GAME CENTER:

Friday, Nov. 9 – 8 p.m. Post at Molloy Quealy Gymnasium – Rockville Centre, N.Y. Coverage: Live Stats | Video

Saturday, Nov. 10 – 4 p.m. Post vs. Queens Quealy Gymnasium – Rockville Centre, N.Y.

 
The Post University men's basketball team will begin its third season under the direction of head coach Al Sokaitis this weekend as the Eagles travel to the Molloy Tip-Off Tournament for a pair of non-conference contests. Post will open against the host Molloy Lions Friday night and round out the event against Queens on Saturday afternoon.
 
Four players are back for their second seasons at Post including CACC Honorable Mention Jake Wilcox (Kent, Wash.). He is joined by juniors Jerry Cummings (Queens, N.Y.) and Zach Krischer (Port Jefferson, N.Y.) and senior Sarunas Jackson (Inland Empire, Calif.). Nine newcomers will suit up in the season-opener for Post on Friday night.
 
Notes:
Eagles In Season-Openers:
Since the 2003-04 season, Post is 3-6 in the first game of the season and the program is in search of its first season-opening win under Sokaitis. The last time the Eagles started the season 1-0 was in 2008-09 when they netted a 73-68 victory at Adelphi. Against current members of the ECC, Post is 1-0 in the first game of the year. The Eagles opened the 2005-06 campaign with a 72-65 victory over NYIT in a tournament at Bridgeport.
 
Sharp Shooter:
Last season, Zach Krischer led the CACC in three-point field goal percentage with a mark of 48.2. In fact his percentage from distance was better than his overall field goal percentage (47.7). Nationally, Krischer sat 82^nd in three-point field goals made per game with an average of 2.39.
 
Internationally Known:
Post men's basketball head coach Al Sokaitis was named the Tanzania national head coach of the men's and women's basketball programs on Aug. 29. The goal is for the country to qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio.
 
All-Time Series With Molloy:
After it dropped the first all-time meeting, Post has earned victories in the last two against Molloy. The Eagles are 2-1 all-time against the Lions and are 1-1 in road contests.
Previous Results:
1/19/09............. A.... W, 82-60
2/23/08............. H.... W, 82-71
11/21/06........... A..... L, 74-71
 
Scouting The Lions:
Molloy was picked to finish fourth and garnered one first place vote in the ECC Preseason Coaches' Poll. Last season, the Lions compiled an 8-19 record and a 5-11 mark in conference play, but they return four of their top five scorers from the 2011-12 squad. Molloy brings back All-ECC Second Team choices John Petrucelli (17.9 points per game) and Jimmy Nolan (17.2 points per game). Matt McLeod, an ECC All-Rookie Team selection, is back as well. McLeod averaged 10.6 points per game. Petrucelli, Nolan and McLeod ranked first, second and third on the Lions in scoring, respectively.
 
All-Time Series With Queens:
Post and Queens have only met on neutral floors and that trend will continue on Saturday. The Eagles are 2-0 against the Knights and the matchup will be the second in as many seasons. Post won the contest last year on a three-pointer by Zach Krischer with two seconds remaining. Queens had a chance to win at the buzzer, but missed a triple attempt.
Previous Results:
1/2/12............... N.... W, 71-70
1/3/09............... N.... W, 88-73
 
Scouting The Knights:
Queens was chosen to finish eighth out of the 10-team ECC on Nov. 6. Last season the Knights went 4-22 overall and 3-13 in conference play. Queens is under the direction of 17^th-year head coach Kyrk Peponakis.
 
On The Horizon:
Post will continue its season-opening four-game road trip at Nyack on Wednesday, Nov. 14. The Eagles and Warriors will open CACC play at 8 p.m.