Jan. 22, 2005

Box Score |  Photo Gallery

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y.-Redshirt freshman Ryan Stilphen hit six of his seven shots on his way to 17 points to lead Marist to a 71-53 win over Loyola Saturday evening in the James J. McCann Center. Marist moved to 10-7 overall and 7-1 in the MAAC, while Loyola dropped to 3-13 overall and 2-5 in league play.

Loyola was led by Freddie Stanback's 19 points. Shane James also chipped in 10.

Marist battled into the lead during a seesaw first half that saw six ties and four lead changes. The Red Foxes took their largest lead of the stanza on a layup by senior guard Pierre Monagan to take a 29-23 lead at the 3:51 mark. However, the Greyhounds battled back to knot the affair at 29-29 on a 3-pointer by Freddie Stanback with 2:08 left. Senior Will McClurkin tossed in a layup to make the halftime margin 31-29.

Marist then surged into the lead with a 9-1 run over 5:41 to go up 43-37 with 12:17 to go in the game on a 3-pointer by McClurkin.

After Loyola closed the game to five at 52-47 with 7:29 to go on a 3-pointer by Shane James, the Red Foxes finished the contest with a resounding 19-6 run that featured seven points by Monagan down the stretch.

Senior Will Whittington, the nation's leader in 3-pointers per game scored 14 points on 4-for-11 shooting from the arc. McClurkin tallied 12 points on the evening, as did Carl Hood. Stilphen led the Foxes on the boards with six.

The Red Foxes kept their stranglehold on first place in the MAAC with the win, one game ahead of Rider and Fairfield at 6-2.

Marist shot 49 percent for the game (24-for-49), while Loyola went 41.7 percent (20-for-48) for the game. The Red Foxes shot 45.5 percent (10-for-22) from 3-point range, while Loyola tossed in 42.1 percent (8-for-19). Marist won the free throw battle, connecting on 65 percent (13-for-20), while the Greyhounds went 5-for-10 (50 percent).

Before the game, both schools participated in a pregame memorial ceremony to recognize the passing of Loyola President Father Harold Ridley, S.J. Ridley died suddenly Tuesday night at his home.

Marist will face Iona at home on Friday, January 28th at 7:30 p.m.