Men's College Basketball
#1 Siena College 74, #2 Rider University 53
MAAC Championship Game
ALBANY, NY?Despite yet another ?double-double' by senior Jason Thompson (Mt. Laurel/Lenape), the Broncs lost to the top seed and tournament host, Siena, in the Championship Game of the 2008 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship Tournament Monday night on ESPN2. Everyone at Rider is hoping Jason gets a chance to compile another ?double-double' in a Rider uniform.
Rider defeated Siena by 14 points in the same building a month ago, and tied Siena for the regular season title, but the basketball gods that were so good to Rider (23-10) during the regular season, turned on the Broncs in post-season, as three starters went down in the quarterfinals. Second Team All-MAAC guard Ryan Thompson (Mt. Laurel/Lenape) was lost for the tournament with a concussion, an ankle injury to point guard Justin Robinson (London, England/Blair Academy) prevented him from playing in the semifinals and starting the title game, and junior Harris Mansell (Cheltenham, PA/Cheltenham) was gutting his way through the pain of a sprained ankle to play at less than 50 percent healthy in the semifinals and finals.
“Our weekend got off to a rough start with the injuries,” the MAAC Coach of the Year, Tommy Dempsey said. “Obviously we would have liked to have played this game at full strength, but you can't make excuses. We weren't at full strength last night and we played much better. It is just a tough time to have guys out, when your season is on the line.”
J. Thompson carried the team on his back to a win in the semifinals, but against Siena (22-10) it took more than just a 22-point, 12-rebound, two-block effort from the future NBA player to lead Rider to victory.
“I thought Jason played great,” Dempsey said. “He showed a lot of grit. He certainly wanted to take his team and his University to the NCAA tournament, and I thought that was on display tonight. He gave a great effort and did everything he could to keep us in the game.”
“I just tried to do all the little things to get us out of here with a victory,” said J. Thompson, who compiled the 23rd ?double-double' of the season and the 53rd of his career to earn MAAC All-Tournament team honors with junior Harris Mansell (Cheltenham, PA). “I just hope my college career isn't over. We tied for the regular season championship, we have 23 wins, so I think we should have a shot at the NIT.”
“Siena had the automatic NIT bid by gaining the top seed through a tie-breaking procedure that came down to who beat the sixth place team,” Dempsey explained. “Obviously they don't need the bid now so I feel we deserve it with the season we had. To win a school-record 23 games, to beat a Big Ten and a Big East team, with an NBA first-round pick that should be showcased in the NIT, I think we should be in the NIT.”
Rider enjoyed its finest regular season ever, with a record 21 wins in the regular season, and despite the injuries, won two games in the post-season. “I think last night's win took a lot out of us, both emotionally and physically,” Dempsey said. “We just looked like we didn't have it in the tank tonight.”
Rider was held to a season-low 53 points. “Siena did a good job with the pressure defense,” Dempsey said, “they were disruptive with it. We just didn't have it tonight, for whatever reason, but our kids were fighting hard.”
Siena led 54-45 mid-way through the second half before going on a 20-2 run, six points each by Kenny Hasbrouck and Tay Fisher, to take a 71-47 lead. “In the second half they just made big shot after big shot,” Dempsey said. “Siena played terrific tonight,” Dempsey said. “They played inspired.”
Fisher finished with 21 points off the bench on his birthday, while Hasbrouck added 17.
Rider trailed 23-22 with 7:07 left in the first half before Siena went on a 14-4 run, nine points by Fisher on three three-pointers, to take a 37-26 lead, and Siena led 41-30 at the half. “Fisher was a big difference,” Dempsey said. “He broke open a very competitive game in the first half.”
With 11 wins in Alumni Gym this year, the Broncs gave their fans a reason to send bus loads to Albany to support their team. Rider ranked in the top ten nationally in shooting, had the fourth longest winning streak in the nation, and had one of the best seasons ever, along with a future NBA player.
“I hope the season is not over,” Dempsey said. “I think this team deserves an NIT bit.”
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