March 4, 2011
Box Score | Video: Post-Game Press Conference
BRIDGEPORT,CONN. - The ninth-seeded Marist men's basketball team has advanced to the 2011 Spark Energy Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Basketball Championship with a 73-61 triumph over eighth-seeded Niagara in the tournament's opening round on Friday. The Red Foxes were led by freshman swingman Jay Bowie (Tampa, Fla.), who had team highs in points (13) and rebounds (eight).
Sophomore guard Candon Rusin (Surf City, N.C.) added 12 points, as he shot an efficient 4-for-8 from the field, 2-for-4 from three-point range and 2-for-2 from the free-throw line. Red-shirt sophomore swingman Menelik Watson (Manchester, England) added nine points apiece. The 12-point margin of victory was Marist's largest of the season.
A three by Rusin 55 seconds into the game opening the scoring, and Marist jumped out to a 5-0 lead. After Niagara tied the game twice, the Red Foxes jumped out to an 18-9 lead, but the Purple Eagles went on a 9-0 run to tie the game. However, a layup by Rusin at the 3:52 mark of the first half started the Red Foxes on an 8-0 run, as they took the lead for good. Marist held a 29-26 halftime lead.
After Niagara opened the second-half scoring on a dunk by Eric Williams, the Red Foxes went on a 6-0 run over the next 1:12 to go up by seven. After a layup by Niagara's Anthony Nelson cut Marist's lead to 35-30, Rusin answered with a three on the next possession to give the Red Foxes a 38-30 lead with 17:21 to go. Marist never led by less than seven the rest of the way, and led by as much as 13.
After shooting just .345 (10-for-29) in the first half, Marist put the game away by shooting .586 (17-for-29) in the second half and .500 (4-for-8) from three-point range. Marist held Niagara to .321 (18-for-56) shooting from the field and .222 (4-for-18) shooting from three-point range.
Niagara was led by senior point guard Anthony Nelson, who had 28 points. Nelson was the only Purple Eagle to score in double digits.
Marist improved to 6-26 overall; Niagara's season concluded at 9-23.
Marist will move on to play top-seeded Fairfield on Saturday in the quarterfinal round. Tip-off is set for 4:30 p.m. The game will air on MSG2, and can also be seen on ESPN3.com.
