2008 Woodie Awards
Young PSUC squad knocks off Johnson State
Joe Solano
Issue date: 11/14/08 Section: Sports Updates
Originally published: 11/16/08 at 12:25 AM EST
Last update: 11/16/08 at 8:44 PM EST
In its season opener, the Plattsburgh State men's basketball team defeated the Johnson State Badgers, 75-70, in the opening round of the Cardinal Classic.
The Cards won their second straight season opener with tonight's victory and four of their last five season opening tilts.
The game began with a fired up Cardinal team handling the Badgers on both sides of the ball. Johnson State defenders had difficulty establishing an inside game and were forced to settle for midrange jumpers through the first five minutes. PSUC easily went inside dishing the ball off to big men RJ Ponesse and Farris Thomas with ease.
It wasn't until the Badgers found their touch from three-point range midway through the first half that they slipped into their comfort zone. They started the half going 3-for-3 from downtown.
The Cards' returning leading scorer from last season, Chris Ruiz, made his presence felt early and often through the first half putting up 11 points. He finished with 24.
The Cards went into the locker room confident with a 40-30 halftime lead
"We came out strong," Ruiz said. "We kept up with them. The athleticism really came into play tonight."
Second half action caught up with the Cards as the Badgers made a run, taking the lead several times. However, the fast-break style offense that PSUC was running lead to a high volume of turnovers. The Cards finished with 19 turnovers by games end.
Johnson State tried to match the speed and quickness, but could not keep up.
PSUC Head Coach Tom Curle didn't believe the Badgers were suited to run with the Cards. He complimented their shooting and strength, but felt their offense was ready to match their fast break.
"I was pleased with our composure tonight," Curle said. "I didn't want to rush greatness. There is much to be worked on."
Johnson State kept it close until just under 4:30 remaining. A miss by a Johnson State player led to an outlet pass from PSUC's Tim Havens from the Johnson State 3-point line, past half court to Thomas. Thomas, being closely guarded by a sprinting Badger, dunked the ball and drew a foul. The crowd erupted as the whistle blew. Thomas hit the free throw putting the Cards up, 71-66, not letting the badgers score for the rest of the game.
"I got the ball off the miss," Havens said. "I just had to make sure the pass was over him, it was, he got it and just ended on him."
Curle spoke highly of the positives he saw in the game though praising players like Errol Daniyan, who dominated on the glass, as he gobbled up 15 rebounds while putting up 16 points, and Ruiz who put up the game high 24 points.
In the other first-round match-up Westfield State punished Paul Smith's College , 118-70. Westfield and PSUC will square off tomorrow at 3 p.m. in the championship game of the Cardinal Classic.
The Cards won their second straight season opener with tonight's victory and four of their last five season opening tilts.
The game began with a fired up Cardinal team handling the Badgers on both sides of the ball. Johnson State defenders had difficulty establishing an inside game and were forced to settle for midrange jumpers through the first five minutes. PSUC easily went inside dishing the ball off to big men RJ Ponesse and Farris Thomas with ease.
It wasn't until the Badgers found their touch from three-point range midway through the first half that they slipped into their comfort zone. They started the half going 3-for-3 from downtown.
The Cards' returning leading scorer from last season, Chris Ruiz, made his presence felt early and often through the first half putting up 11 points. He finished with 24.
The Cards went into the locker room confident with a 40-30 halftime lead
"We came out strong," Ruiz said. "We kept up with them. The athleticism really came into play tonight."
Second half action caught up with the Cards as the Badgers made a run, taking the lead several times. However, the fast-break style offense that PSUC was running lead to a high volume of turnovers. The Cards finished with 19 turnovers by games end.
Johnson State tried to match the speed and quickness, but could not keep up.
PSUC Head Coach Tom Curle didn't believe the Badgers were suited to run with the Cards. He complimented their shooting and strength, but felt their offense was ready to match their fast break.
"I was pleased with our composure tonight," Curle said. "I didn't want to rush greatness. There is much to be worked on."
Johnson State kept it close until just under 4:30 remaining. A miss by a Johnson State player led to an outlet pass from PSUC's Tim Havens from the Johnson State 3-point line, past half court to Thomas. Thomas, being closely guarded by a sprinting Badger, dunked the ball and drew a foul. The crowd erupted as the whistle blew. Thomas hit the free throw putting the Cards up, 71-66, not letting the badgers score for the rest of the game.
"I got the ball off the miss," Havens said. "I just had to make sure the pass was over him, it was, he got it and just ended on him."
Curle spoke highly of the positives he saw in the game though praising players like Errol Daniyan, who dominated on the glass, as he gobbled up 15 rebounds while putting up 16 points, and Ruiz who put up the game high 24 points.
In the other first-round match-up Westfield State punished Paul Smith's College , 118-70. Westfield and PSUC will square off tomorrow at 3 p.m. in the championship game of the Cardinal Classic.
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