Quinnipiac v. CCSU

By John Chagaris, College AP
March 1, 2005
New Britain, CT - Last night at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) or known to Crazy bobcat fans as "Safety School #1" the #9 Quinnipiac Men's basketball team faced the #8 CCSU Blue Devils. The winner of this game would grab the #8 seed in the Northeast Conference and would have the honor of being destroyed by #1 Monmouth. The Bobcats came out hungry after losing a tough game against the Blue Devils last week 75-70.

CCSU started off the game quickly as Demario Anderson hit a layup 17 seconds into the game to give the Blue Devils an early 2-0 lead. At the 18:44 mark, Van Crafton hit a three pointer to give the Bobcats a 3-2 lead which they would hold until the next trip down the court as Demario Anderson threw up a three pointer of his own to give CCSU a lead of 5-5. The Bobcats tied the game up 5 seconds lader on a layup by CJ Vick. The bobcats then stole the ball and CJ Vick was fouled going up for a layup and made one of the free throws to give the Bobcats a 6-5 lead. Kevin Jolley extended the lead to 8-5 when he hit two free throws at the 16:58 mark. just over a minute later Rob Monroe extended the lead to 10-5, the biggest lead Quinnipiac would have all game.

Momentum started to turn at the 14:54 mark when Rich Pittman hit an easy layup to cut the lead to 10-7. After two missed layups by Christian Burns the Blue Devils stormed down the court and Tristan Blackwood hit a wide open three pointer to tie the game at ten. The lead would change six times and would be tied twice before the game was tied at 20 at the half way point in the first half. Then at the 9:11 mark Karl Anderson hit a layup to give the Bobcats a 22-20 lead, which would be the last time they would lead this season. That started a 12-2 run started by a three pointer by Javier Mojica. The run would continue to a 28-10 run to finish up the first half.

Flashback, last week when 1.955 fans filled the Burt Kahn Court, the Bobcats were down 36-24 at halftime and cut the lead to two.

The Bobcats would look to do what they did last week; and it started to look good as Rob Monroe started the second half with a layup but Karl Anderson commited the stupidest foul ever created in Quinnipiac History and Rich Pittman extended the lead to 50-32. Later on Kevin Jolley hit a layup to cut the lead to 16. A few minutes later Kevin Jolley hit a cumpter to cut the lead to 11. After a Demario Anderson layup, Rob Monroe ran down the court to hit a three pointer to cut the lead to 10 causing CCSU's coach Howie to blow a timeout. But Quinnipiac's run was far from over as Monroe hit a lay up and a free throw. The finally a few minutes later Crain Benson hit a three pointer to cut the lead to nine. At the 4:46 mark Rob Monroe hit another three pointer to cut the lead to eight, 81-73. CCSU's Justin Chiera went down and tried to hit a three pointer but he missed, Kevin Jolley got the rebound threw it down court and Crain Benson hit a three pointer to cut the lead to 81-76, forceing Howie to call another time out.

The Crazy Bobcats in attendance were starting to go nuts thinking that this season would continue. Then Kevin Jolley commited a foul and Jason Hickenbottom hit two freethrows to extend the lead to 83-76. Rob Monrow then hit his first freethrow but missed the second but Karl Anderson got the rebound the threw the ball home to close the lead to 83-79. Then Jason Hickenbottom drove to the hoop and a defensive foul was called on Da-Shawn Dwight which according to Crazy Bobcat fans in the stands was a Bull$h^& call, that entended the lead to 87-79. Then Kevin Jolley attempted to throw a full court pass that was picked off by Rich Pittman who passsed to Javier Mojica who was fouled by Van Crafton and Mojica hit both free throws to extend CCSU's lead to 87-79. with just under two minutes left. Rob Monroe hit two free throws to cut the lead to 6 but that was all QU had left, Rich Pittman hit a jumper and then Rob Monroe threw up the worst looking three pointer which was rebounded by Javier Mojica who threw the ball the length of the court to Demario Anderson who nailed a dunk which also nailed the final nail into the Season Casket for Quinnipiac. CCSU went on to win the game 95-85.

For a season that started so well it was a shame to have it end this way. starting the season 4-2, only to go on a losing streak capped off by losting to the defending NCAA Champion UCONN Huskies 123-71. But what ruined the Bobcats this year was not being able to hold onto a lead, as they lost to St. Francis of NY 69-63 earlier this year after leading 51-50 with a few minutes left in the game. Quinnipiac this season proved to be a one half team, they would either play a fantastic first half and a horrible second half or a great first half of a half and the second half of the second half but not a full game. Why? Isn't this the same Quinnipiac team that was picked to win the NEC championship last season and make it to the sweet 16? Isn't this the same team with Rob Monroe and CJ Vick? The answer is easy and it lies within the coaching staff here at Quinnipiac University and as long as Joe DeSantis is still in charge the men will not do anything.

Tonight the women's basketball team faces off against St. Francis of NY and if the Bobcats win then they will host a playoff game on Saturday.


~Chag