Marist men’s basketball led wire-to-wire in a dominating win over Bucknell University 73-47 in their first home game of the season. The Red Foxes poured in 12 three-pointers and shot an efficient 56 percent from the floor, scoring a season-high 73 points.
Two breakout games from sophomore guard Jaden Daughtry and junior guard Noah Harris powered the Red Foxes (3-2) past the Bison (2-6). Daughtry scored a career-high 12 points along with three blocks while Harris drained five shots from behind the arc.
Both teams were in search of a bounce back game entering the matchup as the Red Foxes dropped their second straight game last time out against New Hampshire. Meanwhile, Bucknell lost in their most recent game against St. Bonaventure on November 22nd.
For the first time this season, sophomore guard Isaiah Brickner was inserted into the starting lineup, replacing freshman guard Josh Pascarelli. Brickner has led the team in assists (4.5) and rebounds (5.0) per game in four games off the bench.
Marist’s Daughtry set the tone early with a block on the perimeter on one end and a corner three on the other. After the Red Foxes struggled from three in the first few games, they started out 2-2, with Brickner adding a stepback three to give Marist a 10-5 lead five minutes in.
The Red Foxes hot shooting continued, with three straight field goals from behind the arc. Marist’s top scorer sophomore center Max Allen threw a skip pass out of a double team in the post, finding Harris for an open three, which Harris buried. Bucknell called a timeout down 19-9 with 10:25 left in the half and Marist shooting 5-8 from deep.
Daughtry continuously made plays all over the floor, tallying his third block of the half which was followed by a score off the glass. Harris came off the bench on fire, hitting his third three-pointer in six minutes with a tough step back. Harris’ heat check extended the Red Foxes lead to 27-15 with 7:15 remaining in the half.
Harris went on to nail two more threes, making him 5-6 from behind the arc. Harris’ shotmaking and tough team defense gave Marist a 15-point lead. After a Bucknell turnover, Harris found Daughtry streaking down the floor for a two-handed flush and an exclamation on the Red Foxes’ play to that point. They went into the last timeout of the first half leading 37-23.
Bucknell provided little response to Marist’s offensive explosion, including leading scorer and sharpshooter senior guard Jack Forrest going 0-8 in the first half. Sophomore forward Ruot Bijiek and junior guard Josh Bascoe kept the Bison in range with 10 points and nine points each. Bucknell’s nine second-chance points and offensive rebounding was the only bright spot for the Bison in the first half.
At the end of the first half, Marist led 39-27 behind complementary basketball. While shooting 60 percent from three, the Red Foxes also played good defense, holding Bucknell to 33 percent from the floor and forcing seven turnovers. At the half, Harris led all scorers with 15 off the bench and Daughtry followed him with seven for Marist.
The Red Foxes started the second half the same as the first, continuing to hit from distance with a Daughtry three-pointer. Forrest finally got on the board early in the half, scoring his first basket of the game for Bucknell, looking to make a comeback in the second frame.
Marist expanded the lead to 20-plus after a steal and lay-in by sophomore forward Trace Salton. Salton finished with six points while Bucknell was 1-8 shooting at the 13:31 mark in the second half. The Bison offensive struggles led to another Daughtry slam dunk on a fast break after a steal. Marist led 54-31 with 11:39 remaining in the game.
A 9-2 run over several minutes pushed the Red Foxes lead close to 30 as Bucknell continued their dreadful shooting; 3-18 overall in the second half. Bascoe ended a four-minute scoring drought with a three-pointer and led the Bison with 14 points and three assists.
With 1:54 left, walk-on sophomore forward Mack Wall entered the game to finish off a dominating Marist win. Junior forward Jackson Price provided great minutes off the bench with nine points, eight rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
Bucknell’s offensive woes were highlighted by Forrest’s 1-14 day, including 0-8 from three. The Red Foxes did not let up defensively in the second half, with the Bison’s shooting percentage continuing to dip throughout the game.
Marist will turn the page to MAAC play on the road against last season’s regular and tournament champion Iona. Last year’s MAAC tournament final rematch is on Wednesday, November 29th at Hynes Athletic Center with tipoff set for 7 p.m.
Edited by: Aidan Lavin
Photo: Jonathan Kinane
