Mount St. Mary's secured a 10-point victory over Canisius at the Koessler Athletic Center, with a strong second-half performance propelling them to a 78-68 win. The game was closely contested in the first half, with Mount St. Mary's trailing by just one point at halftime, 34-33. However, they came out firing in the second half, outscoring Canisius 45-34 to seal the win.
Arlandus Keyes was the standout performer for Mount St. Mary's, scoring 22 points and grabbing 6 rebounds. He was supported by a balanced attack, with Trey Deveaux adding 16 points and Luke McEldon contributing 10 points and 7 rebounds. The Mountaineers' ability to share the ball and create scoring opportunities was a key factor in their victory.
For Canisius, Bryan Ndjonga was the top performer, scoring 22 points, pulling down 8 rebounds, and dishing out 5 assists. Kahlil Singleton also had a strong game, scoring 21 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Mountaineers' balanced attack. Despite Ndjonga's impressive all-around performance, Canisius struggled to contain Mount St. Mary's in the second half, allowing them to pull away.
The game was marked by a series of runs, with Mount St. Mary's using a 12-4 surge midway through the second half to take control. Canisius tried to mount a comeback, but the Mountaineers' defense held firm, limiting the Golden Griffins to just 34 points in the second half.
This win is a Quadrant 4 victory for Mount St. Mary's, which may not significantly boost their tournament resume, but it does help to improve their overall record to 9-13. For Canisius, the loss is also a Quadrant 4 defeat, which will likely have minimal impact on their tournament chances. However, with a record of 8-13, the Golden Griffins must string together some wins to improve their postseason prospects.
The outcome of this game highlights the importance of a balanced attack in college basketball. Mount St. Mary's ability to share the ball and create scoring opportunities was a key factor in their victory, and it's an aspect of their game that they want to build on in future contests. As the season enters its final stretch, both teams want to make a push for a strong finish, and this game will be an important learning experience for both squads. With this win, Mount St. Mary's takes a step in the right direction, but they must continue to perform at a high level to make a significant impact on their tournament chances.