Early Scare but Foxes Advance

Early in the second half of the Red Foxes opening round game against Depaul, Marist found themselves in a bit of a hole. Right before the second half's first media timeout, Marist was down 11 and Depaul was looking like they were going to pull off an upset. It's crazy how if Marist lost last night they would have been upset, seeing that a year ago Marist's first round win over Ohio State was the biggest story in both the Men's and Women's tournament that weekend. However Rachele Fitz hit a layup and was fouled as Marist went to the bench with just under 16 minutes remaining, now down 9. Fitz's free-throw out of the timeout cut it to 8 and the run began for the Foxes. I don't think I was alone when I knew Marist was never out of this game. We know how fast this team can put up points and something told me they weren't leaving Louisiana so soon this year. After struggling in the first half Marist shot an impressive 57.7% from the field in the second half and pulled away. They closed on a 19-0 run and held Depaul to 0-14 fg's. Unreal how they trailed by double digits early in the second half and then decided to end Depaul's hopes at advancing by going on a 32-2 run. I don't know if I've ever watched a basketball game where there has been such a dominating run. Fitz led the way for the Foxes with 23 points and five boards but it was the big shots from Julianne Viani that sparked Marist to take over this ball game. The win was Marist's 22nd in a row and it earned them a second round matchup against LSU. Not only do they face a #2 seed but it will also be a home game for the Lady Tigers with the game being played at LSU. Tip time is 7pm on Monday night and will be televised on ESPN2.

Closing it Out

Flores and fellow seniors aknoweldged for 4
outstanding years of collegiate athletics

Julianne Viani watched from the benchas Nikki Flores and the seniors were saluted for what was to be a historical night for the Marist Basketball program. On Senior Night at the McCann Center, Alexis Waters, Nikki Flores, Meg Dahlman, Sara Smrdel and Courtney Kolesar were all honored for their efforts in their collegiate carears. They also took care of business on the court as a
hard fought game that was close almost for the full 40 minutes ended up being a final victory to the most impressive regualr season Marist or the MAAC has ever seen. I think going into the game, Marist was the most worried they had been all season going into a conference game. St. Peters had just played them well in at their place, Julianne Viani was out, and the pressure was really on knowing they were one win away. And to anyone who viewed the game or heard it on the radio, it was obvious from the first few minutes it was going to be a close one. Marist actually found themselves trailing a couple of times within the final ten minutes as the lead continued to switch hands. But as the saying goes, bad teams find ways to lose games and good teams find ways to always win. I think that fits pretty well for this team. With them, no matter how close it is, you always have that feeling they are going to pull it out. They did just that holding on and grinding out a 71-58 win beating St. Peters by 13 in both outings this week. Have to credit the Peahens as the game was closer than the score showed it to be. The Peahens really played the Red Foxes well and could be a big challenge for them come tournament time. While Marist is the obvious #1 seed in the tourney, St.Peters will be the #3 seed. Make sure to head up to the Times Union Center at Siena College this weekend to support Marist in the 2008 MAAC Tournament.

Congratulations to the team and especially the seniors. Marist finished the entire regular season with only two loses (28-2) and was undefeated in the MAAC. With the win Saturday night, the Marist seniors girls record at Marist is an impressive 102-22.

One Left

I remember at the beginning of the season a reader asked me not to worry about Marist reaching the NCAA tournament but instead set a season goal at going undefeated in the MAAC. Well folks the ladies are one win away from going undefeated in the MAAC this season. Their regular season concludes this Saturday evening at 7:30pm against St. Peters. It will be their final game and obviously their final home game of the season. They will then go on to the MAAC tournament which will be played in Albany. Their coming off a win over St. Peters on Wednesday night where they knocked off the Peahen's 70-57 in their first meeting of the season. The back end of the home and home will be played at the McCann Center Saturday night. Wednesday night who else but Rachael Fitz had 24 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Red Foxes who were without Julianne Viani for the first time all season. Freshman Elise Caron got the start in her place.
The win over St. Peters was Marist's 17th straight win which is also a program-record. Looking at the rankings they are currently ranked 25 in the nation in the AP poll and 21st in the ESPN/USA Today Poll.
Saturday night Marist looks to extend the winning streak to 18 and finish out the season unbeaten in conference.
The game can be heard on www.maristradio.net. or Goredfoxes.com

Receiving Significant Attention

At the moment Marist finds themself in the middle of a 13-game winning streak. Still undefeated in the MAAC Conference, Marist has yet to lose since their loss to Hartford in the beginning of December. Now sitting at 23-2 overall and 13-0 in the MAAC, Marist is just flat our rolling. Here is a quick idea of what they have done lately. They have won their last five games by an average of 24.4 points. Over that stretch Julianne Viani has hit 19 threes including two different games where she had six in each. Rachele Fitz is averaging 23 points per game (MAAC player of the week) and Marist has jumped into ESPN's top 25 poll be acknowledged as the 25th best women's team in the nation. Throughout the season the ladies have been hovering around the 27th and 28th rankings, but not once have cracked the top 25. They got very close in Decemeber but they're loss at home to Hartford sent them back a couple of steps. I feel that if Marist beats Hartford that night they crack the top 25 before 2008 rolls around and by now, they are top 20 in the nation. Beggars can't be choosers however and I am very pleased that Marist is now top 25. It was pretty cool watching ESPN this morning and when tonight's Marist Niagara game popped up on the bottom line, there was the number 25 sitting next to our school's name. It is pretty cool and the ladies deserve it.
Check in with the Red Foxes tonight as they host the Niagara Purple Eagles at 7:30pm in the McCann Center.
The game can be heard on GoRedFoxes.com. Geoff Brault with the call. It can also be heard on www.maristradio.net. Mike Rolek will have the call there.

House was Packed

Well congratulations to the team, coach Brian Giorgis, the Marist Athletic Department, Mike Ferraro and also the students of Marist and the city of Poughkeepsie. Friday night when Marist wanted to "pack the house" for a home contest against Siena, they did just that. For the first time in Marist Women's Basketball history, McCann was sold out (3,200 strong) and the women could show off to everyone how good they really are. Wait a minute, I think that is the problem right there. The team is so good that against all MAAC opponents (especially at home) that the game is over by halftime. Therefore if a blowout is expected, this may turn fans away. Regardless, Friday night was a special night in McCann as the house was packed and Marist pummeled Siena by thirty, 78-48. They followed up that performance with another win at home on Sunday. I have to congratulate Loyola in this game for keeping the game close through the first half. After Marist went on a 12-2 start to open the game, Loyola closed the gap to seven at halftime. They eventually went on to lose 85-59 in front of 2,128 fans. Here are some notables for the past two Marist wins:

VS. Siena

• Marist holds Siena to 29.5% field goal percentage for the game


• Marist shoots 12-22 from three-point range


• High scorer: Julianne Viani (18pts, 4-6 3-point fg)

VS. Loyola

• Marist holds Loyola to 31% field goal percentage for the game


• Rachele Fitz scores 26 points and hauls in 10 rebounds


• Julianne Viani goes 4-6 from 3-point range again and scores 19

Tonight at 7:30pm the ladies will host Rider @ The McCann Center and try and beat the women after the mens team was beaten by Rider Wednesday night at McCann.

Rider (6-14, 1-8 MAAC) * Last in MAAC

Marist (19-2, 9-0 MAAC) * First in MAAC

Listen:

• WMAR http://www.maristradio.net/. Ryan Schneider and Mike Rolek with the call


• http://www.goredfoxes.com/ Geoff Brault and (myself) Dustin Aglietti with the call

Pack the House

Current Status: (17-2, 7-0 MAAC)
National Rank : 29th in ESPN/USA Today's Coaches Poll
Last Game: Defeated Canisius 93-66

This Friday Marist will look to improve to 8-0 in the MAAC and 18-2 overall as they host Siena at 7:30 in McCann. The theme of Friday night's game, "Pack the House." Marist along with the rest of the NCAA is trying this new campaign to try and get more student fans to attend women's sporting events. This Friday's game is Marist's day to pack the house as the MAAC was one of the first conferences to commit to the idea. The idea is simple, one team from each of the 31 conferences and then one independent team will be selected as the winner. However the best attendance does not gaurantee that your school "packed the house" the best. The results will be based on creative marketing strategies but also the biggest increase from the previous years single game attendance record. Right now that stands at 2,229 which was set last year against Canisius on February 9th.

Marist's student section or "The Marist Sixth Man" is capable of holding its fair share of students. Located behind the far basket, the section holds an impressive 680 fans and really provides a home-court advantage for the Red Foxes. At the game the first 1,000 fans will receive a commemorative Sweet 16 t-shirt courtesy of Verizon Wireless. The Red Foxes have been dominate so far this season and this is a great chance to come out and watch them play. It should be a good game and the house should be rocking and obviously packed. The game again is the Friday, January 25th at 7:30pm.

Another Streak

Today at 4pm at the McCann Center the Lady Red Foxes will host Canisius for their seventh in-conference game. Marist is now in the part of their schedule where they are only playing conference opponents the rest of the way. Going into this Martin Luther King Jr. Day game Marist is currently undefeated in the MAAC winning all six of their games. This doesn't come as much of surprise for most people I would think as this team we know was picked to win the MAAC. But my feeling is it doesn't matter what people expect you to do, if you go out and do impressive things, your playing extremely well. Its like the New England Patriots. A few weeks into this past NFL season the Pats were undefeated and the talk of a perfect season started up. Weeks later when they finished 16-0, people didn't make less of their NFL record because it was expected, they still had to go out and do it, and for that it was incredibly impressive (for the record I am not a Pats fan at all). That in a way is the same for this Marist squad. They are expected to win the MAAC and also predicted by many to go undefeated in the MAAC. If this holds true they would be 18-0 in the MAAC and 28-2 overall. I bet those of you who thought they would go undefeated in the MAAC didn't think their record would have to look something like that. So there is my point, sure Brian Giorgis' can do what many expect, but still it is unbelievably impressive.

Since their loss on December 12th to Hartford, Marist has done all they could to prove that their first home loss in 26 games was no fluke. Since the loss they have rattled off six straight wins with all but one of those wins coming on the road. Standing tall at first place in the MAAC with a 6-0 record, they still have to continue winning in the conference. As they look in their rear view mirror, Manhattan is only one game behind them with a 5-1 in-conference record. It may take close to perfection to make sure they finish at the top of the conference, but let the challenge be out on the table. As I said in one of my first blogs, their is no limit to what this team can accomplish this year. Hopefully I will see you all at McCann for todays game.