The end of November in the college basketball season brought an action-packed week filled with basketball. The Marist men went 1-1 this week with a loss to Maryland Eastern Shore and a win over Bucknell. The Marist women ground out a win over Lafayette in its only game of the week.
The 12 Marist basketball transfers both took advantage of opportunities and squandered some chances in week three. The week saw the return of a highly touted transfer and excellent performances. Let’s dive into how the transfers did in week three.
First, on the men’s side, sophomore guard Jao Ituka is the stud of the week for the transfers. Ituka, Marist’s highly touted transfer, had an excellent week for Wake Forest University. Ituka returned from a knee injury that had sidelined him for the first two weeks of the season.
In his first game back in a victory over South Carolina State University, Ituka played 19 minutes and had 10 points, one rebound, and three assists. Later in the week, Ituka had five points, four rebounds, and one assist in a win over Hampton University. Ituka will look to continue his strong play as the competition level increases.
Graduate student center Victor Enoh took a step back this week for UNC Wilmington. Enoh did not play in all three of UNC Wilmington’s games this week. Center Field is unable to confirm why Enoh did not play this week. If it is an injury, Enoh will look to get healthy and return to the rotation moving forward.
Graduate transfer guard Matt Herasme had an excellent week for the University of New Hampshire. In UNH’s only game of the week (a loss to George Washington) Herasme delivered a solid performance with 15 points, five rebounds, and four assists. In a new environment, Herasme has improved tremendously from a year ago, and he is showing his all-around skill set.
Junior guard Ricardo Wright was unable to gain positive momentum this week for SMU. Wright only played three minutes in an overtime loss to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Wright is struggling to find a role with the Mustangs, and it seems like his days of strong scoring performances at Marist are behind him.
Graduate student forward Braden Bell had a solid week for Prairie View A&M University. Bell had eight points and one rebound in a loss to the University of Texas San Antonio. Later in the week Bell had two points and four rebounds in a loss to Oklahoma State. Bell will look to continue his solid play moving forward.
Graduate student guard Raheim Sullivan struggled to find consistency again this week for the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Sullivan had zero points, three rebounds, and three assists in a win over Sacred Heart University. Later in the week, Sullivan had a solid 12 points, three rebounds, and two assists in a loss to Wagner University. Sullivan will look for more games like the one he had against the Seahawks as the season goes on.
On the women’s side, graduate student guard Sarah Barcello had one point, three rebounds, and two steals in a win over Grambling State University. Later in the week, Barcello had two points, seven rebounds, and one assist in a win over Seattle University. Barcello is filling up the stat sheet for San Diego State this season and contributing in different ways.
Junior guard Anabel Ellison took advantage of increased minutes this week. After not playing in Stetson University’s win over Louisiana Tech University, Ellison had three points, four rebounds, and two assists in a loss to UC San Diego. Ellison also started and had five rebounds and one assist in a win over UAlbany. Ellison will look to continue her strong play and establish herself in the starting rotation.
Senior guard Trey Kennedy struggled to find minutes for George Mason University this week. Kennedy only played five minutes in a win over William & Mary University and played just two minutes against 12th-ranked LSU. They also played three minutes and had two rebounds in a loss to the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Kennedy will look for a spot in the rotation next week.
Heading into week four, the Marist transfers will look to stay healthy and play at a high level.
Edited by Jonathan Kinane
Photo from Marist Athletics