The first 8 minutes, we play the most frenetic high energy defense I've seen all year. It doesn't produce our best results, but the energy is amazing. We are up 17-10 as our starters rest. Hannan is doing everything out there.
The bench lets the energy and the shooting drop
After they let them tie it at 18, I call a timeout and chew out the 2nd unit. They respond with a 4-0 run. 22-18 as we bring back the starters with 6:26 to go in the half.
A very good 1st half. 37-29 lead as Hannan has been incredible again and Simmons has been very efficient in creating shots for guys.
Hannan is the player of the half with 19 points, 4 boards, 2 assist, and 1 turnover. He has shot 7 of 12, 2 of 5, and 3 of 4 in the 1st half.
Simmons with 0 points but he has 6 assists including 3 to Clifford who is 4 of 4 from the floor so far, 2 of them on dunks that were created by Simmons.
Great start to the 2nd half, we don't let them score for the first 4 minutes. We are up 58-40 with 12:53 to go as our starters rest.
I'm not taking any chances, with a 70-55 lead, I'm bringing back my starters. 5:44 left.
I rest my starters for good with 2:21 to go. They absolutely put the hammer down. We are now up 83-55.
We win the game 85-65. This win makes me very optimistic about our chances the rest of the way in the conference tourney.
Hannan was the player of the game. He finished with 34 points, 4 boards, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block. He shot 13 of 22, 3 of 6, and 5 of 7. He also hed Augustine, their SF, to 14 points on 5 of 14 shooting.
Simmons with 5 points, 11 assists, 3 steals, and only 1 turnover. He shot 2 of 4, 1 of 2, and 0 of 0.
Gill with 4 points, 1 board, 1 assist, and 1 steal. He shot 2 of 5. His man had 16 points on 6 of 8 shooting.
Cornette with 9 points, 11 boards, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block. He shot 4 of 6.
Clifford with 14 points, 10 boards, 2 assists, and 1 steal. Many of his points came off easy attemptes as the result of Simmons' passes, but he did have 2 nice baskets that were the result of good work by him in backing his man down.
Bowers led the bench with 9 points on 3 of 6 shooting. Waters had 7 points and 2 assists.
Our next game in the tourney is against Loyola (MD) who we beat 88-76 at their place and 77-56 at our place. If we win, we'll face either Siena or Fairfield in the tourney final.