Sophomore guard Jadin Collins-Roberts dished out a career-high 11 assists in Marist men’s basketball’s 67-65 overtime victory over Niagara Thursday evening. The point guard facilitated the Red Foxes’ offense, generating open looks for his teammates through ball screens while adding 12 key points in the tight affair.
“His vision was excellent. He had some nice shotmaking going on too– two threes in the first half and a big baseline pullup. I’m glad to see him get rewarded for his hard work. He had a heck of a game,” said Marist head coach John Dunne.
Neither team led by more than six points at any point, adding to the plethora of dramatic games between Marist (14-3, 7-1 MAAC) and Niagara (7-12, 2-6 MAAC) in recent years. Tonight had nine ties and 12 lead changes in a cagey MAAC game.
Along with Collins-Roberts, the Red Foxes got a big boost from freshman center Tarik Watson, tallying a career-high 12 points, including the game-tying bucket in overtime with 38 seconds left.
With the game tied at 65 in overtime, Collins-Roberts lasered a pass to junior forward Jaden Daughtry to take the lead with .5 seconds left, leaving the Purple Eagles no chance to tie or hit a game-winner.
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“[Niagara] is very aggressive with their ball screen coverage and we knew the rolls would be open. If not the roll, the quick ball reversal. We kept it simple and it worked out for us,” said Dunne.
In the closing minutes of regulation, Marist failed to score in the last 3:30, opening the door for Niagara to tie trailing by four. Purple Eagles junior guard Josiah Davis tied the game with 22 seconds left in regulation, and neither team scored after. Davis finished 13 points and five rebounds in a courageous effort on both ends.
Marist sophomore guard Josh Pascarelli scored 11 points on just seven shots, nailing three 3-pointers, two of which kept Marist afloat in the second half while shooting 35% overall. Three other Purple Eagles scored in double-figures but the team shot 2-11 from three as the team while averaging 8.5 makes per game this season.
“We were going over a lot of their handoffs and ball screens. We did a nice job of not allowing them to get into the drive and kick that they’re really good at. But then they scored around the rim a little bit too much for my liking,” said Dunne.
In the first half, Marist made five of their first seven shots to earn an early lead but quickly got into foul trouble with several tight calls. Niagara took advantage with six points from the free-throw line.
A 7-2 Niagara mini-run forced a Marist timeout getting their first lead with 8:00 left in the first half 17-16. Collins-Roberts responded by pouring in 10 points and four assists including two 3-pointers.
The efficient offense continued for both teams for the rest of the half with nobody able to get stops on defense. With two seconds left, graduate center Jaylon Martinez scored a putback layup to give the Purple Eagles a 32-31 halftime lead.
Marist shot 62% in the first half and Niagara 57% where the Red Foxes shared the ball well with 11 assists on 13 made field goals. Four of Marist’s five 3-point makes were from the top of the key, finding the space in Niagara’s defense.
To begin the second half, Niagara came out firing with seven quick points to lead by six within two minutes. Marist fought back to cut it to one but the Purple Eagles scored seven straight, forcing a timeout with 13:13 left in the game.
Watson scored 10 points in 15 minutes with many scores off the pick-and-roll with Collins-Roberts. With 11 minutes left, Pascarelli had just three shot attempts, leaving a void in the Red Foxes offense that Watson helped fill.
“We really needed him today. It was a good game for his toughness. Because he’s been engaged and been a good teammate, he was ready for the opportunity,” said Dunne.
Marist took their first lead of the second half behind a 7-0 run, including a Pascarelli 3-pointer after an offensive rebound. Niagara’s offense slowed without a score in over four minutes.
In a ridiculous sequence, possession changed three times in a matter of seconds before Marshall picked up loose change and scored. On the next possession, Pascarelli answered with a big 3-pointer off another offensive rebound to put Marist up four with 3:57 remaining.
With the Red Foxes without a score since that bucket, they leaned on their defense to make stops until Davis tied the game with 22 seconds left.
Marist thought they had possession with 11 seconds left but during a timeout, the officials changed possession to Niagara, leaving the Marist staff stunned. Niagara took the last shot but missed and the game headed to overtime.
Niagara went to a five-guard lineup in overtime, attempting to spread the floor and open driving lanes. The strategy worked, making 2-3 shots and drawing three fouls but missing two free throws.
“I was trusting Jackson Price, we were switching the ball screens at that point. For the most part, we did a pretty good job. We had to make a decision when he fouled out, do we go small and matchup with them?” said Dunne.
Senior forward Jackson Price fouled out in overtime and Dunne called Watson’s number to return and finish the game. He then tied the game with 38 seconds left.
On Niagara’s last full possession, Marist stood up and forced a shot-clock violation. Dunne then put the ball in the hands of his point guard, who made a winning play to seal the win.
“We had multiple opportunities to put the game away, to go up multiple scores. [Niagara] getting the ball back [with 11 seconds in regulation] and getting that stop then show up in overtime. It shows some mental strength and resiliency,” said Dunne.
Marist finishes their Buffalo trip against Canisius on Saturday, January 23. Tipoff at Koessler Athletic Center is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Edited by: Aidan Lavin
Photo: Jaylen Rizzo; Graphic: Cara Lacey
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