Nov. 20, 2004
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POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - Birmingham-Southern's Jakob Sigurdarson nailed a jumper with nine seconds left Saturday to edge the visiting Panthers over host Marist 67-66 in the championship game of the 19th annual Pepsi Marist Classic. Birmingham-Southern moved to 3-1 with the win, while the Red Foxes fell to 1-1 overall. In all, there were 15 lead changes and 10 ties during the course of the contest.
Marist's Will Whittington was named tournament MVP after a 20 point-six assist performance Saturday, giving him a total of 35 points and 12 assists in his two games this weekend. The All-Tournament Team consisted of Marist's Will McClurkin, Birmingham-Southern's Shema Mbyirukira, Cornell's Lenny Collins, Jose Juan Barea of Northeastern and Sigurdarson.
The lead changed hands several times in the first half, resulting in six ties in the stanza. Sigurdarson's jumper with two seconds left to give them the Panthers the lead. He finished with 10 first-half points on 4-for-8 shooting.
The action continued to be close throughout the second half, but the Red Foxes managed to pull out to a three-point advantage (66-63) with 2:17 left to play. Sigurdarson nailed a pair of free throws a minute later to pull the Panthers within one to set the stage for the final heroics. The Red Foxes did have one last chance to win the game, but Carl Hood's jumper from the right wing fell short as time expired.
McClurkin was the only other Red Fox in double figures with 12, while Hood led Marist with seven rebounds. Jared Jordan continued his stellar play at the point, notching eight assists. Brandon Ellerbee also led Marist with three steals.
Birmingham-Southern placed four players in double figures, including Sigurardon's 16. Mbyirukira and Thomas Viglianco scored 12 apiece while Jimmy Amerson tossed in 10. Mbyirukira led the Panthers with six boards.
Marist finished the game shooting 25-for-57 from the floor for 43.9 percent, while Birmingham-Southern went 24-for-43 for 55.8 percent. Like Friday, Marist made 10 three-pointers, but shot just 37 percent form long range on this night.
The Red Foxes will now travel to Olean, N.Y. to take on St. Bonaventure Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
