Fairfield Basketball: The Rebirth in Real-Time of a MAAC Basketball Power

Vision. Process. People.

In a world inundated with slogans and taglines destined to manifest big changes and quick fixes, Paul Schlickmann, Fairfield University’s Vice President for Athletics, has led the Stags with steady intrepidness grounded in the foundation built on vision, process and people. Simply stated, the 2023-24 season was the most successful in the history of Fairfield University basketball.

“There’s a reason why Fairfield University is having such incredible success,” says Schlickmann, “We’re big picture in every facet we do because we have a great vision for achieving national prominence.”

The women’s program earned a 13-seed in the NCAA Tournament after winning a remarkable 31 games en route to the team’s second MAAC regular season and tournament championship in the last three seasons. For the men’s team, they advanced to the CBI semifinals and the 24-win season was its highest total since the Ed Cooley-led Stags won 25 games in the final year of his tenure during the 2010-11 season. 

“The buildup to the conference championships through the postseason was an amazing stretch for Fairfield University. That gets back to the impact that athletics can have on the exposure of the brand and the ethos of the University and the spirit and pride,” says Schlickmann, “The excitement it created with both programs simultaneously both getting to the postseason was off the charts. I was hearing from alumni all over the country and there were watch parties large and small.”

All in all, both programs combined to play on national television seven times throughout their final four weeks of the season, providing the university sustained national exposure. 

“Throughout our leadership, our president and our board, we believe in athletics as a vehicle to achieve our overarching objective,” says Schlickmann, “Our process places a premium on the student experience. The key is having great people to carry out the vision and the process. We have great presidential leadership, great board leadership and that filters down, in our case, with our coaching faculty.”

For two straight offseasons, Fairfield made slam dunk hires with Carly Thibault-DuDonis joining the Stags in the spring of 2022 to lead the women’s team. After previous head coach Jay Young stepped down just weeks before the opening tip-off, men’s assistant head coach Chris Casey ascended to the interim head coach position before shedding the interim tag in March of this year after leading the Stags to a 23-7 record.

“The common denominator watching both programs this year is consistent, high level positive energy every day by placing a premium on connectivity between staff and player relationships. Both coaches create a consistent progressive growth mindset and develop a selfless sense of unity,” reflects Schlickmann, “When you have that, the by-product of that is competitive success. Both coaching staffs did an incredible job nurturing all those facets of the program, and in large part, that’s why we had the success we did.”

In order to continue to compete in the MAAC, building a winning tradition through excellent leadership goes a long way, but the state-of-the-art Leo D. Mahoney Arena is hands-down the most impressive multi-use space in the conference and is an essential in attracting recruits to campus. The $51 million dollar arena opened in November 2022.

“We worked really hard in the last few years to upgrade and create an infrastructure that is second to none in mid-major basketball,” says Schlickmann, “The shining example is the Leo D. Mahoney Arena. It makes an incredible statement about the University mindset, which is the pursuit of modern excellence and Mahoney is no better example of that.” 

This season, the home court advantage was palpable as the women’s team were undefeated at home and the men won nine of their thirteen games, generating an impact at campus that radiated throughout the entire state of Connecticut. 

“When you combine Mahoney as a venue with great products on the floor, it has created an infusion of campus spirit and pride and created a buzz in the town of Fairfield, especially amongst four thousand alums living in town,” says Schlickmann, “It was fun to see, especially in year two, but it is what we envisioned. We had this idea of trying to create this sense of pride and interest in Fairfield as the hometown team and we saw that unfold this year.”

Despite all of the positive momentum, Fairfield University is taking steps to adapt to the new landscape of collegiate athletics with the launch of Red Sea Rising, an alumni-launched official collective and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) entity to support Fairfield student-athletes. Red Sea Rising will allow businesses, donors and members to support and engage with Fairfield’s student-athletes and can also contribute to a general fund that supports student-athletes across several sports. Of course, the allure of high-major competition and the compensation that might come with these schools might always attract talent away from mid-major schools like Fairfield University, but there is no doubt that Fairfield is on the precipice of becoming a perennial powerhouse in the MAAC. 

“I’m ultimately not surprised by the success we had because I saw the vision, the process, the people and all that coming together on a daily basis,” reflects Schlickmann,” but you’re always pleased to see it evolve at such a high level and have the incredible layers of impact that it has had. When you’re in my chair or in the President’s chair, that's what you strive for.”

Yale Returns to the NCAA Tournament After Nail-Biter Ivy Madness Victory Over Brown

By Joe Budzelek (@stf_ncaa)

For the fourth time in eight seasons, the Yale Bulldogs will be packing their dancing shoes after they defeated Brown 62-to-61 in the thrilling back-and-forth Ivy Madness final on Sunday afternoon at Columbia's Levien Gym.

With a six-point deficit staring in Yale’s face with just 27 seconds remaining, clutch last-minute buckets from a Bez Mbeng lay-up and a John Poulakidas three-pointer, paired with an inability to convert from the charity stripe from Brown’s forwards Nana Owusu-Anane and and Malachi Ndur, set up Yale’s last possession as the deficit narrowed to just one point.

With a foul to give, Brown wing Aaron Cooley stopped the clock with six seconds to go, allowing Yale to set up a last second set-up from Mbeng to senior forward Matt Knowling as his short jumper erupted the team’s end-of-game celebration.

Yale head coach James Jones flanked by senior leaders August Mahoney and Matt Knowling

“Matt’s a special player. He’s a winner,” said Yale head coach James Jones, “You just feel comfortable when he’s got the ball. He’s going to make the right decision.” Finishing the season with, according to Ken Pomeroy, the second highest offensive efficiency rating in the Ivy League, it comes as no surprise that the steady veteran finished the tournament with a combined 23 points (11-for-22 shooting), 12 rebounds and 8 assists and just one turnover. 

Yale junior guard John Poulakidas (#4) getting double-teamed on the perimeter by Brown center Nana Owusu-Anane (#31) and guard Kimo Ferarri (#23)

Scoring only four points in the first half, junior guard John Poulakidas propelled Yale’s second half offensive attack by scoring 11 points in the first ten minutes of the second half, including his clutch three with 14 seconds to go. Senior guard August Mahoney (15 points, 5 rebounds, 3-for-4 from three) was the only other Yale player to convert from the perimeter.

A spent August Mahoney during a post-game, pre-press conference respite.

Yale’s other two starters, Danny Wolf and Bez Mbeng, were both stifled on the offensive end, but made their impact in other ways. Defended tightly by Brown’s frontcourt trio, Wolf finished with only nine points, but secured 13 rebounds and swatted four blocks. Brown entered the game with the highest offensive rebounding rate in the Ivy League and they hit just half of their shot attempts from inside the arc, so Wolf’s ten defensive rebounds were essential in preventing Brown’s second-chance buckets. For example, starting center Nana Owusu-Anane finished with a season-low three points, a full dozen points below his season average. Playing the entire game, Mbeng’s offensive creativity, defensive intensity and overall energy was a spark for the Bulldogs.

Starting the season with a 6-17 record, the Brown Bears entered March Madness as the hottest team in the Ivy League, winning the previous seven games, including an overtime victory over Yale in the regular season finale. Serendipity reprised today’s matchup and Coach Jones had the Bulldogs ready: “To have them go out and execute the things that you preach in practice, I’m like a proud father.”

With only one NCAA Tournament victory to their name, the Yale is faced with a rough draw, playing as the 13-seed against 4-seed Auburn, the SEC champs who are a vastly under-seeded squad after entering the tournament with a 27-7 record and a #3 rating on EvanMiya, #4 rating on KenPom and #5 on BartTovik. One of the deepest teams in the NCAA Tournament, head coach Bruce Pearl regularly plays ten players who average at least thirteen minutes-per-game. 

On offense, the Tigers move the ball beautifully and both of their starting forwards, Johni Broome and Jaylin Williams, lead the offensive charge and can score from anywhere. One weakness of this duo is clear: Broome’s 60.2% free-throw percentage. Their elite defense possesses the lowest opponent field goal percentage in the nation while the squad does a great job eliminating three-point attempts and they protect the paint with ease (third highest block rate in the nation). Yale is at its best when they slow the tempo and that is their best strategy to cool down the Auburn Tigers, who own the nation’s eighth longest current winning streak with six straight victories.

But hey, it’s March. Embrace the Madness!

2024 Ivy Championship Preview: Brown Bears Shock Princeton with Dominating Win

Toughness. 

For the last dozen years, the Mike Martin-led Brown Bears haven’t been known for playing the most aesthetic style of basketball, but their toughness, along with an out-of-this-world team shooting performance, led by junior guard Kino Lilly, propelled the Brown Bears’ unlikely Ivy League Championship semifinals victory over top-seed Princeton, winning 90-to-81, extending their winning streak to seven games. 

The Bears’ effort was led by its pair of All-Ivy talents: First Team All-Ivy Selection Kino Lilly matched a season-high 27 points (6-for-8 from two; 3-7 from three, 6-8 from the line) and dished out a career-high ten assists. Second Team All-Ivy Selection Nana Owusu-Anane stuffed the stat-sheet, scoring 19 points, grabbing a season-high fifteen boards, adding four assists and a pair of steals and blocks. 

The typically smooth-shooting Princeton Tigers converted just a quarter of their 35 three-point attempts, contrasted by Brown’s ultra-efficient 56% from the field with a whopping 73% of their field goals assisted. 

Saving his best game of the season for today, sophomore guard Alexander Lesburt made just his eighth career start, scoring 15 points and most impressively playing a key role in bottling up Princeton star guard Xaivian Lee, who struggled offensively throughout the game and finished with just six points on 2-of-8 shooting, which is his lowest scoring total against D1 opponents this season. An infrequently used bench piece for most of his career, Lesburt has stepped in admirably for senior guard Felix Kloman. 

Starting the season 6-17, no one outside the program expected the Brown Bears to be in this position, but closing out their regular season with a six-game winning streak clinched their opportunity to supplant Harvard, Columbia and Penn as the fourth and final seed in Ivy Madness.

Madness ensued today and on Sunday, Brown will face the Yale, a team that the Bears beat in overtime on Yale's home court last Saturday. The Bears will, once again, be underdogs, but no one can deny that they are the hottest team in the Ivy League.

The Ivy Championship will be played on Sunday at noon at Levien Gymnasium, the home of Columbia University's basketball teams, and be aired on ESPN2.

2024 MAAC Championship Preview - #5 Saint Peter's vs. #2 Fairfield

By Joe Budzelek

(@stf_ncaa)

First, it was Iona’s press. 

Next, Marist’s pressure on the perimeter.

And now, Saint Peter’s turnover-centric, halfcourt toughness is the last idiosyncratic defense that stands as the last roadblock to the Fairfield Stags and their journey to their first MAAC Championship since 1997. 

A late off-season coaching change and early season injuries to portal additions Alexis Yetna and Birima Seck were major factors to Fairfield’s 1-6 start but head coach Chris Casey, whose interim tag was removed earlier this week, has done an impeccable job leading the Stags to a 21-5 record since their slow early-season start.

As shared earlier this week on the College Hoops Chat with Jim Maisano, the Stags’ ability to win in a variety of ways was the main reason why Fairfield was picked to win the MAAC tournament and while statistically, Fairfield plays with the fastest offensive pace in the conference, veteran guards Caleb Fields and Jalen Leach have helped the Stags navigate the slower pace of both tournament wins. 

The Stags have combined to score an uncharacteristically low total of 133 points in their first two tournament games, but Fields and Leach have combined to score 60% of the team’s scoring, further proving that strong guard play is paramount in March. 

This season, Fairfield has won both matchups against Saint Peter’s, but last month’s matchup at the Yanitelli Center was a dangerously close game due to both teams combining to give up 33 turnovers in the glacially-paced game with impressive shooting from both teams. 

A major factor in that game was the absence of Brycen Goodine and the improved health of Alexis Yetna. 

Simply put, between Fields, Leach, Goodine and Jasper Floyd, the Stags boast the deepest herd of guards, which is essential as their poise, handle, vision and shooting helps navigate overpursuing teams like the Peacocks as either guard is capable of breaking out and carrying the offense. 

Making his season debut in early February, grad transfer forward Alexis Yetna has provided the Stags with a major boost in the frontcourt as the Parisian is now finally healthy after missing the previous 23 months recovering from a knee injury. Initially easing his way into playing time, Yetna has now played at least 27 minutes in each of the last three games, averaging 8.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks in that span. One of the few bugaboos for Fairfield is their team rebounding, so Yetna’s strength and nose for the ball under the boards will be key tonight, especially against Saint Peter’s, a team where its best offense sometimes comes from putbacks off missed shot attempts. Just ask Mouhamed Sow, last night’s breakout star whose season-high 16 points finished the game with an exclamation point as his last-second putback secured Saint Peter’s semifinal victory over Quinnipiac. 

With their impeccable guard play, Fairfield enters tonight with a clear advantage as Saint Peter’s halfcourt defense is not as strong when their opponents move the ball effectively and have multiple shooters who can make open shots. When the pace slows down, opportunities will be limited under the basket, so Yetna’s extended range will be essential to opening up space and forcing Saint Peter’s center rotation – as Michael Houge, Mouhamed Sow and Stephon Roberts are all dangerous rim protectors – away from where they are most effective on defense. 

That being said, with an expected slow pace and Saint Peter’s strength under the boards, expect a hard-fought and close game to the finish. 

Northeast Conference Final Preview: #6 Wagner at #1 Merrimack

By Joe Budzelek

(@stf_ncaa)

On Tuesday night at 7 PM, the #1 seed Merrimack Warriors will host the #6 seed Wagner Seahawks for the Northeast Conference Tournament Finals and a chance to dance in the NCAA Tournament.

For years, Lawler Arena has not been kind to visiting opponents -- dating back to February of last year, Merrimack has lost only once on its home court. The team that beat them? 

Wagner. 

On January 19th of this season, Wagner defeated Merrimack 71-to-65 in a win carried on the shoulders of starting guards Javier Ezquerra, Julian Brown and Melvin Council playing all 40 minutes. The Warriors are fifth in the nation in defensive turnover rate, but the Wagner backcourt intrepidly sailed through Merrimack's defense as the trio gave up only two combined turnovers. On the glass, Wagner out-rebounded Merrimack by sixteen and shot efficiently throughout the game. Trailing by nine with ninety seconds remaining in the first half, Wagner played arguably its best half of the season, outscoring the Warriors by thirteen. 

In the season's second matchup, Wagner's glacial pace kept the first half to a close 24-to-21 slog, but Wagner's abysmal 29.6% shooting from inside the arc sparked Merrimack's second half run, outscoring the Seahawks 39-to-19 while Wagner's backcourt was much more mistake-prone, with the above-mentioned trio giving up a combined ten turnovers and shooting a putrid 2-for-10 from inside the arc. 

Entering the championship games with the season series split, Wagner will need to win by playing to their strength -- slowing the pace, hitting the glass and defending the perimeter. The Seahawks won the first matchup thanks to a nearly perfect second half, but they will likely need a more sustained and consistent performance to win on Tuesday.

A major deciding factor -- the health of Jordan Derkack. Injuring a different leg in each of the first two tournament games, the NEC Player of the Year played in all but four minutes in the tournament, but was visibly in pain throughout the semifinal matchup against Le Moyne. Derkack finished the game scoring six points on two-for-nine shooting. It's clear that whatever is ailing him is affecting his shooting form. 

Few come as tougher as Derkack, but he cannot be expected to play on Tuesday anywhere close to one-hundred percent. That being said, expect NEC Rookie of the Year Adam Clark to shoulder more responsibility on offense. In the NEC tournament, Clark has stepped up, scoring a combined 42 points on 14-for-25 shooting, including making 14 of his 16 free throw attempts. 

Tuesday night is anybody's guess, but the final includes two of the conference's toughest and most physical teams. 

Thoughts Across Wednesday's Night's NEC Tournament Opening Round

FDU at Le Moyne

The regular season series is split with FDU winning the last matchup just two weeks ago and in that game, Ocypher Owens was out, which was a major factor in Ansley Almoner’s 30-point clubbing of the Dolphins. With Owens back healthy, Le Moyne’s frontcourt is at full strength and the team has a plethora of options who can navigate FDU’s press, as the Dolphins rank first in the NEC in A/FGM ratio (60.1%) and third in turnover percentage (16.7%). I also expect Le Moyne star wing Kaiyem Cleary to continue to get his against FDU, as the senior has scored 41 points combined in both matchups. My pick: Le Moyne

Wagner at Sacred Heart

Fresh off their exhilarating 89-85 victory over Merrimack, the Sacred Heart Pioneers have now won four of their last five games. Injury issues to 6’7 Brendan McGuire and 6’8 Raymond Espinal-Guzman is concerning as Wagner sophomore big Keyontae Lewis has scored in double-digits in five of his last six games. It makes you question whether Wagner head coach Donald Copeland will pound it inside to force pressure in Alex Sobel to get him in foul trouble, forcing SHU head coach Anthony Latina to play more small-ball with Nico Galette at the 5, which plays to Wagner’s offensive rebounding advantage. That being said, Wagner wants to keep this game at a glacial pace, but Sacred Heart has the playmakers to push the tempo and shooters to convert when Wagner slows it down to the halfcourt. I expect this matchup to be the closest game of the evening. My pick: Sacred Heart

Saint Francis at Central Connecticut State:

It’s rare to find a #1 vs #8 opening game where the underdog has almost gotten the most recent win, but that’s the case with CCSU beating Saint Francis 63-to-62 back on February 1st. In that game, the Red Flash forced an uncharacteristic fifteen Blue Devils turnovers, including a combined nine from Jordan Jones and Kellen Amos. That performance was inexcusable and expect Patrick Sellers to have his team ready to dominate early. My pick: CCSU

LIU at Merrimack:

Back in early February, LIU almost shocked the Merrimack Warriors in a sloppy overtime tilt with both teams combining for 42 turnovers, 58 fouls and an ice cold 57% from the charity stripe. Winning ten straight prior to their regular season finale loss to Sacred Heart, expect the Warriors’ defense to be laser focused and taking advantage of LIU’s mistake-prone offense. My pick: Merrimack 

Previewing Sacred Heart's Potential Matchups as the Pioneers Vie For First NEC Tournament Crown

By Joe Budzelek

(@stf_ncaa)

Winners of the previous ten matchups, Merrimack entered this past weekend as the favored team to win the Northeast Conference tournament, but after Sacred Heart finished the regular season with a confident and gritty 89-to-85 win against the Warriors, the Pioneers' confidence is at a season-high as they are vying for their first, and final Northeast Conference Tournament Championship after moving next season to the MAAC. 

"We kinda got punked last game [against Merrimack] so we had to make sure we came out with a different mindset," said Sacred Heart senior guard Kyle McGee after Saturday's win, "We matched the physicality and picked it up to another level."

That physicality and intensity was clear as the Pioneers forced two more turnovers than the Warriors, a feat that is exceptional considering that Merrimack currently is ranked 5th nationally in KenPom defensive turnover percentage. Sacred Heart was also able to capitalize against Merrimack's typically weakness on the glass, with the Pioneers out-rebounding the Warriors by nine. 

Not only did the Pioneers step it up physically, but their veteran focus and poise helped Sacred Heart sail through the dangerous Merrimack defense relatively unscathed. "We've got great coaches," added McGee, “We went over the scout to find and attack the gaps in their zone and try to get them to play man."

McGee was one of the three Pioneers to dish four or more assists alongside the Sacred Heart frontcourt of Alex Sobel and Nico Galette as the duo were able to provide the low-post skill on the baseline that is typically the kryptonite of Joe Gallo's zone. Case in point, last season, I was at FDU when Ansley Almonor had his breakout 25 point performance in the Knights' comeback win. Back to Saturday's game, Galette and Sobel combined for 42 points and 9 assists.

Speaking of breakout performances, Sacred Heart fifth-year senior Raheem Solomon finished the game tying a career high of 26 points, thanks to an incredibly efficient 10-for-13 shooting from the field. Scoring double-digits in each of his last four games, Sacred Heart will look to ride his hot streak entering this week's tournament. 

Broadening the focus to the tournament full field, Sacred Heart will host Wagner on Wednesday, after defeating the Seahawks in both matchups so this season. In both games, the Seahawks failed to surpass 61 points scored while their lack of size had trouble containing Alex Sobel inside, with the grad transfer shooting a combined 11-for-15 (78%) in both games. In general, Wagner is much more responsible defending the perimeter than the paint, so it did not surprise that the Pioneers won by a greater margin in the season's second matchup against Wagner with both Sobel and Galette healthy.

Losing 8 of their last 12, Wagner are the clear underdogs Wednesday as the Pioneers are looking to reprise their Saturday night matchup with Merrimack in the semifinals, and if that holds true, the biggest adjustment Merrimack will need to make is to fine tune their defensive assignments to bottle up Sacred Heart's free flowing offense from Saturday.

Should the Pioneers advance to the final, their odds-on opponent is intrastate rival Central Connecticut State, who beat Sacred Heart in both of their February matchups. 

In both games, CCSU's slashers Allan Jeanne-Rose, Kellen Amos and Jordan Jones rim-attacking put defensive pressure on Sobel and Galette and put themselves in foul trouble. In the first matchup, Galette fouled out late while Sobel fouled out in both games, which was especially key in the second matchup of the season as the Blue Devils hit five free throws off four second half Alex Sobel fouls in the back-and-forth one-point Blue Devil victory.

Back in June, I prognosticated the potential of the NEC title being decided between one of the conference's two Nutmeg State programs and now in early March, there's a solid chance both teams will meet in Hard Hittin' New Britain on Tuesday, March 12. 

2-16-24 Recap: Niagara Narrowly Escapes Fairfield's End Game Prayer

 by Joe Budzelek
(@stf_ncaa)

In tonight’s battle for sole possession of second place in the MAAC, the Niagara Purple Eagles completed the regular season sweep of the Fairfield Stags, winning 65-to-63 at Leo D. Mahoney Arena in Fairfield, CT on Friday Night. Similar to their first victory over the Stags, Niagara’s victory was a balanced attack with all five starters finishing in double-digits, led by freshman sensation Ahmad Henderson II’s fifteen points and sophomore Harlan Obioha’s fifth double-double of the season.

Winning six of their last eight games since their 96-to-72 shellacking by Niagara at the Gallagher Center, the Stags entered tonight with a major boost from freshman center Peyton Smith (ankle) and senior shooter Brycen Goodine (knee) returning after multi-game absences. However, the pair’s rust was still present as the pair combined for one point and four turnovers. 

After hitting 62% of their shot attempts in the first matchup against Fairfield, Niagara's hot shooting against Fairfield continued in the first half, hitting nearly 70% of their shots across the game’s opening twelve minutes. In the middle of the half, a seven-minute-long Niagara 13-to-1 run was capitalized by a thunderous Dre Bullock dunk.

Fairfield’s quartet of talented guards were held to an uncharacteristic start, scoring a total of ten points in the first half and were a main contributor to the Stags shooting woes as the team made just one-third of their inside-the-arc shot attempts in the first half. While the guards struggled, Fairfield’s frontcourt helped hold Niagara’s halftime lead to six as Alexis Yetna and James Johns Jr. combined to score nineteen points by halftime, highlighted by an end-of-half layup from Yetna after reining in a cross-court Hail Mary pass from Jasper Floyd.

In the second half, the script flipped as Yetna and Johns Jr. combined to score just three points, while the Stags’ starting backcourt of Caleb Fields, Jasper Floyd and Jalen Leach scored a total of 29 points. After missing all five of his shot attempts in the first half, Caleb Fields opened the second half swishing a corner three, igniting the Stags’ opening five point run. Fields saved his best play for the final six minutes, scoring ten points throughout that span. 

Despite the Stags’ defensive improve in the second half and Fields’ valiant late-game effort, the fifth-year senior was unable to hit the game-winning three as time expired. Niagara's win tonight continued the Purple Eagles' perfect road record in MAAC conference play.

On Sunday, Fairfield will host Mount St. Mary’s (11-14 overall, 7-7 in MAAC play) on Sunday while Niagara will continue their Connecticut road trip as they visit the first place Quinnipiac Bobcats. 

2-10-24 Recap: After Defeating Cornell, Yale Stands Alone Atop the Ivy

 by Joe Budzelek
(@stf_ncaa)

Both Cornell and Yale entered Saturday's tilt undefeated in Ivy conference play, but thanks to a game-winning bank shot from senior forward Matt Knowling, the Bulldogs are now atop the Ivy League standings after defeating the Cornell Big Red 80-78 in front of a lively crowd at John J. Lee Amphitheater.

In the game's opening ten-minutes, a hot start from Yale star sophomore center Danny Wolf (25 points, 10 rebounds) kept the game close, scoring half of the team's opening twenty points, but Cornell's press, combined with aggressive interior defense, made it difficult for Yale to keep consistent on the offensive end.

Near the midpoint of the first half, seven straight points from Cornell senior Chris Manon set off a 14-to-4 run for the Big Red, ballooning Cornell's led to fifteen points with five minutes remaining in the first. 

By the end of the first half, slowly, but surely, Yale started to get more comfortable navigating Cornell's press, which opened up interior opportunities for August Mahoney, Nick Townsend and Bez Mbeng to attack the rim.

Yale senior captain August Mahoney was essential in Yale's second-half comeback. With over two-thirds of his season's shot attempts from the perimeter, today, all of Mahoney's points were from inside the arc as his four two-pointers made matched a career high. 

It was a game of bookends for Danny Wolf as Yale's leading scorer started hot and went coast-to-coast scoring on the game-tying drive (pictured below) with only four minutes remaining. It's no surprise why NBA scouts salivate at his pro potential. With a mature offensive game oozing with savvy, intelligence, positionally strong handle and a deep bag of tricks, Wolf's scoring versatility was on full display converting points from jumpers, floaters, post-scores from both hands, drives and bank shots. 

Quiet in the first half, Yale's junior point guard Bez Mbeng heated up in the second half as his frenetic energy (three steals in the second half) and distribution creativity (three assists in the second half) helped fuel his mounting confidence throughout the game. 

Inbounding the ball with just four seconds remaining, Mbeng made the assist of the game, seeing through Cornell's trying defense to spot a cutting Matt Knowling, who hit a go-ahead, and-one ten-foot bank shot and converting at the charity stripe. Following that make, Cornell quickly worked their way up the floor, but Mbeng tightly contested a failed three-point attempt by Cornell guard Nazir Williams.

Following the final buzzer, the jubilant crowd set ablaze as the typically calm Yale head coach James Jones joined the student section to celebrate the Bulldogs' biggest victory of the season. 

Yale's win grows their winning streak to nine games, good for a four-way tie for the third longest active wining streak in the nation. A game to remember, the Ivy's elite will matchup again in Ithaca on Friday, February 23rd, which looks to spotlight as the nation's top game that evening. 

2-4-24 Recap: Greg Gordon's Star Continues to Rise in Iona's Victory over Rider

 by Joe Budzelek
(@stf_ncaa)

With the undeniable coaching ability of Tobin Anderson and the depth of talent on Iona's roster, it was only a matter of time before the Gaels -- whose roster is built up entirely of players who never played together until this season -- made an impact as one of the top squads in the MAAC.

After Sunday's 94-to-93 win to Rider, the Gaels are winners of five of their last six and are now in sole possession of fifth place in the MAAC standings, a pivotal standing to build from with the conference tournament only six weeks away and the top-five seeds earning automatic spots in the quarterfinals. 

With the former leading scorer Idan Tretout missing the last three games with a leg injury, junior guard Greg Gordon stepped up yet again today, scoring 28 points (7-11 from the charity stripe) to go along with six rebounds (all offensive), five assists (a career high), two steals and no turnovers, a finish that has now helped Gordon take lead as the team's top scorer.

A productive player for most of the season, Gordon's play and production has skyrocketed over the last seven games, averaging 21 points-per-game. Quickly gaining notoriety as a high-motor small-ball power forward, Gordon's growing creativity off the dribble was on full display today, especially in the defensive pressure he forced upon Rider's star forward Mervin James, who fouled out early in the second half.

Freshman Jeremiah Quigley (17 points, 7 assists, 11-16 from the line) also continued has exceptional play starting at the point guard position in place of the injured Tretout, where Quigley has looked more confident in each game, both in his ability to facilitate in the half-court and create his own offense off the dribble, scoring a total of 58 points across the last three games. Particularly later in the second half, Quigley's creativity on the floor and poise on the free-throw line has ascended Quigley as one of the more dangerous closers in the conference.

Fellow freshman Alex Bates also has stepped up earning regular playing time during Tretout's absence. Late in the first half, Bates scored two quick backdoor cut buckets immediately off out-of-bounds plays while his gritty defense pestered the Broncs, earning Bates a steal and a block apiece. 

Iona's fifth-year seniors were instrumental in today's game. Playing a season-high 28 minutes, Osborn Shema scored seventeen points, tied a season-high of three assists and snared a pair of blocks and steals while Joel Brown dished four assists and grabbed two steals in his signature hard-nosed defense. Hitting six threes, Wheza Panzo continued to show why he is one of, if not the best floor spacer in the MAAC.

Leading by as much as 24 points in the second half, Rider freshman DJ Dudley fueled the Broncs' comeback by scoring sixteen points in the game's final eight minutes, but the Gaels were able to hold on to the victory, finishing with the team's first winning record of the season. 

MAAC's Most Valuable Walk-Ons

By Joe Budzelek

- @stf_ncaa

Throughout the college basketball landscape, walk-ons are typically practice darlings, who, at the end-of-the-bench, are cajoled into the game once the home team is up by enough to warrant a minute or two of game-time, with the crowd erupting if or when the player scores or makes a big defensive play.

However, a handful of MAAC teams have relied on walk-ons to provide valuable depth minutes, or even in some cases, regular starting roles. We’ll celebrate the MAAC’s Most Valuable Walk-Ons today:

Jaden Winston - Manhattan - freshman point guard 

Starting every game for the Jaspers in his freshman year, Jaden Winston has immediately asserted himself as a core building block in head coach John Gallagher’s rebuilding of the program in his first season at the helm.

“[Jaden will] be the starting point guard here for years to come,” shared Gallagher, “He’s really grown every game.” Case in point, since the start of December, Winston has made strides in his steal rate (2.8 steals-per-game) and three-point shot (35 3P%), which has broadened his growth as a long-term two-way threat for the Jaspers.

“Of all the freshman point guards I’ve [coached], he has the ability to lead us earlier than all of them,” added Gallagher, “He understands who has the hot hand, and for a freshman, he does not shy away from the big spot.”

With senior scorer Briggs McClain needing time to get healthy at the beginning of the season, redshirt sophomore Brett Rumpel out for the year (knee) and grad transfer guard DaJuan Clayton still ineligible to play, Winston’s immediate impact has been even more valuable as Manhattan’s backcourt depth has been tested throughout the season. 

Killian Gribben - Siena - sophomore forward

Few teams have as little frontcourt depth as Siena, so despite the Saints’ struggles, sophomore Killian Gribben has clearly shown why he is a long-term building block for the program.

At 6’10 215, Gribben’s physical package and versatility has earned him playing time in place of and alongside starting center Giovanni Emejuru. A fear-inducing rim protector, Gribben currently possesses the fifth-highest block rate in the conference while also bringing an efficient offensive game thanks to his ability to score from all three levels. 

Only a sophomore, Gribben’s game, particularly under the boards, will continue to grow as he builds strength, but it is not just circumstance that has earned Gribben his starting role, he’s one of the more talented forwards in the conference. 

Jack Brown - Fairfield - senior forward

Fairfield has surprised many by asserting themselves as a current MAAC favorite and players like Jack Brown exemplify the selfless and gritty mentality that all championship teams need. 

Playing “typical walk-on minutes” throughout his first three seasons at Fairfield, Brown has been an essential depth forward as Alexis Yetna, Birima Seck, Louis Bleechmore and Michael Rogan have all missed time this season. 

The 6’6 200 Brown plays bigger than his listed measureables and has even spent time as new head coach Chris Casey’s small-ball five. A gritty defender and strong defensive rebounder, Brown’s playing time will fade once Alexis Yetna makes his much anticipated return, but Brown is a trusted veteran who has helped the Stags in so many ways. 

Anthony McCall - Rider - sophomore guard

Speaking of players who play bigger than their listed measurements, Rider’s 6’4 191 sophomore Anthony McCall certainly fits that bill. 

Predominantly playing the 4-guard spot either spelling Rider star Mervin James or alongside James in a small-ball lineup, McCall is one of Rider’s bright spots on defense on a program that has struggled with defensive consistency this year. 

Pound-for-pound McCall is also one of, if not, the best rebounders in the MAAC, averaging ten rebounds per 40 minutes played and also swipes 2.4 steals in that same clip. A versatile glue guy, McCall is efficient at scoring inside the arc, shooting a team-high 53.0 2P%.

Mason Courtney - Siena - sophomore combo guard

Michael Eley. Sean Durugordon. Zek Tekin. 

Few teams in the MAAC have taken hit after hit with injury issues in the backcourt and sophomore Mason Courtney has stepped up and filled in whenever needed. 

Playing an unselfish game, Courtney is a capable rebounder on the defensive end and plays with a team-first approach when paired in the backcourt whenever Siena’s more capable guards have been healthy. 

Growing up just a stone’s throw from Albany, expect Courtney to remain a valuable guard piece throughout his time at Siena.