Nov. 22, 2002
Box Score
Poughkeepsie, NY - The Marist College men's basketball team opened its 2002-03 season in the same fashion as last season, with a win in the opener of the Pepsi-Marist Classic, defeating Colgate 72-65 this evening at the McCann Center. It marks the fifth straight season that Marist has opened with a win, while the Raiders of Colgate, fall to 0-1 on the year.
Colgate took a 54-53 lead with 5:40 remaining in the game, before a three-point play from senior Nick Eppehimer (Pottstown, PA). Dennis Young (Warrenton, GA) blocked the ensuing Colgate shot attempt, which fed a fast break three-pointer from Brandon Ellerbee (Plano, TX), for Marist to open a 59-54 lead. The lead stretched to seven, 63-56 with 2:19 left in the game before Colgate scored five straight points, to close within 63-61 with 1:29 left. Marist finished the game on a 9-4 run to seal the win.
Eppehimer finished with a double-double, scoring 15 points and hauling in 10 boards. It marks the second season in a row that Eppehimer has started the year with a double-double, after putting up 12 points and 12 boards against Drexel in last years opener. Young tied a career-high with 20 points, shooting 7-10 from the floor and 67-8 from the free throw line. Ellerbee also scored 15, a career-high for him, and dished out a career-high tying six assists in the winning effort.
Marist shot 37.9 percent from the field on the night, getting out shot by the visitor, who connected on 40.7 percent. The Red Foxes did go to the line 31 times, converting 83.9 percent (26), while the Raiders were only 12-20 from the charity stripe.
The Red Foxes outrebounded Colgate40-37 on the evening, led by tthe 10 of Eppehimer, and nine from Young. Chris Handy had eight rebounds in his first action as a Red Fox, as well as scoring nine points on 4-8 shooting from the floor. Marist had 13 assists on the night and forced 15 turnovers on the part of Colgate. The Red Foxes finished the game with 10 steals.
Dave Hardy led the way for Colgate with a career-high 25 points, on 9-13 shooting from the field. Mark Linebaugh scored 14 points and had eight rebounds in the game for the Raiders.
Marist will meet Vermont in the Championship Game, Saturday at 7:30 pm, while Colgate will take on Eastern Michigan in the consolation. The Catamounts defeated the Eagles 71-64 in the opening game of the tournament.
The Catamounts had a 32-26 lead at the half, and held off the Eagles for the win. Vermont outrebounded Eastern Michigan 50-33 in the contest. The Catamounts improve to 1-0 on the season, while Eastern Michigan falls to 0-1.
Matt Sheftic led Vermont with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Scotty Jones also posted a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Taylor Coppenrath tallied 14 points on 5-7 shooting for the Catamounts.
Michael Ross led a balanced attack with 16 points for the Eagles. Ryan Prillman shot the ball well, going 7-8 from the field, while scoring 15 points and grabbing eight rebounds.
