenacity. She fought in the paint for three of her five first half rebounds, one of which led to a transition opportunity. She spotted Kristina King, who was active after missing games with a concussion, for an easy lay in. A few possessions later, Wann rebounded her own misfire, and quickly put it up and in. A picturesque pull up jumper from Oliver, and the Spiders were clicking on all cylinders, taking a 27-15 advantage.

However, when Baker reentered the game, the Hawks responded with a run of their own. Baker quickly scored twice, giving her 10 of her teams 12 points in a 13 minute stretch. A floater by Wann with six seconds left halted an 8-0 Hawks run, and gave the Spiders a 33-25 halftime advantage.

The halftime intermission stalled the Hawks momentum, and Richmond dominated the second set of 20 minutes. Becca Wann led the charge, but had plenty of help. Wann opened up the second half with a twisting reverse lay up after recovering a loose ball. After buckets from Gen Okoro and Brown, Wann penetrated into the lane and displayed amazing touch, as her floater softly swished into the net. Richmond’s lead ballooned to 14, and would only get larger.

Okoro, producing at a high level despite being reduced to a reserve, continued to battle inside. She worked hard for position, and  received the ball at the right block. A quick spin and shot, all in one motion, and the Hawks defender was left starring at the back of her #34 jersey. The three point play extended the Spiders advantage to 17.

Wann saw blood in the water, and she went for the kill. Oliver fired the soccer star a chest pass in the paint, which Wann quickly turned into two points. Only moments later, Wann returned the favor, as she launched a baseball pass to a wide open Oliver in the corner. The pass landed softly in Oliver’s shooting pocket, allowing the right handed sharp shooter to bury the triple. The following possession saw center Liz Brown find a slashing Wann for another easy two, giving Richmond a 56-36 lead.

From this point forward, the result was never in question. Richmond’s extreme balance is what makes them a team to be reckoned with, and today was no different. Oliver, the conferences leading scorer, led the way with 19 points, while Wann, Okoro, and Brown all registered double digit point totals. Wann’s impact was evident from her stat line, as she had a game high in rebounds (10) and assists (5). She knocked down eight of her 13 shots, including both of her attempts from down town. Brown’s 11 points and nine rebounds provided Richmond with a solid post presence, something the team desperately needs. Sam Bilney’s stat line may not jump off of the paper, but her efficient four points, two assists, and two rebounds provided stability to the fluctuating starting line up. The Spiders three headed rebounding monster (Okoro, Wann, Brown) combined for 27 rebounds, more than the entire Hawks roster.

The visitors struggled to get much going on the offensive that did not involve Baker. She tallied a team high 16 points on eight of 13 shooting. St. Joe’s was a different team with their top scorer in the game, and struggled to produce points when she was on the bench. Ashley Robinson gave the Hawks production in the paint, totaling 12 points and five boards. Katie Kuester scored 11 points, but only six points after the games first two possessions.

The Spiders get a well deserved week off, before traveling to George Washington on February 11th. The Hawks head to LaSalle on Wednesday the 8th.

EASTON, Pa. — The Navy men’s basketball team made just 4-of-16 second-half shots and Lafayette outscored the Midshipmen, 29-17, in the second half to ease to a 62-41 decision over the Midshipmen on Saturday afternoon at the Kirby Sports Center.

The loss drops Navy to 3-19 overall and 0-8 in the Patriot League. Lafayette improved to 10-13 overall and 5-3 in the league standings.

Navy trailed just 33-24 at halftime and got within 33-28 on its first two possessions of the second half, but then went scoreless for the next six-and-a-half minutes as Lafayette turned a five-point cushion into a 17-point lead on the strength of a 12-0 run to take a 45-28 lead.

Navy scored the next five points to trim the margin to 45-33 with 12:01 to play on a Brandon Venturini (Fr. / Allendale, Mich.) three-pointer, but Lafayette scored the next 10 points to take its largest lead of the game at 55-33 with 5:44 left.

Navy would end the game making just one field goal in the last 12 minutes and finished the second half just 4-of-16 (.250) from the field.

Navy also plagued itself with 20 turnovers, 12 of which came in the first half. Lafayette turned the 20 turnovers into 26 points.

“We just turned the ball over entirely too many times this afternoon. We thought to win the game, we had to keep the game in the 50s, low 60s and we did that, but unfortunately, we didn’t take care of the basketball and that led to our demise,” said Navy head coach Ed DeChellis.

Navy also was playing the game without sophomore J.J. Avila (McAllen, Texas), who leads the team in points, rebounds and assists. Avila was suspended indefinitely earlier this week by the Naval Academy for a violation of Academy rules.

Avila was averaging 17 points, eight rebounds and three assists in Patriot League play at the time of his suspension.

“When you lose a player of J.J.’s status and scoring ability, you are taking at least 18 points out of the lineup. It was imperative that we play slow and limit possessions. But we have to take care of the ball to play that way. It wasn’t so much our defense tonight, but our offense enabled them to get some easy baskets,” added DeChellis.

Navy led 10-9 early on, but the Leopards countered with a 16-5 run over eight-plus minutes for a 25-15 lead with 3:39 left. The two teams played even the rest of the half as Lafayette led 33-24 at halftime.

Navy shot just 14-of-38 (.368) from the field, 3-of-11 (.273) from three-point range and 10-of-18 (.556) from the free throw line. The Mids had just five assists against 20 turnovers and outrebounded Lafayette, 30-25.

Lafayette shot 24-of-49 (.490) from the field, 9-of-22 (.409) from three-point range and were just 5-of-6 (.833) from the free throw line. Lafayette was guilty of 13 turnovers.

Isaiah Roberts (So. / Pennsauken, N.J.) led Navy in points (7), rebounds (5) and assists (2). Venturini had six points on a pair of three-pointers. No other player scored more than four points for the Midshipmen, which got just 16 points from its starters, 25 from its bench personnel.

Nick Petkovich led Lafayette with 11 points off the bench.

Navy will host Holy Cross on Wednesday night at Alumni Hall in Annapolis, tipping off at 7:00 pm. For ticket information, call 1-800-US4-NAVY or visit the Alumni Hall box office one hour prior to tip off on Saturday night.

# GO NAVY #

Victoria Macaulay had another strong outing for Temple with 18 points and a game-high seven rebounds. Kristen McCarthy scored eight points along with dishing three assists, and Rateska Brown came off the bench to score a career-high seven points on 3-of-4 shooting from the field including a three-pointer.

For Peddy, who currently ranks second in the Atlantic 10 at 17.0 points per game, it was her third straight game scoring 20 or more points.

Arielle Collins and Abigail Corning led Fordham (11-13, 2-7) with 15 points apiece.

Fordham took an early lead by as many as six at 14-8 before the Owls got into a rhythm, and 10 early points from Macaulay helped the Owls take their first lead before the midway point of the first half.

With under eight minutes to go in the half, both teams were still shooting over 50 percent from the field. Temple led by as many as three at 21-18, but the game saw its second tie at 23-23. McCarthy drained a long jumper at 6:45 to give the Owls a four-point, 27-23 lead and cap a 6-0 Temple run.

After the Rams hit a pair of free throws to narrow the margin back to two, the Owls closed the half on a 9-2 run with seven of those points coming from Peddy. She led all players at halftime with 14 points while Macaulay finished with 10 as the Owls took a 36-27 lead into the break.

Temple stormed out of the gate in the second half for eight unanswered points which turned into a 17-4 run that gave the Owls a 22-point, 53-31 lead seven minutes into the half.

Fordham was able to come within no fewer than 17 points the rest of the way thanks to solid shooting and strong ball-handling by the Owls who finished with a season-low nine turnovers. Temple scored 15 points off 11 second-half turnovers by the Rams, who finished the game with 17 total turnovers.

The Owls take to the road for their next game, traveling to Saint Louis for an 8:00 p.m. (EST) contest on Wednesday, Feb. 8.

PHILADELPHIA (2/2/12) - Former Temple University standout Marc Jackson will be one of five members that will be inducted into the Philadelphia Big 5 Hall of Fame on February 21. Jackson will become the 23rd men’s basketball player in TU history to be inducted into the Big 5 Hall of Fame.

Jackson, who was named the 1997 A10 Player of the Year, was a two-time all-A10 and all-Big 5 first team honoree (1995-96, 1996-97).  Also a two-time NABC first team all-District performer, he scored 1,059 career points and grabbed 567 rebounds in his three-year collegiate career, including 1,001 points (15.9 ppg.) in his two seasons (1995-96, ’96-97) at Temple.  The Owls center led the team in scoring and rebounding his final two seasons with his best season coming as a junior in 1996-97 when he averaged 16.1 points and 9.0 rebounds per game.  His Temple teams posted a 40-14 record and advanced to the NCAA Tournament both seasons.

Jackson decided to forego his senior season and was drafted in the second round of the 1997 NBA Draft by Golden State.  After playing overseas to start his professional career, he joined Golden State for the 2000-01 season where he was named to the NBA all-Rookie team.  In all, he played seven seasons in the NBA, compiling 3,238 points and 1,655 rebounds.  He now serves as a studio analyst for Comcast SportsNet in Philadelphia.

The Philadelphia Big 5 Hall of Fame Class of 2012 is comprised of Saint Joseph’s Melissa Coursey, Jackson, Penn’s Matt Maloney, La Salle’s Kelly Greenberg and Jenn Beisel of Villanova. The induction ceremony will begin 11:30 a.m. at The Palestra on February 21. For ticket information, please contact the Philadelphia Big 5 at 215-898-4747 or big5@philadelphiabig5.org.

By Kyle Soppe

Per request of Drew Shaner, and the rest of my Pennsylvania based following, here is a closer look at the Heat’s 99-79 victory in Philly.

LeBron James recorded at least 15 points, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds for the 25th consecutive game. He seems to be a good bet to break Oscar Robertson’s all time streak of 29 games. His playmaking ability has been on display of late, as he has registered as many assists as field goals made twice in his last three contests.

Miami pulled away late, as they scored 32 forth quarter points, matching how many the 76ers scored in the second half.

The Heat managed to score 25+ points in three quarters, but failed to reach 100 points.

The Heat nearly shot a better percentage from the field (52%) than from the line (55%). Their accuracy from the field, which was aided by shooting 75% in the forth, was the best in the NBA last night, while the free throw percentage was the worst. In comparison, the 6ers shot 39.5% from the field, as they made 8 less shots despite attempting 4 more.

Eight Heat players shot at least 45% from the field.

Both teams saw many players have next to no impact as far as scoring the ball. The Heat got a total of 6 shots from 3 players who combined for 63 minutes. Philly had 4 players combine for nearly 50 minutes, and attempt a total of 5 shots.

Their struggles at the line didn’t include Wade and Bosh. The duo made 8 of 10 freebies, while the rest of the Heat managed to connect on only 3 of 10. Nobody outside of the “Big Three” made a free throw.

Joel Anthony, who averages 2.6 points per game for his career, single handily outscored 40% of the 76ers starting lineup. This wasn’t a typical game, as the Heat’s center was the lone starter to not record an offensive rebound. Despite Anthony outproducing the 6ers front court, they Heat were outscored by 6 points when he was in the game.

Elton Brand was held scoreless for the fifth time in his 823 game career. To help gain perspective, here is a list of things that happen a similar percentage (0.6%) of the time.

Kobe Bryant plays, but does not start, in a game since 1998 (0.52%)

Michael Jordan scores 60+ points in a game (0.48%)

Kevin Love fouls out of a game (0.67%)

Dwight Howard’s career three point shooting percentage (3.8%). The odds of him making a three pointer are 6x higher than Brand not scoring.

Requests for tonight’s action? We’ve got the Raptors/Heat for Sunday courtesy of Cam White.

Yes, I realize that this feels eerily similar to the 2007-2008 season, where the Giants defeated the Patriots in the Super Bowl. But the result will be different this time around, and let me tell you why by disproving some fallacies of this years rematch.

Statement: How can you pick against Eli Manning? In 2012 it’s pretty simple, you can’t spell elite without Eli.

Rebuttal: It is true that Eli Manning has had a great season that resembles his older brother. But that doesn’t change the fact that he is the second best quarterback in this game. On the season, Tom Brady has thrown for eight more touchdowns despite playing in one game less. Not only has Brady had a better 2011-2012 season, his past achievements (Three Super Bowls) speak for themselves.

Statement: The Giants have the best trio of wide receivers in the NFL. Even if you like Brady more than Manning, the Giants receiving core is good enough to overcome the difference.

Rebuttal: By definition the Giants have a great receiving core, but I’m more worried about pass catchers. Statistically speaking, the combination of Rob Gronkowski, Wes Welker, and Aaron Hernandez has been superior compared to Victor Cruz, Mario Manningham, and Hakeem Nicks. The Patriots combined for 3,806 yards and 33 touchdowns and 16 regular season games, while the Giants accounted for 3,261 yards and 20 scores.

Statement: Rob Gronkowski certainly had a great year, but that was at full strength. The All Pro tight end has missed practice the last two weeks with a high ankle sprain and cannot possibly be the same force he has been all season.

Rebuttal: Valid point but Gronk isn’t like most. The physical specimen brings back memories of Terrell Owens in 2004 when playing with a fractured fibula. TO received a cortisone shot and was the best receiver on the field as he caught nine balls for 122 yards. This injury may keep Gronkowski from being 100% , however, if the past has taught us anything, doctors have the ability to ‘hide’ an injury in a one game season.  Brady will continue to look for Gronkowski and he should have a TO-esque game on Sunday.

Statement: The Giants are streaking right now, reminiscent of the Packers 2010-2011 run. They struggled early in the season but have been unbeatable in the last six weeks.

Rebuttal: I’ve got two issues with this train of thought. First, the Patriots had won 18 straight games previous to being defeated by these Giants in the 2007 Super Bowl. No team has ever been hotter than 18 consecutive wins in the history of the NFL. Second, the Patriots could be considered the hotter of the two teams heading into Sunday’s game. They have rattled off ten consecutive wins and while the Giants have recorded more style points, this isn’t the BCS and that doesn’t help.

Statement: Julian Eldeman played quarterback in college and receiver first few years in NFL; What is he doing playing defensive back for the Patriots? One of the Giants studs will create a mismatch and exploit this weakness all night.

Rebuttal: Eldeman guarding receivers is far from ideal and obviously not how Bill Belichick drew it up. But I trust “The Hoodie” to put his utility man in a position to succeed as a result of two weeks of preparation. Recall, that the Patriots won Super Bowls with Troy Brown playing on both sides of the ball. Plain and simple Belichick doesn’t get out-coached and will find a way to make the Eldeman experiment work.

Silly Stat: Make sure to watch the coin toss this year as the NFC has won 14 straight. If this trend continues, the Patriots are in an even better position to win, as the AFC has won nine of those 14 Super Bowls.

Soppe Score: The Brady/Belichick era earns a fourth ring with a 34-24 victory.

Erik Etherly led all scorers with 15 points. (Photo courtesy of Loyola athletics)

Courtesy of LoyolaGreyhounds.com.

BALTIMORE – Loyola University Maryland held Rider University to just 12 first-half points, going on an 18-0 run that held the Broncs scoreless for more than eight minutes to take control of a 63-46 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference victory in front of a sellout Reitz Arena crowd and a national television audience on ESPNU.

Rider’s 46 points were the fewest Loyola has allowed since a 68-45 victory at Niagara University on February 21, 1992.

The Greyhounds (17-5 overall, 10-2 MAAC) have now heldfive-straight opponents to 57 or fewer points, a school Division I record. Loyola also extended its best-ever start in Division I to 17-5 with the win(the Greyhounds moved to Division I in 1981-1982).

Robert Olson scored eight of his 14 points during the 18-0 run that took Loyola’s 6-5 lead and made it 24-5 when Olson hit his second 3-pointer in three possessions at the 8:44 mark.

“I was proud of our students and fans who represented our program and school so well in front of a national television audience,” Head Coach Jimmy Patsos said. “We do not win that game like that without our fans. They were just tremendous.”

Erik Etherly finished with 15 points to lead all scorers, and Dylon Cormier added 12 for the Greyhounds. Shane Walker tallied seven points and a season-high 12 rebounds.

After Danny Stewart scored for Rider (9-15, 6-6) slowed the Loyola run, the Greyhounds continued to apply the first-half pressure.

Anthony Winbush’s short-corner jumper with 2:27 to go extended the advantage to 26, 35-9. Rider managed just three free throws in the last 2:03, and two Cormier free throws and a runner by a sophomore guard with 22 ticks left made the halftime score 39-12.

Loyola, which shot 51.7-percent (15-of-29) from the field in the first half, held Rider to just 13-percent (3-of-23) shooting and five free throws before the break. The Broncs also committed 12 first-half turnovers.

The second half started in opposite fashion to the way the first half was played, with Rider limiting the Greyhounds’ scoring.

The Broncs scored the first nine points of the first half, cutting Loyola’s lead to 39-23 on a Brandon Penn three less than 4:30 in.

Etherly made 1-of-2 from the line to finally put Loyola on the board in the second half, but Rider then got within 13 on a fast-break layup by Jonathon Thompson with 12:48 left in regulation.

Walker made a pair of free throws under a minute later, and after two Jeff Jones free throws for Rider at 11:38, Loyola scored seven in a row to push its lead back to 20, 49-29, on two Cormier shots from the charity stripe with 9:35 left.

Etherly again went 1-of-2 at the line, and the Olson knocked down the Greyhounds’ first two field goals of the second half, finding the soft spot in the Broncs’ zone at the free-throw line, at 10:43 and 9:55.

“When we needed them to be, Erik Etherly and Robert Olson were the best players on the court in the second half,” Patsos said. “We needed to run more offense (early in the second half), and that is on me, but thenErik and Bobby really took over for a few minutes.”

The Greyhounds would lead by as many as 23 in the second half, and Rider drew no closer than 13.

Stewart was the only Rider player in double-figures, recording a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Rider shot 30.6-percent (15-of-49) from the field in the game, the lowest by a Greyhounds’ opponent this season by more than seven percentage points. The Broncs were also just 2-of-18 from 3-point range.

The sellout was the first in Reitz Arena since the Greyhounds packed the gym on November 14, 2008, in a season-opening loss toMount St. Mary’s.

- loyolagreyhounds.com -