2008 Woodie Awards
Cards fall in Classic championship game
Joe Solano
Issue date: 11/14/08 Section: Sports Updates
Originally published: 11/16/08 at 8:48 PM EST
Last update: 11/18/08 at 9:33 AM EST
The Plattsburgh State men's basketball team lost Sunday to Westfield State, 64-60, in the championship game of the Cardinal Classic.
This is PSUC's first loss of the season and the earliest loss since the 2006-07 season when it was defeated in its opener by Connecticut College.
The Owls were the only team in the tournament field other then the Cardinals to have a winning record the previous season.
The Owls came out swinging in the first half defending the glass, forcing the Cards to settle for mid-range jumpers. PSUC had difficulty setting up their offense while Westfield thrived. Midway through the first half they went on a 7-0 run to double up the Cardinals, 14-7.
The inside presence that Westfield big man Asa Abbott brought flustered the PSUC defense causing them to get into foul trouble early and often. The Owls attempted 14 free throws in the first half to the Cardinals' four.
PSUC Head Coach Tom Curle spoke of the halftime changes he made when his team went into the locker room down, 29-24. He said the ball needed to be passed inside rather than settle for bad shots and running through traffic.
He also decided to give more minutes to the leading halftime scorer, Brad Mader. Mader had six points going into the half and finished with 16.
Second-half play was kinder to the Cards as they started on a 5-2 run, tying the game shortly into the half. They changed leads multiple times, adjusting better to the game tempo and at times forcing the Owls into bad shots and miscues.
With less than five minutes remaining Westfield went on an 11-2 run which kept the game close going down to the wire.
"We allowed too many easy baskets," Curle said. "We had guys in foul trouble and everyone wanted to conserve themselves. We had two turnovers in that stretch trying to get the ball to Brad (Mader) - we needed to get the ball inside."
With the score tied at 58 and just under a minute left, a Westfield State player shot a brick off the glass, the Owls got the offensive rebound and put it in for the go-ahead. The Owls wouldn't give up the lead again. With 34 seconds left, PSUC had its chance to tie with a great spin move by guard Ketema Brooks that created space for a 15 foot leaner. The shot was missed and the Cardinals were forced to foul until the end.
"In this loss I was impressed by the desire and character," Curle said. "We learn from set backs. Winning is an acquired trait."
Chris Ruiz, who finished with seven points, was not discouraged by this early season loss speaking of the comeback they did make and the better basketball they played from the first to the second half.
"We showed a lot of heart," Ruiz said. "We would never let down and not try."
Tim Havens who finished with three rebounds and two assists echoed both his coach and teammate.
"We played hard at both ends, it came down to rebounding though. We did a better job of pushing the ball in the second half," Havens said. "This game taught us a lot of lessons. We'll learn and work harder - as a young team we did very well."
The Cards will travel to Norwich Tuesday evening in hopes to rebound from their first loss. The Cadets are currently winless on the season, dropping their first two games.
This is PSUC's first loss of the season and the earliest loss since the 2006-07 season when it was defeated in its opener by Connecticut College.
The Owls were the only team in the tournament field other then the Cardinals to have a winning record the previous season.
The Owls came out swinging in the first half defending the glass, forcing the Cards to settle for mid-range jumpers. PSUC had difficulty setting up their offense while Westfield thrived. Midway through the first half they went on a 7-0 run to double up the Cardinals, 14-7.
The inside presence that Westfield big man Asa Abbott brought flustered the PSUC defense causing them to get into foul trouble early and often. The Owls attempted 14 free throws in the first half to the Cardinals' four.
PSUC Head Coach Tom Curle spoke of the halftime changes he made when his team went into the locker room down, 29-24. He said the ball needed to be passed inside rather than settle for bad shots and running through traffic.
He also decided to give more minutes to the leading halftime scorer, Brad Mader. Mader had six points going into the half and finished with 16.
Second-half play was kinder to the Cards as they started on a 5-2 run, tying the game shortly into the half. They changed leads multiple times, adjusting better to the game tempo and at times forcing the Owls into bad shots and miscues.
With less than five minutes remaining Westfield went on an 11-2 run which kept the game close going down to the wire.
"We allowed too many easy baskets," Curle said. "We had guys in foul trouble and everyone wanted to conserve themselves. We had two turnovers in that stretch trying to get the ball to Brad (Mader) - we needed to get the ball inside."
With the score tied at 58 and just under a minute left, a Westfield State player shot a brick off the glass, the Owls got the offensive rebound and put it in for the go-ahead. The Owls wouldn't give up the lead again. With 34 seconds left, PSUC had its chance to tie with a great spin move by guard Ketema Brooks that created space for a 15 foot leaner. The shot was missed and the Cardinals were forced to foul until the end.
"In this loss I was impressed by the desire and character," Curle said. "We learn from set backs. Winning is an acquired trait."
Chris Ruiz, who finished with seven points, was not discouraged by this early season loss speaking of the comeback they did make and the better basketball they played from the first to the second half.
"We showed a lot of heart," Ruiz said. "We would never let down and not try."
Tim Havens who finished with three rebounds and two assists echoed both his coach and teammate.
"We played hard at both ends, it came down to rebounding though. We did a better job of pushing the ball in the second half," Havens said. "This game taught us a lot of lessons. We'll learn and work harder - as a young team we did very well."
The Cards will travel to Norwich Tuesday evening in hopes to rebound from their first loss. The Cadets are currently winless on the season, dropping their first two games.
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