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Saturday, December 30, 2006
The Crusaders' win over Delaware chronicled as it went down this afternoon in Philly.
Day three of the LaSalle Invitational brings an early start for the Crusaders of Holy Cross, who will bus back to Worcester after the game. It's the first time in the three days of the round robin event that the host LaSalle Explorers are not playing in the first game of the day.
This has not been a good weekend for LaSalle, which has dropped each of its first two game. It had been a very good weekend for Delaware, which came in without a win and is now riding a two-game win streak.
The key for the Blue Hens has been shooting. Delaware shot 51.9 percent in the win over Niagara and hit 55 percent of its shots in the first half against LaSalle, building a 12-point halftime lead that was enough cushion for the Hens to hold on for a 58-56 win.
Defense has not been too shabby either. The Hens held both Niagara and LaSalle in the 50s.
Look for Holy Cross to try to establish Tim Clifford down low early in this one. After leading the Crusaders in scoring in the two games prior to the Philly trip, Clifford has been lost in the shuffle here. Given Delaware's lack of size, this would be a good spot for him to get back on track.
Delaware starts two freshmen and a sophomore. No starter is taller than 6-7 since 6-8 junior Henry Olawoye lost his spot in the starting five prior to the Niagara game. Beyond Olawoye, there is not much size on the Hens bench. Matt Hewson,a 7-3 sophomore has left the team and is transferring, 6-10 Raphael Madera is suspended indefinitely.
The Crusaders, for the first time in the three games here, are the home team and will be wearing their white uniforms. They are still occupying the bench at the south end of Tom Gola Arena.
Tip off right around the corner.
We're stuck in between two radio crews here on press row. To the left is Delaware's commercial station, to the right their student station. It's not Hell, but it is close.
Alex Vander Baan the man offensively early for HC, he has the team's first two baskets. Delaware turned it over their first two looks at HC's 2-3.
Clifford inside makes it 6-0 HC early. At the other end, Delaware travels, making it three turnovers and two missed shots on the Hens' first four possessions.
Vander Baan with his third bucket, it's 8-0 HC with 16:04 to go in the first half.
Worcester is five hours away, Newark, Del. just down the road from Phily, but the HC fans outnumber the Hens followers by at least 2 to 1 here.
Delaware gets on the board after the first TV timeout, a quick 5-0 spurt, which brings a 30 second timeout from Ralph Willard. The Hens are trying full court pressure.
A sloppy pass at the top of the key by Clifford leads to a Delaware steal and a layin at the other end, cutting the HC lead to 8-7.
Adam May off the bench early for HC. Along with Eric Meister. May gives Keith Simmons a rest, Meister in for Vander Baan. Greg McCarthy follows, spelling Clifford.
Delaware's Herb Courtney giving HC trouble inside. The 6-7 junior has 6 of Delaware's 9 points, all from within two feet of the basket,
With 11:04 to go first half, it's HC 10, Del. 9.
HC is 5 for 10 from the field, 0-2 on threes. Delaware 4 for 9, 1 for 4 on threes. After its early problems, Del. taking good care of the ball, just the three early turnovers. HC with four.
Delaware's Zaire Taylor gives the Hens a 15-12 lead with his second straight three at the 9:27 mark. At the other end, Greg McCarthy's second straight bucket cuts it to one.
A dunk by Courtney pushes the Delaware lead back to 17-14, but Torey Thomas will be at the line for two free throws following a timeout with 7:56 to go in the half.
Taylor picks up two fouls in less than a minute and sits down. Short time later, Clifford gets two within 18 seconds and sits for HC.
McCarthy played well off the bench spelling Clifford earlier in the half, but he will have his hands full with the very athletic Courtney when HC matches up out of the 2-3.
Simmons hits HC's first three-pointer at the 4:52 mark, putting the 'Saders up 21-20.
Courtney is a real handful. His easy layup slicing to the hole on an inbounds play gives him 13 points and Delaware a 22-21 lead with 3:33 to play in the first half.
So far, HC shooting 9 of 16 from the field, 1 of 3 from the arc. Del. at 9 of 20, 3 for 8. Rebounds are 10-9 Delaware, Turnovers: HC 7, Del. 6.
Henry Olawoye checks in for Del. and gets tow quick personals, the second putting HC in the one and one. McCarthy, though, misses the front end, his first missed free throw of the season after making 7 of 7 in the 9 games he played coming in.
Courtney shows he is not all inside, drilling a long three for a 25-21 Del lead. Thomas answers with a three for HC, but at the other end it's Courtney again, this time banking one in from the foul line.
Delaware plays for a last shot, but misses. Thomas grabs the rebound, takes a couple quick dribbles and lets go with a three-quarter court heave that is off the rim.
At the half, it is Delaware 27, HC 24.
Holy Cross is shooting 50 percent, 10 for 20, and is 2 for 5 on threes. Saders are 2 for 4 at the line. Delaware 11 for 23 (8 of the makes, and 12 of the shots by Courtney) with 4 threes on 10 tries. Del. is 1-1 at the foul line.
Leading scorer for HC is Thomas with 7. Vander Baan has 6. Keith Simmons quiet with just the one three (1 for 3 from the field)
Delaware is all Courtney -- 18 points, 5 rebounds, a block and a steal. He played all 20 minutes.
SECOND HALF
Clifford and Simmons involved early in the second half for HC. Clifford got the ball down on the block the 'Saders first possession and converted. On the other side of a three and a acrobatic finish on the break by Simmons, Clifford got the ball on the blocks again but was fouled before the shot.
Delaware with a three by Brian Johnson in that span. With 15:54 to go, HC is up 31-30.
A quick 7-0 HC run gives the Saders a 38-34 lead with 11:20 to play. Simmons bookends around a Clifford layin -- the first Simmons bucket finishing a coast-to-coast take after a steal, the second on a kickout from Clifford after Delaware collapsed to triple team him down low.
So far, Courtney has been quiet, just 2 points this half. Delaware 3 for 12 from the field in the half. HC 6 for 10.
Fouls starting to mount for Delaware, they have six team fouls with 10:04 to play. At least four of three of those on smaller guys trying to defend Clifford in the paint. -- Make that 7, Courtney just held Clifford for his third personal and seventh team foul. Delaware coach Monte Ross did not like the call and griped long after Clifford missed the front of the one-and-one, drawing a T. Simmons made both for a 40-36 lead.
Clifford draws another foul (Del. team foul 9) at the 8:18 mark and makes both.
With 7:53 to play, HC up 42-36.
With 7:42 to play, HC tentative against Del. press resulting in a 10 second call and a turnover. Delaware cannot convert at the other end, though.
Brian Johnson fouls Thomas with 4:43 to play. It's Delaware's 10th team foul. Thomas makes both for a 46-40 lead.
Clifford picks up his 4th personal with 3:48 left, Holy Cross still up 46-40.
Delaware is now 4 for 17 from the field in the second half, with 3:07 to play.
Clifford fouls out going for a rebound with 2:50 to play. A questionable call from this angle. McCarthy will need to fill the middle down the stretch.
Similar to yesterday, HC with just one field goal since the 10 minute mark. They are 6 for 6 at the foul line since then.
2:14 to play, HC up 46-42 after turning it over on a shot clock violation.
Simmons' second personal is team number 10 for HC with 2:05 to play. Darrell Johnson misses the back end, but Courtney gets the rebound and a break when what should have been a travel is called a jump ball.
It's turning into a free throw shooting contest. Delaware scores 5 straight at the line to get within 1. Cruze with a pair makes it 48-45 HC, then 2 more for Del. make it a one-point game again with less than a minute to play.
35.2 Simmons shooting two, misses both.
Delaware timeout with the ball, 26.3 to play, HC clinging to a 48-47 lead.
Darrell Johnson misses from the left baseline and Vander Baan rebounds with 8.9 seconds to go. He is immediately fouled, but makes only one of two. HC is up 49-47 with 8.9 seconds to go.
Brian Johnson dribbles the length of the floor and tries to put up a runner on Thomas, it misses, McCarthy rebounds and HC holds on for the 49-47 win.
Day three of the LaSalle Invitational brings an early start for the Crusaders of Holy Cross, who will bus back to Worcester after the game. It's the first time in the three days of the round robin event that the host LaSalle Explorers are not playing in the first game of the day.
This has not been a good weekend for LaSalle, which has dropped each of its first two game. It had been a very good weekend for Delaware, which came in without a win and is now riding a two-game win streak.
The key for the Blue Hens has been shooting. Delaware shot 51.9 percent in the win over Niagara and hit 55 percent of its shots in the first half against LaSalle, building a 12-point halftime lead that was enough cushion for the Hens to hold on for a 58-56 win.
Defense has not been too shabby either. The Hens held both Niagara and LaSalle in the 50s.
Look for Holy Cross to try to establish Tim Clifford down low early in this one. After leading the Crusaders in scoring in the two games prior to the Philly trip, Clifford has been lost in the shuffle here. Given Delaware's lack of size, this would be a good spot for him to get back on track.
Delaware starts two freshmen and a sophomore. No starter is taller than 6-7 since 6-8 junior Henry Olawoye lost his spot in the starting five prior to the Niagara game. Beyond Olawoye, there is not much size on the Hens bench. Matt Hewson,a 7-3 sophomore has left the team and is transferring, 6-10 Raphael Madera is suspended indefinitely.
The Crusaders, for the first time in the three games here, are the home team and will be wearing their white uniforms. They are still occupying the bench at the south end of Tom Gola Arena.
Tip off right around the corner.
We're stuck in between two radio crews here on press row. To the left is Delaware's commercial station, to the right their student station. It's not Hell, but it is close.
Alex Vander Baan the man offensively early for HC, he has the team's first two baskets. Delaware turned it over their first two looks at HC's 2-3.
Clifford inside makes it 6-0 HC early. At the other end, Delaware travels, making it three turnovers and two missed shots on the Hens' first four possessions.
Vander Baan with his third bucket, it's 8-0 HC with 16:04 to go in the first half.
Worcester is five hours away, Newark, Del. just down the road from Phily, but the HC fans outnumber the Hens followers by at least 2 to 1 here.
Delaware gets on the board after the first TV timeout, a quick 5-0 spurt, which brings a 30 second timeout from Ralph Willard. The Hens are trying full court pressure.
A sloppy pass at the top of the key by Clifford leads to a Delaware steal and a layin at the other end, cutting the HC lead to 8-7.
Adam May off the bench early for HC. Along with Eric Meister. May gives Keith Simmons a rest, Meister in for Vander Baan. Greg McCarthy follows, spelling Clifford.
Delaware's Herb Courtney giving HC trouble inside. The 6-7 junior has 6 of Delaware's 9 points, all from within two feet of the basket,
With 11:04 to go first half, it's HC 10, Del. 9.
HC is 5 for 10 from the field, 0-2 on threes. Delaware 4 for 9, 1 for 4 on threes. After its early problems, Del. taking good care of the ball, just the three early turnovers. HC with four.
Delaware's Zaire Taylor gives the Hens a 15-12 lead with his second straight three at the 9:27 mark. At the other end, Greg McCarthy's second straight bucket cuts it to one.
A dunk by Courtney pushes the Delaware lead back to 17-14, but Torey Thomas will be at the line for two free throws following a timeout with 7:56 to go in the half.
Taylor picks up two fouls in less than a minute and sits down. Short time later, Clifford gets two within 18 seconds and sits for HC.
McCarthy played well off the bench spelling Clifford earlier in the half, but he will have his hands full with the very athletic Courtney when HC matches up out of the 2-3.
Simmons hits HC's first three-pointer at the 4:52 mark, putting the 'Saders up 21-20.
Courtney is a real handful. His easy layup slicing to the hole on an inbounds play gives him 13 points and Delaware a 22-21 lead with 3:33 to play in the first half.
So far, HC shooting 9 of 16 from the field, 1 of 3 from the arc. Del. at 9 of 20, 3 for 8. Rebounds are 10-9 Delaware, Turnovers: HC 7, Del. 6.
Henry Olawoye checks in for Del. and gets tow quick personals, the second putting HC in the one and one. McCarthy, though, misses the front end, his first missed free throw of the season after making 7 of 7 in the 9 games he played coming in.
Courtney shows he is not all inside, drilling a long three for a 25-21 Del lead. Thomas answers with a three for HC, but at the other end it's Courtney again, this time banking one in from the foul line.
Delaware plays for a last shot, but misses. Thomas grabs the rebound, takes a couple quick dribbles and lets go with a three-quarter court heave that is off the rim.
At the half, it is Delaware 27, HC 24.
Holy Cross is shooting 50 percent, 10 for 20, and is 2 for 5 on threes. Saders are 2 for 4 at the line. Delaware 11 for 23 (8 of the makes, and 12 of the shots by Courtney) with 4 threes on 10 tries. Del. is 1-1 at the foul line.
Leading scorer for HC is Thomas with 7. Vander Baan has 6. Keith Simmons quiet with just the one three (1 for 3 from the field)
Delaware is all Courtney -- 18 points, 5 rebounds, a block and a steal. He played all 20 minutes.
SECOND HALF
Clifford and Simmons involved early in the second half for HC. Clifford got the ball down on the block the 'Saders first possession and converted. On the other side of a three and a acrobatic finish on the break by Simmons, Clifford got the ball on the blocks again but was fouled before the shot.
Delaware with a three by Brian Johnson in that span. With 15:54 to go, HC is up 31-30.
A quick 7-0 HC run gives the Saders a 38-34 lead with 11:20 to play. Simmons bookends around a Clifford layin -- the first Simmons bucket finishing a coast-to-coast take after a steal, the second on a kickout from Clifford after Delaware collapsed to triple team him down low.
So far, Courtney has been quiet, just 2 points this half. Delaware 3 for 12 from the field in the half. HC 6 for 10.
Fouls starting to mount for Delaware, they have six team fouls with 10:04 to play. At least four of three of those on smaller guys trying to defend Clifford in the paint. -- Make that 7, Courtney just held Clifford for his third personal and seventh team foul. Delaware coach Monte Ross did not like the call and griped long after Clifford missed the front of the one-and-one, drawing a T. Simmons made both for a 40-36 lead.
Clifford draws another foul (Del. team foul 9) at the 8:18 mark and makes both.
With 7:53 to play, HC up 42-36.
With 7:42 to play, HC tentative against Del. press resulting in a 10 second call and a turnover. Delaware cannot convert at the other end, though.
Brian Johnson fouls Thomas with 4:43 to play. It's Delaware's 10th team foul. Thomas makes both for a 46-40 lead.
Clifford picks up his 4th personal with 3:48 left, Holy Cross still up 46-40.
Delaware is now 4 for 17 from the field in the second half, with 3:07 to play.
Clifford fouls out going for a rebound with 2:50 to play. A questionable call from this angle. McCarthy will need to fill the middle down the stretch.
Similar to yesterday, HC with just one field goal since the 10 minute mark. They are 6 for 6 at the foul line since then.
2:14 to play, HC up 46-42 after turning it over on a shot clock violation.
Simmons' second personal is team number 10 for HC with 2:05 to play. Darrell Johnson misses the back end, but Courtney gets the rebound and a break when what should have been a travel is called a jump ball.
It's turning into a free throw shooting contest. Delaware scores 5 straight at the line to get within 1. Cruze with a pair makes it 48-45 HC, then 2 more for Del. make it a one-point game again with less than a minute to play.
35.2 Simmons shooting two, misses both.
Delaware timeout with the ball, 26.3 to play, HC clinging to a 48-47 lead.
Darrell Johnson misses from the left baseline and Vander Baan rebounds with 8.9 seconds to go. He is immediately fouled, but makes only one of two. HC is up 49-47 with 8.9 seconds to go.
Brian Johnson dribbles the length of the floor and tries to put up a runner on Thomas, it misses, McCarthy rebounds and HC holds on for the 49-47 win.
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