Taking a step back, Marist basketball is at a buzz in January 2025 the school has not seen in years.
After wins Thursday night against Niagara followed by a Saturday matinee against Canisius, both the men’s and women’s basketball teams at Marist College—now university, as of today—are riding win streaks with positive win-loss records ahead of the MAAC tournament.
While success from the men’s Red Foxes was expected this year, this weekend was the third time in program history that men’s basketball swept their games in Western New York, according to Marist Athletics. It seems the Bills were not the only teams in the Buffalo area disappointed this weekend.
The sweep was far from easy due to late-game theatrics and an overtime win at Niagara on Jan. 23. Neither team maintained a lead greater than six points throughout the contest.
Amid the nail-biter entered Jadin Collins-Roberts, whose career-high 11 assists let Marist break free on the final possession with a picture-perfect pass to junior forward Jaden Daughtry for a game-winning bucket with 0.5 seconds on the clock in overtime.
Around an hour later in Poughkeepsie, in a swift effort from four Marist women’s basketball players scoring in double-digits, the Red Foxes took down Niagara with a double-double effort from standout center Morgan Lee. Though handling a roster with only seven players suiting up on the Purple Eagles side, the win was Marist’s second game scoring over 70 points.
Then came Saturday. A chance to enter February games riding win streaks, with only Canisius in the way (ranked last in men’s MAAC standings, tenth in women’s). The Red Foxes did not disappoint.
After an impressive 40-20 second-half scoring effort, men’s basketball took down Canisius to leave town riding a two-game win streak. Back in Poughkeepsie, a Lee-led women’s squad with 18 points and a team 28-point third quarter, the Red Foxes extended their win streak to four games with a 67-48 victory.
After recent low points in both teams’ seasons, the win streaks for the men’s and women’s teams are crucial, no matter the length.
Marist fell short of a unique historic accomplishment, losing their nine-game win streak in a smooth and steady effort from Rider Broncs guard Flash Burton on Jan. 18. It would have been the first 10-game win streak for Marist basketball in 38 years, dating back to the golden age of Dunking Dutchman Rik Smits.
Despite offensive performance in the latter three games for women’s basketball, the Red Foxes hit rock bottom when they put up an eight-point first half and 31 points succumb to the Fairfield Stags dominance on Jan. 11. Truth be told, the Stags are simply unbeatable.
Outscoring MAAC opponents by around 30 points on average, Fairfield leads the MAAC in field goal percentage, 3-pointers made and turnover margin.
Two low points for the men’s and women’s teams have created opportunities to bounce back. The loss to Rider for men’s basketball was just a bump in the road, retaining the No. 1 seed in the MAAC with an 8-1 conference record.
Their next game brings excitement: a flexed-in ESPNU late-night rivalry matchup against the Siena Saints on Friday night at McCann Arena.
Despite new conference opponent Merrimack looming—tied at 8-1 with Marist and led by electric sophomore guard Budd Clark (second in MAAC points per game, first in assists), the latest game on Friday should be a test to see if Marist can handle the bright lights before Atlantic City.
Sophomore guard Josh Pascarelli continues to shine for John Dunne’s squad, third in MAAC scoring, and had 15 points against Canisius.
Marist women’s basketball, third in the MAAC, travels to Albany on Jan. 30 to take on Siena. They then have a second opportunity against Fairfield.
Lee continues to give opposing forwards and centers trouble in the post, complimented by multiple scoring wings like freshman guard Danielle Williamsen and redshirt junior guard Lexie Tarul.
Combined, the Marist squads are 15-2 at home. With both teams impressing, Marist is producing some of its best basketball product in years.
Women’s coach Erin Doughty understood the value of student fans and the importance of both teams’ combined success in the 2024-25 season, sending a letter to Marist students on social media to invite fans to McCann.
At the height of success and expectations, two questions remain: will fans rally around the success, and can both squads maintain their play in the MAAC Tournament?
Edited by Marley Pope
Graphic by Quinn DiFiore; Photos from Kira Crutcher and Jaylen Rizzo
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