UAA men close non-league play against Lincoln Chr.

The Alaska Anchorage men’s basketball team (4-7) will close its non-conference schedule with a pair of home game Jan. 2 and 3 against Lincoln (Ill.) Christian. The Seawolves and Preachers are set to tip off at 7:30 p.m. both evenings. Get complete details, including how to follow all of the action live, in the weekly release.

 

Nate Sagan
Sports Information Director

University of Alaska Anchorage
3211 Providence Dr. / Anchorage, AK 99508
(907) 786-1295 / Fax: (907) 563-4565
GoSeawolves.com

 

Barker, defense push Seawolves past Rockhurst, 63-52

ANCHORAGE (Dec. 20) – Kenny Barker scored 22 points and the Alaska Anchorage men’s basketball team delivered its best defensive effort of the season Saturday to rally for a 63-52 victory over Rockhurst at the Wells Fargo Sports Complex.

UAA (4-7) also got nine points apiece from guards Darren Nye and Lonnie Ridgeway to avoid its third straight home loss.

Rockhurst (6-4) was led by sharp-shooting guard Aaron Hill’s 21 points, while forward Alden Smith contributed 13 points for the visitors from Kansas City, Mo.

The Hawks – who entered with a five-game winning streak – started the game hot, taking a 20-13 lead midway through the first half. But a three-pointer by Manley's Kevin White (7 pts, 6 rebounds) and a tip-in by Ridgeway got the Seawolves rolling, and Barker nailed a three-pointer to end the half and send the home team to the locker room with a 31-27 advantage.

Rockhurst never seemed to regain its momentum in the second half as UAA quickly built its lead to 39-29 on six quick points from senior center Jeremiah Trueman (8 pts, 4 rebounds). The Hawks stayed within striking distance the rest of the way but could never get closer than seven points.

Barker did most of his damage from the free-throw line, where he went 8 for 8, while Nye dished four assists and grabbed a pair of steals.

Sophomore guard Brandon Walker tied Barker for game-high honors with eight rebounds, but it was his resounding dunk with 15 minutes left that brought the crowd to its feet and delivered enough inspiration to close out the win – UAA’s first on its primary home court this season.

The Seawolves allowed their fewest points this year and equaled their best opponent field-goal percentage by holding the Hawks to 33.3 percent (19 of 57) marksmanship.

Steve White tallied a season-high four points on a pair of layups, while fellow true freshman Grant Niver saw the first action of his career, getting credited with a blocked shot.

Saturday’s game was supposed to be the first of three in the AT&T Jamboree, but games 2 and 3 – originally scheduled for Sunday and Monday – had to be canceled due to Dowling (N.Y.) getting snowed in on the East Coast.

UAA will play its final two non-conference games Jan. 2 and 3 when it hosts Lincoln (Ill.) Christian at the WFSC. Games start at 7:30 p.m. both nights.

Magden leads No. 3 ASU over GCSU

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Augusta State shot 64 percent in the first half Monday night and opened its Peach Belt Conference schedule with an 80-68 victory over Georgia College & State in Christenberry Fieldhouse.
With the victory, the third-ranked Jaguars improved to 4-1 overall and 1-0 in the PBC. The Bobcats, who entered the game averaging more than 103 points per game, dropped to 4-1 overall and 0-1 in the league.
The win marked ASU’s fifth straight in the series with GCSU and improved to the Jaguars to 30-7 in conference play under fifth-year head coach Dip Metress.
Junior guard Ben Madgen (Williamstown, VIC) led six Jaguars in double figures with 14 points. Fellow juniors Daniel Dixon and Fred Brathwaite netted 13 points each, while Greg Hire, Garret Siler and Caleb Brown booked 10 points each. Hire registered his second double-double in as many games, grabbing a game-high 10 rebounds.
Shaun Keaton tallied a game-high 18 points for GCSU, which connected on 11 3-pointers in the contest but shot just 36.4 percent from the field. Ken Kemp and Justin Brown chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively.
ASU jumped ahead with a 19-2 run midway through the first half with Brathwaite giving the Jags a 31-13 lead on a jumper at the 7:05 mark. After the Bobcats got within 13, ASU closed the half on a 9-3 run to open up a 48-29 lead – it’s largest of the game -- at halftime.
The Bobcats fought back early in the second half, outscoring ASU 15-4 to close within 52-44 on a Josh Hurst jumper at the 13:51 mark. The Jags pushed their lead back to as much as 15 on a Siler free throw before GCSU answered with a 10-0 spurt. Keaton capped the run with a pair of free throws to cut the Bobcat deficit to 65-60 with just 3:03 remaining.
On ASU’s next possession, Dixon drilled a 3-pointer with the shot clock running down and Hire added two free throws to give the Jags a 70-60 cushion. ASU scored its last 12 points from the free throw line as the visitors fouled to extend the game.
ASU hit a season-high 26-of-29 free throws and connected on eight treys. The Jags outrebounded GCSU 40-32 and received a season-high 29 points from their bench.
ASU returns to action on Saturday, Dec. 20 when it travels to Bowie, Md., to take on the Bowie State Bulldogs at 6:00 p.m.
Augusta State def. GCSU 80-68 (Box Score)

Seawolves host Rockhurst, Dowling in AT&T Jamboree

The Alaska Anchorage men’s basketball team (3-7) plays host to visitors Rockhurst (Mo.) and Dowling (N.Y.) in the 17^th annual AT&T Alascom Jamboree, Dec. 20-22 at the Wells Fargo Sports Complex. The event kicks off Saturday night with UAA vs. Rockhurst at 7:30 p.m. Get complete details, including how to follow all of the action live, in the weekly release.

Saint Leo tops UAA again, 71-63

ANCHORAGE (Dec. 17) – The Alaska Anchorage men’s basketball team came all the way back from a 12-point deficit Wednesday but couldn’t finish the job as Saint Leo earned a 71-63 win over the Seawolves at the Wells Fargo Sports Complex.

UAA (3-7) was led by an 18-point, 11-rebound effort from sophomore guard Brandon Walker, while sophomore Lonnie Ridgeway had a career-high-tying 14 points and five rebounds off the bench.

Saint Leo (6-5) got a near-flawless showing from junior forward Josue Vazquez, who led the Floridians with 22 points on 8-of-11 shooting, six rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals in 36 minutes.

Forward Kyle Rowland scored 14 points for the Lions, who handed the Seawolves their first back-to-back losses at the Wells Fargo Sports Complex since Feb. 2005. Saint Leo won Tuesday’s game 74-62.

This was a tighter affair, however, as the Seawolves rebounded from a 36-24 deficit late in the first half.

Senior center Jeremiah Trueman had all 10 of his points and six of his seven rebounds after halftime to keep UAA within striking distance, and the Seawolves finally tied it 53-53 on a Ridgeway layup with 5:36 to play.

But Vazquez then earned a pair of free throws on Saint Leo’s next possession and Rowland followed with a nifty bank shot in traffic to retake the lead for good, and the Lions clinched it from the free throw line.

On a night when neither team was hot from three-point range, free throws made all the difference, with Saint Leo sinking 22 of 31 and UAA going 9 of 12.

UAA outrebounded the Sunshine State Conference foe for the second straight night, 38-32, led by Walker’s career-high 11.

Walker played all 40 minutes in the first start of his Seawolf career, shooting 7 of 14 and dishing three assists. Fellow backcourt newcomer Darren Nye also had his first start and responded with easily his best performance – 11 points (4-8 FG), five assists and no turnovers in 27 minutes.

Leading scorer Kenny Barker was held in check again, however, grabbing seven rebounds but finishing with only six points – 11 under his average – on 3-of-11 shooting.

The Seawolves are back in action Saturday when they host Rockhurst (Mo.) in the AT&T Alascom Jamboree. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m., following the UAA women’s game against Cal State Stanislaus.

Lions snap Seawolf home streak, 74-62

ANCHORAGE (Dec. 16) – Senior center Jeremiah Trueman’s career-high 25 points weren’t enough Tuesday as the Alaska Anchorage men’s basketball team dropped a 74-62 decision to Saint Leo at the Wells Fargo Sports Complex.

The loss snapped UAA’s 19-game winning streak on its primary home court, despite a late rally.

Saint Leo (5-5), of the Sunshine State Conference, was led by 17 points and seven assists from guard Quentin Cullop, plus 15 points and five rebounds from center Jordan Prais. The Lions out-shot the Seawolves 56.6 percent (30 of 53) to 41.3 percent (26-63) from the field, including a 60 percent (9 of 15) to 23 percent (3 of 13) advantage from three-point range.

The Seawolves (3-6) never led the Florida school, falling behind 11-4 early and 25-14 after almost 11 minutes. Trueman cut the deficit to 25-18 on a layup, but the Seawolves would not score again for the next six minutes.

Saint Leo earned its largest lead at 38-18 before UAA scored the final five points of the half.

UAA came out sharper in the second half, clawing within single digits, 55-47, on Brandon Walker’s layup at the 9:01 mark. A free throw by Walker made it 59-54 with 4:46 remaining.

The comeback was not to be, however, as Saint Leo used a 5-point possession to salt the game away. With 2:18 left and the score 62-54, Cullop was fouled while making a trey, then Prais nailed a short jumper after the Lions corralled an offensive rebound.

Walker scored all 10 of his points in the second half, while senior guard Kenny Barker had 12 points, six rebounds, five assists, zero turnovers and three steals.

Trueman was easily UAA’s offensive star of the night, however, shooting 11 of 21 from the field and tallying his second career double-double with 10 rebounds. The 6-9 center from New Zealand also matched his career-high with three assists.

The loss was UAA’s first by double digits at the WFSC since a 105-79 defeat to 17^th-ranked Western Washington on Feb. 17, 2005.

UAA gets a chance at revenge Wednesday when its hosts the Lions again at 7 p.m. at the WFSC.

--BOX AND PLAY BY PLAY ATTACHED--

Nate Sagan
Sports Information Director

University of Alaska Anchorage
3211 Providence Dr. / Anchorage, AK 99508
(907) 786-1295 / Fax: (907) 563-4565
GoSeawolves.com

UAA men host pair with Saint Leo

The Alaska Anchorage men’s basketball team (3-5) makes its Wells Fargo Sports Complex season debut Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 16 and 17, when its hosts Saint Leo in a pair of 7 p.m. tip-offs. Get complete details in the weekly release, including radio, television and internet coverage.

Magden game-high 23 points in ASU loss

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Virginia Union shot 54.5 percent for the game and escaped Christenberry Fieldhouse with a 70-68 victory over third-ranked Augusta State Saturday in a non-conference matchup.

The Jaguars, who dropped to 3-1 on the season, got a game-high 23 points from junior guard Ben Magden (Williamstown, VIC). Senior center Garret Siler had 18 points, while junior forward Fred Brathwaite added 11. Junior forward Greg Hire booked his first double-double of the season with a season-high 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Kyle Cook paced Virginia Union (4-3) with 17 points, while Gregg Thondique and Brandon Byerson chipped in 12 and 11 points, respectively.

With the victory, the Panthers avenged last season's last-second loss to ASU at Barco-Stevens Hall in Richmond, Va.

The loss snapped an ASU nine-game home winning streak and a 14-game non-conference home winning streak. The Jags' last non-conference home loss was on Jan. 5, 2004, to West Georgia.

Virginia Union, which shot 60.7 percent in the second half, led 66-62 before a Siler basket with 2:56 to play got the Jags within two. Brathwaite canned two free throws 30 seconds later to knot the game at 66-all before the Panthers answered with a Brandon Byerson layup on their next possession.

Hire hit a pair of free throws for a 68-all tie with 1:46 to play, only to have Union's Devin Johnson score on a layup with 1:18 remaining for the eventual game-winner.

ASU kicks off its Peach Belt Conference schedule at home on Monday, Dec. 15 with a doubleheader vs. Georgia College & State. Game times are 5:30 and 7:30 p.m., respectively, for the Jaguar women's and men's squads.

Seawolves outlast Bobcats, 71-56

FAIRBANKS (Dec. 13) – Kenny Barker scored 20 of his game-high 26 points in the second half Saturday to help the Alaska Anchorage men's basketball team pull away for 71-56 victory over St. Thomas in the Glacier Classic at the Patty Center.

Sophomore guard Lonnie Ridgeway added a career-high 14 points for UAA (3-5), which won for the third straight time thanks to 56.5 percent shooting.

St. Thomas (4-4), an NAIA program from Miami Gardens, Fla., was led by 19 points from forward Cesar Chavez and 12 points from forward Timothy Cornelius.

Although the Seawolves led through much of the first half, they were never able to pull away and went into the locker room tied 35-35.

St. Thomas took an early 40-37 advantage after the break, but UAA answered with an 18-5 run to take the lead for good. The Seawolves, who also got 12 points (6-10 FG) and six rebounds from center Jeremiah Trueman, were able to extend the advantage slowly from that point to avoid the upset.

Barker, a 6-3 senior guard, finished with 9-of-15 shooting and made 6 of 7 from the free throw line, while also grabbing a team-best four steals. Other big contributors for the Seawolves included Brandon Walker with nine points and eight rebounds, plus fellow sophomore guard Kevin White with eight points and a career-high seven assists.

UAA will return to action Tuesday and Wednesday at the Wells Fargo Sports Complex when its hosts fellow Division II program Saint Leo, also from Florida, in a pair of 7 p.m. tips.

Seawolves blast Trojans, 89-64

FAIRBANKS (Dec. 12) – Senior Kenny Barker had 29 points and sophomore Brandon Walker tossed in 28 points Friday to lead Alaska Anchorage to an 89-64 men's basketball victory over Virginia State in the Glacier Classic at the Patty Center.

The Seawolves (2-5) shot over 60 percent to earn their second straight win, while Virginia State (3-4) was held to 34.5 percent shooting from the field.

UAA also got 12 points from senior center Jeremiah Trueman and 11 points from sophomore guard Kevin White to pull away to a 46-33 halftime lead.

The Trojans, of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, led only once, 5-4, before the Seawolves answered with an 11-0 run.

Barker, who shot 9 of 16 from the field (3-4 3FG, 8-10 FT), tallied 19 of his points in the opening stanza to establish a new career-high as a Seawolf. The 6-3 guard formerly starred here at rival Alaska Fairbanks for three seasons before transferring to UAA last year.

Barker also pulled down 11 rebounds for the second straight game, while Walker grabbed nine boards. Both totals equaled their respective career-highs.

After Barker staked UAA to its lead, Walker came off the bench and helped turn the game into a runaway, sinking 9 of 12 from the field (3-3 3FG) and 7 of 8 from the free throw line. A 6-2 transfer from Division I Loyola Marymount, Walker also added three assists.

UAA outrebounded VSU 39-22.

The Seawolves established season-highs for points in a game, plus field-goal percentage (61.2 percent) and three-point percentage (7 of 12, 58.3 percent).

UAA returns to the Patty Center on Saturday to take on NAIA foe St. Thomas (Fla.) at 5:30 p.m. in the third game of the Glacier Classic.

Seawolf men head north to face Eastern foes

The Alaska Anchorage men's basketball team (1-5) heads north this weekend to face Virginia State and St. Thomas (Fla.) at the Glacier Classic in Fairbanks. Both games, Friday and Saturday, Dec. 12-13, begin at 5 p.m. AST. Get complete details in the weekly release.

 

Nate Sagan
Sports Information Director

University of Alaska Anchorage
3211 Providence Dr. / Anchorage, AK 99508
(907) 786-1295 / Fax: (907) 563-4565
GoSeawolves.com

 

FINAL SHOOTOUT RELEASE- SDSU 76 vs. Hampton 47

ANCHORAGE (Nov. 29) – Powered by a lights-out shooting display from guard D.J. Gay, San Diego State scored the game's first 15 points and went on to a 76-47 rout of Hampton on Saturday night to claim the Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout title.

The Aztecs (5-1) got 20 points, three assists and a pair of steals from Gay, who made his first five three-point shots and finished 6 of 8 from long range. Tournament Most Outstanding Player Kyle Spain, a 6-5 senior forward, managed 17 points, eight rebounds and shot 8 of 8 from the free-throw line.

Hampton (3-3) was led by 15 points from guard Vincent Simpson, but no other Pirate managed more than seven points as the Virginia school shot just 4 of 21 from three-point range.

The Aztecs set Shootout championship-game records for fewest points allowed in a half and largest halftime lead with their 37-16 advantage at the break. The 29-point victory margin was also a title-game record, besting Kentucky's 92-65 win over College of Charleston in 1996.

The Pirates opened with the first two buckets of the second half but would get no closer than a 17-point deficit.

San Diego State senior Ryan Amoroso had five points, eight rebounds and a pair of blocks as he became the first player in the tourney's 31-year history to win two titles. Before transferring to SDSU, Amoroso played for Marquette on their 2005-06 squad, scoring 30 points in the Golden Eagles' championship-game win over South Carolina.

Aztecs coach Steve Fisher also joined an exclusive club, becoming the 12th head coach to win both a Shootout and an NCAA title, along with Jim Boeheim, Denny Crum, Joe B. Hall, Jud Heathcote, Mike Krzyzewski, Lute Olson, Rick Pitino, Dean Smith, Jim Valvano and Roy Williams.

2008 Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout
All-Tournament Team

Ryan Amoroso, San Diego State
Darion Anderson, Northern Illinois
Kenny Barker, Alaska Anchorage
Jordan Brooks, Hampton
Michael Freeman, Hampton
D.J. Gay, San Diego State
Harouna Mutombo, Western Carolina
Phil Nelson, Portland State
Austen Powers, Seattle
Dominic Waters, Portland State
Most Outstanding Player: Kyle Spain, San Diego State

UAA 62, LA TECH 57

ANCHORAGE (Nov. 29) – Senior guard Kenny Barker scored 17 of his game-high 23 points after halftime to lead host Alaska Anchorage to a 62-57 victory over Louisiana Tech in the 7th-place game of the Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout at Sullivan Arena on Saturday.

Sophomore Lonnie Ridgeway added a career-high 13 points for the Seawolves (1-5), who avoided going winless in back-to-back Shootouts for the first just the second time in 31 years (1981 & '82).

Standout guard Kyle Gibson led the Bulldogs (2-4) with 17 points, while 6-10 center Kenneth Cooper was effective on the inside with 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting.

The smaller Seawolves were able to outrebound the Bulldogs by a significant margin, 46-32, including a career-high 11 boards from Barker. The 6-2 senior, who redshirted last year after transferring from arch-rival Alaska Fairbanks, also dished five assists and sank the game-clinching free throws with 8 seconds left.

UAA also used its best three-point shooting of the season (9 of 21, 43 percent) to come back from a 30-29 halftime deficit. Sophomore Kevin White sank both of his trey attempts, while Ridgeway and fellow sophomore guard Brandon Walker were both 2 of 4.

Seawolf center Jeremiah Trueman helped UAA significantly on the interior, totaling a season-high eight rebounds and scoring seven points (3-6 FG).

The victory was UAA's 47th all-time over a Division I opponent, with 29 of those coming in the Shootout.

UAA is off next week before traveling to Fairbanks for the Glacier Classic, Dec. 12-13. The Seawolves will face Virginia State and St. Thomas (Fla.) in those contests.

Hampton 69, UAA 61

ANCHORAGE (Nov. 26) - Jordan Brooks and Michael Freeman led a balanced scoring effort with 11 points apiece Wednesday to push their Hampton squad to a 69-61 victory over host Alaska Anchorage in the opening game of the Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout at Sullivan Arena.

The Pirates (2-2) shot 11 of 22 from three-point range and committed just 10 turnovers to hold off the Division II Seawolves (0-4).

UAA was led by a season-high 23 points from sophomore Div. I transfer Brandon Walker (Loyola Marymount), who shot 7 of 12 from the field and 4 of 7 from three-point range. Senior center Jeremiah Trueman scored a career-high 21 points (9-11 FG) and grabbed six rebounds for the Seawolves.

Brooks - a 5-9 sophomore guard - nailed 3 of 4 from long range, including on back-to-back possessions after the Seawolves had pulled within 51-46 at the 6:25 mark.

Senior guard Kenny Barker grabbed a game-high eight rebounds, but the Seawolves' go-to scorer managed just two points on 1-of-10 shooting. In fact, beyond Trueman and Walker, the rest of the Seawolves shot 7 of 31 from the field.

Hampton, the first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference school ever to appear at the 31-year-old tourney, moves on to face the winner of Northern Illinois and Portland State in Thursday's 5:30 p.m. AST semifinal. The Seawolves will play the NIU-PSU loser at noon Thursday.

UAA men open Shootout vs Pirates

The Alaska Anchorage men’s basketball team (0-3) kicks off the men’s portion of the 31^st annual Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout when it takes on Hampton on Wednesday, Nov. 26 (7:30 p.m.) at Sullivan Arena. Other possible Shootout opponents for the Seawolves are Northern Illinois, Portland State, San Diego State, Seattle, Louisiana Tech and Western Carolina. Get complete details, including how to follow all of the action live, in the attached weekly release.

Wagstaff Leads Metro State with 27

Final Stats

The Metro State men's basketball team evened its record to 1-1 with a 85-66 rout of Minnesota-Crookston, Sunday afternoon at the Radisson Suite Hotel St. Cloud Hoopster Classic in St. Cloud, Minn.

Crookston came out well to start the game, holding the lead through the first 10 minutes of the game. After trailing 22-26, Metro State went on a 37-12 run to close the half with a 59-38 advantage. The teams traded points throughout the second half, but the 'Runners did not allow the Golden Eagles back in the game.

Jesse Wagstaff  (Canberra) led the 'Runners with 27 points, going 10-for-15 from the field. Lawrence Billings and Guiseppe Ciancio added nine points apiece.

Metro State returns home to host the Metro State/Colorado Christian Classic this Friday and Saturday. The 'Runners will face Aquinas at 7 p.m. on Friday and Dickinson at 7 p.m. on Saturday.

Coenraad scores 18 pts in Nova SE win

All-SSC Performer Tim Coenraad Scores 18 Points, Grabs 7 Rebounds In Win

PENSACOLA, Fla. (Nov. 16, 2008) - The Nova Southeastern University men's basketball held on to defeat St. Mary's (Tex.) 51-50 in action inside the UWF Field house on Sunday evening. The victory evens the Sharks record to 1-1 on the season while St. Mary's falls to 0-2.

NSU started out the game on a 12-2 run, with six of the points scored by senior guard/forward Tim Coenraad (Brisbane, Australia) on a jump shot, a dunk and two free throws. A dunk by center David Naylor (Jr., Melbourne, Australia) put the Sharks up by ten points once again with 2:14 remaining in the half. St. Marys would close the half on a 5-0 run to close within 23-17 at the intermission.

Coenraad led all scorers with eight points at the break as NSU shot 34.8 percent from the field. The Sharks out-rebounded St. Mary's 22-20. St. Mary's was able to muster only six field goals in the half, shooting a paltry 22.2 percent.

Two free throws by forward Josh Wood (Sr., Brighton, Australia) helped the Sharks push their lead to the largest margin in the game at 12 points with 14:38 remaining. St. Mary's would go on a run, getting to within one point on two free throws by Anthony Lorenzo with 3:28 left to play. After the two teams traded baskets, a jumper by Coenraad and a free throw by Alex Gynes (So., Nowra, Australia) put the Sharks up 51-47 with under a minute remaining. Lorenzo hit a three-pointer with four seconds left to account for the 51-50 final score.

The Sharks never trailed in the victory. They shot 38.1 percent from the field, including 20 percent from behind the arc. St. Mary's was held to 32.1 percent shooting and just 16.7 percent on three-pointers. NSU was out-rebounded 38-34.

"We set the tempo for this game with our defensive effort," NSU head coach Gary Tuell said. "We maintained that effort for 40 minutes, which is what we need to do to compete with the talented teams on our schedule. As long as we hold our opponents under 40 percent shooting, which we've done in every single exhibition and regular season game this year, we will give ourselves a chance to win until the offense catches up with the defense."

"By every standard of measure, this was the finest effort and defensive performance we've had in my tenure at NSU," said Tuell. "We played as hard as we possibly could for 40 minutes, and as a result we were able to control this game from start to finish. I've never been prouder of a bunch of guys for the way they stepped up after our disappointing performance against Southern Arkansas. St. Mary's was an excellent team, an NCAA tourney team last year, and they were very large, very physical and extremely well-coached. But we grabbed this game by the throat from the opening possession and never let up. I don't think I've ever been involved in a more physical game at the D-2 level, with both teams playing at a very high level on the defensive end of the court. That we could sustain that intensity and focus for 40 minutes showed me a lot about our desire to win. Neither team backed down and neither team quit, and while the offensive execution by both teams wasn't pretty, this was a case where both team's defensive play prevented the other team's offense from doing what it wanted."

Coenraad led all scorers with 18 points and collected seven rebounds. Naylor and freshman center Darrin Williams (Louisville, Ken.) followed with seven points apiece.

"Our offensive execution was very good throughout the game. We went into this game having made about 30 turnovers on average in all of our previous games (three exhibitions and an opening-season loss to Southern Arkansas). Tonight we turned it over just 12 times and only 3 times in the second half. For us, that's an amazing improvement. For the first time in four years we were able to put a fully healthy team on the floor and we needed that. It showed in our effort and execution at both ends of the floor. Both teams did an excellent job executing their offenses, but both teams ran into very physical, intense defenses that turned this game into a rock 'em, sock 'em battle. It wasn't pretty, but from a coaching perspective it was fun to be a part of a game where guys on both teams were giving their all."

Nick Morey scored a game high 15 points for St. Mary's.

Tuell concluded, "I couldn't be more proud of our players. They took care of the ball, they played together and they made every effort to do all the little things we've been stressing to them about team and individual defense. We have a long, long way to go, but at least they showed me that they're in this thing to win and not just to play. Every team plays, but not every team plays to win. If our effort against a very good St. Mary's team is any indication, then we have a chance. We learned a lot about ourselves this weekend, and hopefully we can build on that."

NSU returns to action on Saturday, November 22nd at 7 pm vs. Palm Beach Atlantic in West Palm Beach, Fla. (Sunday 11am AEDT).

 

ASU's Madgen Honored By PBC

Jaguars lead league with two preseason all-conference selections

Web Posted 10/30/08

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Augusta State's Garret Siler and Ben Madgen (Williamstown, VIC) were named to the Peach Belt Conference preseason all-conference team Thursday, according to a release from the league office.

ASU led the way with two players chosen to the five-man squad. The team, which was chosen by the league's 11 sports information directors, also included USC Aiken All-American forward Chris Commons, Georgia Southwestern guard Anthony Sargent and Georgia College & State guard Shaun Keaton rounded out the team.

Siler and Madgen were two of a trio of All-Conference players that helped lead the Jaguars to the NCAA Tournament's National Championship game last season. A 7-0, 291-pound senior center from Augusta, Siler returns for his senior season after leading the NCAA among all divisions in field goal percentage (.762) last year. Named to the Elite Eight All-Tournament team and the South Atlantic Regional All-Tournament team, Siler led the PBC in rebounding last year with 7.8 per game and in blocks with 2.62 per outing. He was also ninth in scoring with a 15.6 ppg., average.

Madgen returns for his junior season at guard after scoring 16.0 ppg his sophomore year and earning All-Conference honors for the second straight season. The 6-4 native of Williamstown, Australia ranked second in the PBC in free throw percentage and 10th in three-pointers made.

Commons was one of two PBC players named an NABC All-American last year and the first Pacer to do so. He was named the PBC co-Player of the Year after helping the team to a school-record 27 wins. An all-league performer as a junior, Keaton was sixth in the PBC in scoring at 16.6 points per game. He finished second in the league in three-pointers made and eighth in three-point percentage. Keaton scored in double-digits in 25 contests and 11 games with 20 or more points.

Sargent led the Peach Belt in scoring last year with 22.0 points per game, although he was not ranked among NCAA leaders because GSW was completing its transition to full DII membership, which they accomplished over the summer. Returning for his senior season, the guard was named all-conference last year after leading the league in three-pointers made and was second in the PBC with 1.88 steals per game.

 

Manly's White career-high but Seawolf men lose heartbreaker in OT

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Humboldt State got a tip-in at the regulation buzzer and hit the key big shots in overtime Sunday to hand the Alaska Anchorage men’s basketball team its third straight narrow loss to start the season, 83-81 at the Disney Div. II Tip-Off Classic at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Sophomore guard Kevin White (Manly) scored a career-high 20 points for UAA, while junior forward Casey Robinson led all scorers with 22 points.

Freshman Elliot Babcock-Krenk came off the bench to hit three three-pointers for Humboldt State (1-2), while forward Kyle Baxter and reserve center David Howard had 12 points apiece for the California school.

In the final three minutes of regulation, Babcock-Krenk twice gave the Lumberjacks a one-point lead with long-range shots, but the Seawolves managed to counter, taking a two-point advantage of their own when Robinson (8-16 FG, 4-9 3FG, 7 rebounds) drained a three-pointer with 7 seconds remaining. Humboldt State's Ernie Spada missed a potential game-winning three, but Zac Tiedeman tipped the ball back into the basket to force overtime.

Babcock-Krenk nailed two more threes to start the overtime, and Colt Mathews and Tiedeman hit critical free throws down the stretch. White drove for the potential tying basket, but Babcock-Krenk blocked the shot to end the contest.

White had three treys for the Seawolves, playing 41 minutes, while senior center Jeremiah Trueman scored also had a career-high with 16 points (4-6 FG, 8-8 FT). Sophomore guard Brandon Walker, a transfer from nearby Loyola Marymount, was the fourth Seawolf in double figures with 12 points (4-8 FG, 2-4 3FG).

Senior guard Kenny Barker, who came in with a team-high 20.0 ppg average over the first two games, was held to just four points (0-3 FG, 4-4 FT) while battling foul trouble.

UAA lost despite leading 41-30 at halftime and by as many as 12 points in the second half. The Seawolves also committed 17 turnovers to HSU’s eight.

UAA did shoot a respectable 9 of 25 (36 percent) from the three-point line, while making better than 80 percent (26-29, 89.7 percent) from the free-throw line for the third straight day.

The Seawolves do not return to the court until Nov. 26 when they host Division I Hampton in the first round of the Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout at Sullivan Arena.

Seawolf men fall 66-62 to Ft. Lewis

ANAHEIM, Calif. (Nov. 8) – Senior guard Kenny Barker had another prolific offensive outing as the Alaska Anchorage men’s basketball team dropped its second straight close decision, losing 66-62 Saturday against Fort Lewis in the Disney Division II West Coast Tip-Off Classic at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Barker had 19 points and seven assists for UAA (0-2), while junior forward Casey Robinson chipped in 13 points and sophomore guard Lonnie Rideway scored a career-high 11 points.

Fort Lewis (2-0), meanwhile, rode the sharpshooting inside-outside combination of center Kirk Archibeque and guard Ryan Jameson, who totaled 35 points on 11-of-18 shooting.

The three-point line was a deciding factors as the Skyhawks nailed 9 of 17 (52 percent) to UAA’s 6 of 25 (24 percent). Rebounding also hurt UAA, which got out-boarded by double-digits for the second day in a row, 34-24.

Saturday’s game was a dogfight early with the teams switching leads throughout the first half. Ridgeway hit a field goal and sank one of two free throws with 4 minutes to play in the first half, tying the contest, 20-20, for the fifth time.

Fort Lewis – the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference West Division preseason favorite – would use an 8-2 run to end the half, however, then stretched its lead as high as 44-27 with 12 minutes left.

The Seawolves still trailed by 59-47 after the 3-minute mark before Barker (5-8 FG, 2-3 3FG, 7-8 FT) made a pair of free throws to start a furious comeback.

A pair of Skyhawk turnovers opened the door for the Seawolves, who got two more charities from Rideway and a three-pointer from sophomore guard Brandon Walker to make it 59-54.

UAA continued to claw but would only get as close as 64-62 with one second left, and the Durango, Colo., squad closed the game with a pair of free throws.

Kevin White (Manly) finished with 3 points on 1-of-6 from the field.

The Seawolves get another chance for their first win Sunday when they play West Region and former Great Northwest Athletic Conference rival Humboldt State (0-2) at 12:30 p.m. AST.

Mustangs down Seawolves in Disney opener

ANAHEIM, Calif. (Nov. 7) – Senior guard Kenny Barker scored 21 points in his Seawolf debut and fellow senior Jeremiah Trueman added 11 points, but the Alaska Anchorage men's basketball team could not make up a late deficit Friday as it fell 60-55 to Southwest Minnesota State at Disney's Division II West Coast Tip-Off Classic at the Anaheim Convention Center.

The Seawolves (0-1) also got 10 points from junior transfer Casey Robinson, plus six points and six rebounds from sophomore transfer Brandon Walker in the loss.

The Mustangs (1-0) prospered with a balanced attack as reserve guard Andy Beilke scored 12 points and three other players tallied nine. Center Ross DaMasi grabbed 15 rebounds to help SMSU dominate UAA on the boards, 43-28.

The teams battled evenly through the first 15 minutes and UAA took a 22-20 lead on a jumper by Barker at the 5:49 mark of the first half. However SMSU's Andrew Peschong answered with a three-pointer only 19 seconds later to give the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference team the lead for good.

UAA – which returns no starters from last year's 29-6, Final Four team – trailed by as many as 15 points in the second half before slicing the deficit late. Robinson's second three-pointer made it 58-53 with 1:46 remaining, but that would be the Seawolves' final field goal.

Alaska-Anchorage boasts two Aussies on their roster in sophomore Kevin White (Manly) and junior transfer Chris Neal (Sydney).

The Seawolves have a quick turnaround as they prepare for their next opponent in the round-robin format. UAA will take on Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference West Division-favorite Fort Lewis (Colo.) at 6:30 p.m. AST.

Matt French transfers to DII Francis Marion

Junior forward Matt French (Melbourne) transferred from Division I Gardner-Webb to Division II Francis Marion University.

 

 

 

New-look Seawolf men open season at Disney Tip-Off

The Alaska Anchorage basketball team begins its 2008-09 campaign against three tough opponents at Disney’s Div. II West Coast Tip-Off Classic this weekend in Anaheim, Calif. The Seawolves will open against Southwest Minnesota State on Friday before taking on Fort Lewis and Humboldt State the following days.

Vanderjagt Transfers to Western Washington

BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON - Seven-foot center Dave Vanderjagt (Townsville), who played the last two years at NCAA Division I University of Montana, has signed a scholarship agreement to play men's basketball at Western Washington University.

33 Aussie in NCAA Division II for 2008-09

There are 33 active NCAA Division II Aussies to start the 2008-09 basketball season, including five on the Nova Southeastern University roster, playing out of the Sunshine State Conference in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Chris Harriman (Sydney) who spent four years as Nova's assitant coach received a promotion this season, as he's moved on to NCAA Division I, St. Louis University under Andrew Bogut's former collegiate coach Rick Majerus. Majerus who coached Bogut at Utah, was named the head coach at St. Louis on April 30th of 2007.

"I first met Chris when he played for Augusta State against one of my terrific Utah teams which, ironically, had (current staff member) Alex Jensen," Majerus said. "As a player, Chris was a cerebral point guard and a terrific competitor who I thought would one day would become an outstanding coach. He worked for one of the best Division II coaches in the game, Gary Tuell, who has developed an outstanding program at Nova Southeastern. Chris is a 24/7 basketball guy who has great knowledge of the game with the rare ability to teach the game as well. His passion for the game coincides with our current staff, and we are fortunate to have him on board. In addition to being an outstanding coach and teacher, he is a man of character and will be an exemplary role model for our players both on and off the court." "I first met Chris when he played for Augusta State against one of my terrific Utah teams which, ironically, had (current staff member) Alex Jensen," Majerus said. "As a player, Chris was a cerebral point guard and a terrific competitor who I thought would one day would become an outstanding coach. He worked for one of the best Division II coaches in the game, Gary Tuell, who has developed an outstanding program at Nova Southeastern. Chris is a 24/7 basketball guy who has great knowledge of the game with the rare ability to teach the game as well. His passion for the game coincides with our current staff, and we are fortunate to have him on board. In addition to being an outstanding coach and teacher, he is a man of character and will be an exemplary role model for our players both on and off the court."

"When given an opportunity to learn from one of the best in the business in coach Majerus, I was thrilled and excited to come to Saint Louis," Harriman said. "I am looking forward to the opportunities that lay ahead and working with our outstanding student-athletes. With coach Majerus and the new Chaifetz Arena, the SLU program is headed for great things."

Harriman had a short stint in his homeland Australia's National Basketball League in 1997-98 with the traditional league power Sydney Kings. He moved to the United States and attended Augusta State (Ga.) University. Harriman tallied 627 points and 375 assists in his playing career at ASU and was named league Player of the Week in January 2003. As a senior, he led the Peach Belt Conference in steals. Harriman led ASU to two NCAA Division II Tournaments and one PBC North Division title, and he was a part of 78 victories. After graduating from Augusta State in 2003, Harriman played the 2003-04 season with the Hunter Valley Pirates in the NBL and was runner-up for Rookie of the Year honors.

After his professional playing career, Harriman joined the coaching staff at Nova Southeastern under head coach Gary Tuell, his college coach at Augusta State, in August of 2004. Harriman was instrumental in recruiting student-athletes to NSU and established a strong coaching reputation in Australia. In 2007-08, he helped Tim Coenraad earn first-team NABC All-South Region honors. Joining a rebuilding NSU program, Harriman helped the Sharks post 48 victories during his tenure. A 17-win season in 2005-06 was the biggest turnaround in 15 years in Division II basketball. A native of Sydney, Australia, Harriman and his wife, Cheryl, have one son, Avery.

*portions of this article taken from www.slubillikens.com