gpikePatriot League Final Preview
March 11th 2011 01:05
The lone tournament final game on Friday is in the Patriot League. Top-seeded Bucknell will host upstart Lafayette who upset second-seeded American in the semifinals. Bucknell is 24-8 on the year, 13-1 in conference play. Lafayette stands at 13-18, 6-8 in the Patriot conference. Bucknell swept the season series.
The Bucknell Bison had little or no trouble with everyone else in the conference. The Bison's only loss came to last place Army, 90-70. Looking at the Bison's schedule, this game was very uncharacteristic for them. They don't give up this many points very often, or they lose. Bucknell's high point total on the season was 81. The Bison accomplished this versus Lehigh on January, 26th. Bucknell battled with Villanova on the opening night of the season, before bowing down, 68-52. They have the talent to compete with the best teams of the country.
The Bison are lead by Mike Muscala, and Bryson Johnson. Muscala is the muscle underneath while Johnson stands as the sharpshooter. Muscala averaged 15 points and eight rebounds during the year. Johnson assisted with 12 points. Muscala struggled both times versus Lafayette. Johnson on the other hand, came through with a huge performance in the final game between the two. He scored 31 points to lead Bucknell to a slim five point win in overtime.
Lafayette Leopards had an interesting year, to say the least. They opened the season losing six out of their first seven games. They never recovered until the Patriot tournament began. The Leopards nearly had American's number on the season finale, just losing 93-91 in two overtimes. American finished the year at 22-9. They were a huge favorite for the semifinal matchup between the two on Sunday. Instead another two overtime game occured with the Leopards this time besting American, 73-71. Jim Mower was the hero of the game for the Leopards, drilling a three-pointer with less then a second remaining.
Jared Mintz leads the Leopards with 16 points and six rebounds. Mower averages 12 points. Neither guy did much during the regular season against the Bison. Though Mower did score 19 points in the overtime matchup of the two.
Both teams have a solid inside and outside presence, though Bucknell with the homecourt advantage is the easy favorite. The Bison win the game, though expect another battle.
The Bucknell Bison had little or no trouble with everyone else in the conference. The Bison's only loss came to last place Army, 90-70. Looking at the Bison's schedule, this game was very uncharacteristic for them. They don't give up this many points very often, or they lose. Bucknell's high point total on the season was 81. The Bison accomplished this versus Lehigh on January, 26th. Bucknell battled with Villanova on the opening night of the season, before bowing down, 68-52. They have the talent to compete with the best teams of the country.
The Bison are lead by Mike Muscala, and Bryson Johnson. Muscala is the muscle underneath while Johnson stands as the sharpshooter. Muscala averaged 15 points and eight rebounds during the year. Johnson assisted with 12 points. Muscala struggled both times versus Lafayette. Johnson on the other hand, came through with a huge performance in the final game between the two. He scored 31 points to lead Bucknell to a slim five point win in overtime.
Lafayette Leopards had an interesting year, to say the least. They opened the season losing six out of their first seven games. They never recovered until the Patriot tournament began. The Leopards nearly had American's number on the season finale, just losing 93-91 in two overtimes. American finished the year at 22-9. They were a huge favorite for the semifinal matchup between the two on Sunday. Instead another two overtime game occured with the Leopards this time besting American, 73-71. Jim Mower was the hero of the game for the Leopards, drilling a three-pointer with less then a second remaining.
Jared Mintz leads the Leopards with 16 points and six rebounds. Mower averages 12 points. Neither guy did much during the regular season against the Bison. Though Mower did score 19 points in the overtime matchup of the two.
Both teams have a solid inside and outside presence, though Bucknell with the homecourt advantage is the easy favorite. The Bison win the game, though expect another battle.
Bryson Johnson and Bucknell aim for another win
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