Complete Game Notes as a PDF
TOUGH WEEK AHEAD
The Southern Connecticut State University men's basketball team is scheduled for two games this week against two of the top three teams in the Northeast-10 Conference. On Wednesday, January 6 they host top ranked Stonehill at 7:30 p.m. in Moore Field House. They end the week with a road game against Bentley on Saturday, January 9. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
OUT-OF-CONFERENCE SHOWDOWN
The Owls claimed a 58-56 win over Dowling in the team's last game of 2009. With six seconds remaining and the game tied at 56 a piece, Chris Harris drove to the lane and found a streaking Clyde Chapman who hit the game-winning lay-up as time expired. Chapman finished the game with 11 points and six rebounds. Tobin Carberry had a game-high 23 points as he dropped 20 in the first half. Dowling as a team scored just 24 points at halftime.
NORTHEAST-10 FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Tobin Carberry has been selected Northeast-10 Conference Freshman of the Week on two occasions this season. On December 14 he was rewarded for his performance against Assumption in which he scored 31 points on 10-for-17 shooting. He was honored once again on January 4 as he averaged 21 points in two games including 23 points in the win over Dowling.
WHAT A RUN
On Wednesday, December 2 the Owls knocked off undefeated Adelphi 60-57 in one of the program's most impressive victories in recent memory. Southern trailed by as much as 15 points with over seven minutes to play in regulation but remained composed. Freshman Ante Cosic hit a lay-up at the 6:37 mark to begin an incredible 20-0 run by the Owls. A desperation three by the Panthers with one second remaining was no good as Southern claimed a 60-57 victory, handing Adelphi its first loss of the season.
INCREASED PRODUCTION
In his first three games this season, sophomore Kieran Ramsey saw just 17 minutes per game as he averaged 2.7 points and 4 rebounds. However, over the next three games Ramsey saw his minutes go up and as a result, so did his production on the court. In that span he averaged 33.7 minutes, 13 points and 6 rebounds per game. He ranked second on the team in points and also recorded his first double-double of the season against AIC with 11 points and 11 boards.
DISHIN' THE ROCK
As of December 30, sophomore guard Chris Harris ranked third in the Northeast-10 Conference in assists with an average of 5.5 per game. He also recorded a new career-high against Le Moyne earlier in the season as he dished out 11 assists.
DEADLY FROM DEEP
The Owls were hitting 41% of their shots during their first 10 games of the season from behind-the-arc. The team's .410 three-point percentage was tied for first in the Northeast-10 alongside Merrimack.
OFFENSIVE THREAT
The Owls have found their scoring threat for the 2009-10 season, one they lacked a year ago. Freshman guard Tobin Carberry leads the squad with 19.3 points per game and ranks sixth in the NE-10.
LIGHTS OUT
In the team's loss to Le Moyne, junior guard Andrew Zito and freshman guard Tobin Carberry combined for 8-for-15 shooting from behind-the-arc. Zito had a stretch of four consecutive three's as he matched a career-high, 18 points.
IMPRESSIVE DEBUT
In his first game as an Owl, freshman Tobin Carberry shot 8-for-10 from the floor and 10-for-15 from the charity stripe as he dropped 28 points against Felician. Carberry also lead the team defensively with three steals and was named to the Northeast-10 Conference Weekly Honor Roll for his performance.
KEY RETURNERS
The Owls have just five returning players from last year's squad but they will be looked upon to lead the team this season. Senior John Mazzarella was a force down low in 2008-09 and his leadership will play a pivotal role for the Owls in 2009-10. Juniors Lance Long and Andrew Zito return with six years of veteran experience and sophomores Chris Harris and Kieran Ramsey look to improve on impressive freshman seasons.
WELCOME ABOARD
The Owls welcome seven newcomers to this year's squad including veterans Johnnie Bird, Clyde Chapman and Dexton Williamson and freshmen Tobin Carberry, Brandon Ennis, Ante Cosic and Jonathan Schofield.
IN THE NORTHEAST-10 PRESEASON POLL
The Owls have been ranked No. 16 in this year's Northeast-10 Preseason Coaches Poll.
GOING OUT STRONG
On Feb. 24, 2009, the Owls honored their three senior class members; Terron Jones, Preston Bell and Justin Gardenhire before their game against Le Moyne. In his final game as an Owl, Jones dropped a career-high 27 points as he went 9-for-17 from the floor and 9-for-12 from the line. He also grabbed six boards, had two steals and blocked one shot to earn recognition on the Northeast-10 Weekly Honor Roll. Bell joined him on the weekly honor roll for his stellar performance as he scored 19 points on 7-for-12 shooting. He also pulled down five boards and was a defensive force with four steals. Gardenhire dished out a career-high eight assists and added seven points to end his career at Southern.
STEPPING UP
On Saturday, Feb. 21, 2009, freshman forward Kieran Ramsey stepped right up for the Owls as he dropped a career-high 22 points on 10-for-16 shooting. He also grabbed 13 boards; both stats were game-highs. Saturday's double-double against Merrimack was Ramsey's fifth of the season. As a freshman, Ramsey proved he can be a strong contributor for the Owls in years to come.
LEADING THE OFFENSE
Derrick Corbett led the Owls in scoring during the 2008-09 campaign with a total of 272 points, averaging 11.3 points per game. Joining Corbett in double-digits were seniors Preston Bell and Terron Jones. Bell and Jones finished their senior seasons with 11.3 and 10.9 points per game respectively. Corbett also led the Owls in 3-point field goals made with 39 on 113 attempts (.345). He was second on the team in 3-point field goal percentage behind sophomore Lance Long who made .421 percent from behind-the-arc but only took 19 attempts. Jones made the most trips to the line and shot a team-best .811 percent from the charity stripe and freshman Chris Harris was the leading assist man with 2.7 per game.
BLOCK PARTY
John Mazzarella finished the 2008-09 season ranked third in the Northeast-10 Conference in blocks per game with 2.42. Earlier in the season, Mazzarella had a career-high seven blocks against Pace (1/10). He also had two games this season in which he blocked six shots each.
OVERTIME THRILLER
On Feb. 10, 2009, the Owls faced off against St. Michael's for the second time during the season and first time at Moore Field House. The Purple Knights forced overtime but the Owls remained composed. In the final five minutes, freshman guard Chris Harris took control and dropped two buckets to tie the game at 64-64. With 31 seconds remaining, senior guard Terron Jones was fouled and sent to the line. He hit one of two foul shots to give his team the lead and the victory, 65-64.
LEADING THE OWLS TO VICTORY
In the game against St. Michael's (2/10), Terron Jones had the game of his career. He dropped 21 points on 8-for-11 shooting and grabbed 11 boards, both career-highs. Most importantly, his performance led the Owls to their first Northeast-10 win. Jones was also 5-for-6 from the line and made the game winning foul shot with 31 seconds remaining to defeat St. Michael's in overtime, 65-64. The Purple Knights had no answer for Jones as he continuously made great back-door cuts for easy lay-ups.
DOWNLOW PRESENCE
Junior center John Mazzarella and freshman forward Kieran Ramsey had a combined 46 rebounds in two conference games on Nov. 19 and Nov. 22. Mazzarella had back-to-back games with a career-high 15 rebounds a piece and totaled six blocks. Against St. Rose (11/22) he dropped a double-double with 10 points and 15 boards. On Nov. 22, Ramsey recorded his second double-double in only his fourth game with the Owls and set a career-high 16 points against Saint Michael's.
OWLS ON THE HONOR ROLL
Chris Harris and Tobin Carberry have been named to the Northeast-10 Conference Weekly Honor Roll on this season.
ON DECK
The Owls return to Moore Field House on January 12 to host NE-10 opponent Saint Michael's. Game time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
