MAAC Celebrates Record Four Men's Basketball Teams in Postseason Play
MAAC Sports
In the 2010-2011 MAAC men's basketball this past season, four teams earned a spot in a postseason tournament, the most teams playing extra games in league history. Here is a look back at how the four did in March:
NCAA Championship
Saint Peter's, the 2011 MAAC Champion, was the 14th seed in the Southwest Region and paired with third-seeded Purdue University in the second round of the 2011 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship. E'Twaun Moore had 19 points, overcoming seven turnovers, and JaJuan Johnson had 16 points and 16 rebounds, despite shooting just 6-for-16, as Purdue jumped out early and defeated Saint Peter's 65-43 in the Southwest Region. Senior forward Jeron Belin scored a team-high 12 points off the bench for the Peacocks. Senior forward Ryan Bacon recorded eight points, four rebounds and three steals. Senior guard Wesley Jenkins also netted eight points in his final game for Saint Peter's.
National Invitation Tournament
Fairfield, the 2010-2011 MAAC regular season champion, represented the MAAC in the 2011 Postseason NIT. In the first round, senior forward Yorel Hawkins scored 17 points and Fairfield's defense shut down Colorado State in a 62-60 victory, which was seen on ESPN3.com. Junior forward Ryan Olander added 12 points and 10 rebounds for Fairfield. The Stags forced 20 turnovers, but had their string of consecutive games holding opponents under 60 points snapped at 41. Sophomore guard Derek Needham finished with 10 points, six assists and two steals for the Stags.
Fairfield then hosted Kent State in the second round, with the Stags falling to the Golden Flashes, 72-68. The matchup was televised on ESPNU. Needham scored 20 points, with 18 of them coming in the first half. Olander added 15 points, and Hawkins had 11 points and nine rebounds for the Stags (25-8), who finished with a school record for wins in a season.
CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament
Iona, who played in the title game of the 2011 Spark Energy MAAC Men's Basketball Championship, was selected to play in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament. Iona earned an 85-77 win over Valparaiso in the first round of the tournament. Junior forward Mike Glover, who was named the Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week in December, posted his 19th double-double of the season with a team-best 17 points and 11 rebounds. Junior guard Trinity Fields sparked the Gaels off the bench with a career-high 16 points. Senior guard Rashon Dwight and freshman guard Sean Armand added 14 points apiece.
The Maroon and Gold earned a bye and advanced to the quarterfinals, hosting Buffalo for a contest at the Hynes Athletics Center. Junior guard Jermel Jenkins had seven of Iona's 11 3-pointers and finished with a team-high 23 points in the Gaels' 78-63 win over Buffalo. Jenkins was 3-of-5 from beyond the arc in the first half as Iona took a 41-36 lead into the break. He was 4-of-6 from long range over the final 20 minutes to help the Gaels (24-11) win for the 11th time in 12 games. Armand sank three 3-pointers and finished with 11 points. Dwight chipped in with 10.
Mike Glover scored 33 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as Iona beat East Tennessee State, 83-80, in the semifinals. It was the first time that season that the Gaels had won after trailing at halftime, losing all seven previous games. The Gaels rallied for the victory by shooting 65.4 percent (17-of-26) in the second half. Armand finished with 20 points for Iona.
The Gaels hosted Santa Clara for the championship final at the Hynes Athletics Center, which was featured on Fox College Sports. The Broncos were victorious in the title game, defeating their host, 76-69. Glover contributed 22 points, 12 rebounds, three blocks and a steal. Machado recorded 12 points, seven assists and three steals. Glover and Machado were both named to the All-Tournament Team.
Rider, who finished tied for second in the MAAC regular season, also claimed a slot in the CIT. The Broncs, with just eight players dressed to play, lost its lone game in the tournament, 84-50, at Northern Iowa. Junior Brandon Penn scored a game-high 18 points and added four rebounds. Senior guard Justin Robinson scored 12 points, finishing his college career with 1,480, the 10th highest in the history of Rider men's basketball.