Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Guest Contributor Ray Floriani: Rider at St. Peter's

by Ray Floriani

JERSEY CITY, NJ - A team that fell into the ‘what is wrong with’ category suddenly seems alive and well. Rider stopped St.Peter’s 72-66 at Yanitelli Center for their fifth win in their last seven games.

The factors and numbers from a 69 possession game:

FTM
ORtgeFG%FGAOR%TO%
Rider1046318820
St.Peter’s9643233317

In a statistical oddity, reflected by the Offensive Rebounding (TO%) percentage, Rider had two offensive rebounds. When you shoot 71% the second half and 58% for the game, opportunities for offensive boards are scarce. Rider coach Tommy Dempsey also added that defense and rebounding are St.Peter’s’ identity. So while the Broncs made a great percentage of their shots, any misses weren’t automatically going to fall into Rider’s hands.

Prime time. Ryan Thompson, Rider’s outstanding senior guard, had two points (1 of 5 shooting) at the half. He finished with a game high 21 points. Thompson shot 9 of 14 for the game and in the last ten minutes , he responded as his number was frequently called in a 2-3 possession game. Over the course of the final 16 minutes, Thompson had 7 of Rider’s 14 field goals. Once again, you would be hard pressed to find a shot or play he forced.

Rider did a good job on Nick Leon holding the St.Peter’s junior guard and perimeter threat to 10 points on 3 of 11 shooting. Ryan Bacon had a solid 13 point 8 board night while St.Peter’s was paced by Jeron Belin’s 15 points off the bench.

Inside. Peacocks won the battle of the boards 36-28 but Rider did their damage in the paint with a 46-28 scoring advantage. Rider held a 31-26 halftime lead then went inside to Mike Ringgold the first two possessions. The 6-7 junior was too much for St.Peter’s to handle in the paint. He finished with 17 points and shot 8 of 10 from the floor. St.Peter’s assistant John Morton hoped to play Ringgold one on one while location Rider’s other threats as Ryan Thompson. It was a gamble that proved decisive as Ringgold was a force in the paint.

Missing the action. You may have noticed in the prior paragraph a comment by John Morton, the St.Peter’s assistant. Morton ran the team while head coach John Dunne was home sick with the flu. Morton ran the walk through and shoot around in the morning. By late afternoon he found out Dunne could not get to the game and was set to run the team.

“We have taken some hits but we are going to be a tough team to beat in the (MAAC) tournament. We have the experience of having won games in the tournament and that is a big factor.” - Rider coach Tommy Dempsey

“Filling in as head coach wasn’t that difficult. Coach Dunne gives us a lot of responsibility as assistants in practice and implementing a game plan. We had a game plan in place and executed it.” - St.Peter’s assistant John Morton on filling in for John Dunne
Rider's Ryan Thompson
post game press conference

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