WATERBURY, Conn (February 8, 2011) Post University's basketball teams will travel to Nyack, NY Wednesday evening to take on the Nyack Warriors in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference contest. The women's game begins at 6pm with the men to follow at 8pm.
Women's Basketball:
Wednesday's game marks a crucial battle to keep the Lady Eagles playoff hopes alive. Post University is currently fourth in the CACC North standings and only four teams qualify for the playoffs. The Eagles are 5-7 in the CACC while Nyack stands at 4-9. There are seven games remaining on the regular season schedule. Dominican is on the docket for next week in Waterbury, representing another must win contest against the team ranked fifth in the CACC North.
The Eagles have lost two of their last three games, but by a combined margin of nine points and have been playing a very competitive brand of basketball. Last week it was a road loss against Caldwell 65-61, yet Caldwell is second ranked in the CACC North. Saturday Post University had Goldey Beacom tied at 63 with a minute and a half to play, before the Lightning hit four free throws down the stretch.
Nyack's threat comes in their rebounding. The Warriors are the best in the conference in offensive rebounds, while Post University's struggles in rebounding on the defensive end.
The last time these teams met was on December 11 in Waterbury with the Eagles taking an 84-72 victory. In that game Nyack's Bobby Van Fleet had 24 points and 18 rebounds, 15 of which were on the offensive side of the ball. The team's scoring leader Victoria Sweet scored 21 points adding 13 rebounds. Sweet averages 15.7 points per contest and is ranked 4th in the CACC.
In that same game the Eagles spread out their offensive attack with five players scoring in double figures including Raven Wright-James, Monique Chance, Liz Johnson, Mallorie Michalak, and Kelli Reynolds.
Following Nyack the Eagles host Holy Family on Saturday at 1pm. The Eagles will be participating in the Pink Zone event, which is a nationwide initiative spearheaded by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association designed to raise breast cancer awareness.
Men's Basketball:
Post University's men's basketball team is currently sitting third in the CACC North with a 7-4 conference record. The Eagles have won four of their last seven games and the battle for a playoff position is hotly contested on the men's side as well. Below Post University in fourth is Concordia with an 8-5 CACC record, followed by Felician at 7-7.
The Eagles hosted Nyack on December 11 winning 94-55. Garvin McAlister scored a career high 23 points in the contest with both Rishawn Johnson and Cecil Stinson* adding 15 each.
Post University has made a habit of forcing turnovers this season while taking care of the basketball on their own end. The Eagles are ranked 14th in the nation for turnovers with only 12.1 per game and will look to put pressure on the ball to attack Nyack defensively, a team that averages 18.1 turnovers per game.
The Warriors are led by James Oyamo who is scoring 13.5 points per contest, but was held to only four points when these teams went head to head in December.
Back in Time:
Post University basketball is poised to make a big step forward from 2009-2010. Despite losing three of their top four scorers and their top two rebounders from a year ago, the Eagles have managed a 7-4 league mark. Last season the Eagles ended the season with a 9-9 record in conference and were 13-17 overall.
There are seven games remaining in the regular season. Last year at this same time, Post University was 4-7 in conference and 8-12 overall.
