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.