Way to the top - a promotion dynasty

[randy]

Nov 22, 1997: Albany (1-1) @ Sacramento St (0-2)

1st Half

• 13:40, Up 14-3. ALB made their 1st shot, but missed the next 11.
• 7:51, Up 20-14. ALB able to come back because of our turn overs
• Halftime, Up 37-23. We hit 3 triples and able to score on transition also, towards the end of the 1st half, to extend our lead. ALB shot only 25% FG in the 1st half.

2nd Half

• 15:30, Up 43-30. Our starting guards both on the bench with 3 fouls each.
• 11:18, Up 55-37. We're getting good production from the 3 spot today, with SF Lamoni Williams and SF Shawn Reid scoring 12 pts each.
• 7:48, Up 66-43.
• 3:55, Up 73-52

Our shooters were on target today, hitting 12-25 3PT. Our bench with significant contributions, combing for 26 pts.


Final Score: Albany - 62, Sacramento St - 79


Box Scores
[INDENT]Tiggs 14, 3, 4, 2 stls (*)
Williams 14, 1, 1
Hemsley 13, 4, 5, fouled out
Reid 12, 0, 0
Davis 10, 9, 0
McIntosh 6, 3, 5
Celuck 6, 3, 2
Holiday 2, 9, 3, 2 stls, 3 blks
Osbourne 2, 2, 0
Manheimer 0, 0, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 50-32%
REB: -5 (-9 off)
TO: -2
Pts in paint: -6
2nd chance: -8
Fast break: Even
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Nov 25, 1997: Texas St (2-0) @ Sacramento St (1-2)

SF Shawn Reid is injured (sore foot, 82%, 4 days) and won't play

1st Half

• 13:45, Tied at 12. We have 5 turn overs already. SG Morrow Tiggs 3-5 3PT.
• 7:51, Up 21-20. TEXST in the penalty, but we missed 5 FTs already.
• Halftime, Up 37-35. It's a close game, despite the 20-pt effort by SG Morrow Tiggs. We need to cut down on turn overs; 9 in the 1st half.

2nd Half

• 15:16, Up 44-38. Our defense stepping up, forcing TEXST to commit 5 turn overs already in the 2nd half.
• 11:18, Up 49-45.
• 7:01, Up 64-51. Reserves PG Nyah Celuck (walk on) and SG Mills McIntosh coming up big from the bench, combining for 14 pts.
• 3:55, Up 68-52

SG Morrow Tiggs had a career high in pts, but he got plenty of scoring support in the 2nd half. Our defense in the 2nd half made a big difference.


Final Score: Texas St - 64, Sacramento St - 77


Box Scores
[INDENT]Tiggs 30, 4, 1, 7-12 3PT (*)
Williams 10, 2, 2
Hemsley 9, 3, 5, 2 stls, 4 tos
Holiday 8, 4, 4, 2 blks, fouled out
McIntosh 8, 3, 0
Davis 6, 13, 1
Celuck 6, 1, 4
Osbourne 0, 1, 1
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 48-44%
REB: +1
TO: -5 (12-17)
Pts in paint: -8
2nd chance: Even
Fast break: -3
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Nov 29, 1997: William and Mary (4-0) @ Sacramento St (2-2)

1st Half

• 13:38, Up 16-5. We're playing the kind of fast-paced game we like, fueled by WM's 6 turn overs.
• 7:51, Up 18-9. Our offense slowed down, but our defense and rebounding remained solid.
• Halftime, Up 36-19. Defense was very good every minute of the 1st half, forcing WM to shoot only 30% FG and commit 10 turn overs.

2nd Half

• 15:16, Up 42-29. Outside shooting from WM's Wesley Jarmond (11 pts) got them to a good start in the 2nd half.
• 10:53, Up 51-32. SG Morrow Tiggs leads all scorers with 15 pts, but it is the performance of C Mike Holiday providing the difference in this game not only in scoring (11 pts), but also defending the interior.
• 7:57, Up 55-36.
• 3:52, Up 62-41.

WM able to cut down our lead to 16 with 3 mins left, but consecutive 3pt shots by SG Morrow Tiggs extinguished any hopes of a miracle comeback.

A more balanced scoring today. We connected on 9-21 3PT, and also dominated the pts in the paint for the 1st time this season.


Final Score: William and Mary - 50, Sacramento St - 70


Box Scores
[INDENT]Tiggs 21, 2, 3, 4 stls, 5-9 3PT (*)
Holiday 13, 7, 0
Davis 10, 11, 1
Celuck 9, 4, 1, 3-4 3PT
Hemsley 9, 1, 3
Osbourne 4, 2, 3, 2 stls
Williams 2, 10, 2
Reid 2, 0, 0
McIntosh 0, 0, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 45-31%
REB: -2
TO: -7 (9-16)
Pts in paint: +12
2nd chance: -8
Fast break: -2
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Dec 2, 1997: Presbyterian (4-1) @ Sacramento St (3-2)

1st Half

• 13:20, Up 14-11.
• 7:07, Up 23-20.
• Halftime, Up 40-37. Too many turn overs in the last 5 mins of the half pushed our total to 11. We managed to keep the lead despite PRES' 15-18 FT shooting, by connecting on 6-12 3PT on our end.

2nd Half

• 15:53, Up 48-44. We have 6 quick team fouls already, and I got slapped with a T.
• 11:57, Up 54-49. We're in the penalty early. PG Steve Hemsley keeping us on top, hitting 2 consecutive 3s.
• 7:55, Up 61-51. Good defense, as PRES getting only 1 FG in the last 5 mins.
• 2:58, Up 68-56.

Despite our foul troubles, our players still managed to play tough defense when it mattered, as PRES able to score only 9 pts in the last 13 mins. SG Morrow Tiggs didn't have a good shooting day (5-16 FG), but PG Stave Hamsley and SF Lamoni Williams stepped up


Final Score: Presbyterian - 58, Sacramento St - 76


Box Scores
[INDENT]Hemsley 20, 2, 4, 6 tos, 5-6 3PT (*)
Williams 15, 2, 2, 4 stls
Davis 12, 8, 1, 2 stls, 3 blks
Tiggs 12, 4, 2, 5 tos
Holiday 5, 5, 3
McIntosh 5, 1, 1
Osbourne 4, 4, 2
Reid 3, 1, 0
Celuck 0, 0, 1
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 51-29%
REB: -5 (-5 off)
TO: -1
Pts in paint: +6
2nd chance: Even
Fast break: +7
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Dec 6, 1997: Sacramento St (4-2) @ Bowling Green (4-2)

1st Half

• 13:56, Down 12-15. BG converted 3-4 3PT.
• 6:53, Down 21-29. BG continues to shoot well from the outside, while our shots are not falling (2-8 3PT).
• Halftime, Down 29-48. Our poor shooting certainly a factor, but worse than that is our rebounding; BG is +14 rebounds.

2nd Half

• 15:53, Down 36-51
• 11:50, Down 39-61. Our fouls not helping, and BG getting pts not only from the outside, but also from the FT line.
• 7:32, Down 47-67.
• 3:47, Down 50-74.

We need to do a better job on rebounding if we want to win road games.


Final Score: Sacramento St - 57, Bowling Green - 81


Box Scores
[INDENT]Holiday 15, 8, 1, 2 blks
Davis 12, 7, 2
Williams 10, 4, 3
McIntosh 7, 0, 2, 5 tos
Tiggs 6, 2, 0, 2 stls
Celuck 3, 0, 1
Osbourne 2, 2, 0
Reid 2, 0, 1
Hemsley 0, 0, 2, fouled out
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 38-42%
REB: -22 (-10 off)
TO: +1
Pts in paint: +6
2nd chance: -12 (6-18)
Fast break: -14 (4-18)
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Dec 9, 1997: Texas Christian (3-3) @ Sacramento St (4-3)

1st Half

• 12:27, Down 6-11. We're struggling to make shots again, 21% FG
• 6:47, Down 17-21.
• Halftime, Down 30-34. We forced 11 turn overs on TCU, but we allowed them to shoot 50% FG. We need to play tougher defense on TCU's shooters.

2nd Half

• 15:53, Down 32-50. We used m2m defense exclusively, but TCU's shooters are on a zone today, 9-19 3PT. On offense, we threw the ball away several times, thus we dug ourselves an even bigger hole.
• 11:35, Down 37-54.
• 7:28, Down 48-61. Walk on PG Nyah Celuck providing much needed energy, leading the 2nd unit to rally to within 8 pts. But TCU scored 5 unanswered since.
• 3:07, Down 53-66. We'll start jacking up 3s

Very cold shooting today, 4-23 3PT (17%). If we will rely on a walk on PG to lead our scoring just like today, we're in big trouble this season.


Final Score: Texas Christian - 68, Sacramento St - 56


Box Scores
[INDENT]Celuck 14, 1, 1, 2 blks
Williams 11, 2, 0, 2 stls
Davis 9, 9, 2, 3 stls
Holiday 7, 4, 1
Osbourne 6, 2, 2
McIntosh 6, 2, 1, 2 stls
Tiggs 3, 4, 0, 4 tos
Hemsley 0, 1, 6, 6 tos
Reid 0, 0, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 36-51%
REB: -7
TO: -6 (15-21)
Pts in paint: +8
2nd chance: +2
Fast break: +3
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Dec 13, 1997: Long Beach St (3-4) @ Sacramento St (4-4)

1st Half

• 13:15, Up 15-14.
• 7:38, Up 26-24. We're shooting 59% FG, but not being able to pull away because we're being beaten on the boards.
• Halftime, Up 40-36. Our starting SG and SF are both scoreless, but our bench able to fill in the scoring vacuum.

2nd Half

• 15:31, Up 48-40. C Mike Holiday has been our most consistent performer on offense, 16 pts.
• 10:53, Up 54-52
• 7:27, Up 60-59
• 3:07, Up 70-61. Good defense in the last couple of minutes gave us a cushion.

And very quickly, LBS able to score 8 unanswered pts to cut our lead down to 1. Timeout. Up 70-69, 1:48.

LBS called for a foul. Both teams in penalty. PF Jordan Davis splits. We're shooting poorly from the line today, 15-24 FT. Up 2. LBS missed. Timeout. Up 71-69, 1:20.

Another foul on LBS. C Mike Holiday splits. Up 3. LBS hits on their jumper. Timeout. Up 72-71, 0:47.

We go to C Mike Holiday again, but his shot got blocked. LBS recovered and called a timeout. Up 72-71, 0:35.

LBS missed a 3. We get the defensive rebound. Timeout. Up 72-71, 0:16.

We just need to hold on to the ball and wait for the foul. LBS fouled. SG Morrow Tiggs to the line; Tiggs is still scoreless. Tiggs splits. We have missed 9 FTs already in this game. Timeout LBS. Up 73-71, 0:11.

LBS can't get their shot to fall. Scramble for the ball. LBS gets the off rebound, but time expired. We're lucky to escape this one.


Final Score: Long Beach St - 71, Sacramento St - 73


Box Scores
[INDENT]Holiday 22, 6, 0 (*)
Davis 12, 7, 0
Reid 12, 2, 1
Hemsley 8, 4, 4, 2 stls, 4 tos
Williams 5, 4, 2
Celuck 5, 0, 2
Osbourne 4, 1, 1
McIntosh 4, 1, 0
Tiggs 1, 4, 1
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 46-41%
REB: -8
TO: -4
Pts in paint: +6
2nd chance: -9
Fast break: +5
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Dec 20, 1997: Niagara (3-6) @ Sacramento St (5-4)

1st Half

• 13:37, Down 14-15.
• 7:48, Down 16-27. Very poor perimeter defense on our part, as we allowed NIAG to shoot 55% FG, including 4-5 3PT.
• Halftime, Down 28-39. Our defense and rebounding has kept us down in this game.

2nd Half

• 15:48, Down 36-45.
• 10:53, Down 45-50. Our shots shot began to fall, and we make a little bit of a run.
• 7:27, Down 54-55. Our bench continued our rally, and we were able to take a lead momentarily earlier.
• 3:59, Up 63-57. A combination of C Mike Holiday's inside pts, and NIAG's FT shooting woes, gave us this lead.

3 successive turn overs on NIAG's next 3 possessions, extended our lead to 11, which practically secured this win for us. A good come-from-behind victory, down by as many as 15


Final Score: Niagara - 62, Sacramento St - 70


Box Scores
[INDENT]Holiday 23, 12, 2(*)
Williams 16, 5, 2, 3 stls
Tiggs 9, 1, 0, 3 stls
Davis 6, 4, 3, 2 stls
Osbourne 6, 1, 1
McIntosh 3, 1, 0
Reid 3, 0, 0
Hemsley 2, 3, 11, 2 stls
Celuck 2, 1, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 46-49%
REB: -1
TO: -9 (12-21)
Pts in paint: +20
2nd chance: +6
Fast break: +6
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Dec 27, 1997: Sacramento St (6-4) @ LSU (4-6)

1st Half

• 12:48, Down 5-16. Our defense was tight the initial couple of minutes, but has disintegrated since.
• 7:24, Down 19-20. We hit two 3s, and some fast break baskets, to get ourselves back in the game.
• Halftime, Down 26-36. We are matching up well with LSU, until a barrage of fouls on us were called; LSU had a +14 advantage in FTAs in the 1st half

2nd Half

• 14:46, Down 29-40.
• 11:46, Down 38-48. We can't afford to simply trade baskets with LSU.
• 7:50, Down 48-59. Our 3pt shooting providing majority of our pts, but we can't make stops on defense.
• 3:38, Down 59-66. We're making one last run, with our tired starting unti on the floor

We didn't have enough gas left on the tank.


Final Score: Sacramento St - 64, LSU - 76


Box Scores
[INDENT]Tiggs 18, 3, 0, 4 tos
Holiday 12, 13, 0, 2 blks
Williams 11, 6, 2, 3 stls
Davis 6, 8, 1, 2 blks
Celuck 5, 0, 4
McIntosh 4, 0, 0
Reid 3, 0, 0
Hemsley 3, 1, 8, 10 tos
Osbourne 2, 2, 1
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 41-45%
REB: -4
TO: +3
Pts in paint: +4
2nd chance: Even
Fast break: +5
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Season Preview / Predictions

1. Sacramento St
2. Texas-Arlington
3. Howard
4. Lafayette
5. Cal St. Bakersfield
6. Utah Valley
7. Stephen F Austin
8. Sacred Heart
9. Arkansas St
10. Cleveland St
11. San Francisco
12. Morehead St

Non-Conference Records (RPI)

1. Texas-Arlington, 10-1 (9)
2. Sacred Heart, 8-3 (74)
3. Howard, 5-6 (120)
4. North Dakota, 5-6 (144)
5. Saint Peter's, 5-6 (167)
6. Sacramento St, 6-5 (184)
7. Stephen F Austin, 5-6 (203)
8. Morehead St, 4-7 (264)
9. Cal St. Bakersfield, 3-8 (279)
10. Louisiana Monroe, 4-7 (283)
11. Cleveland St, 4-8 (297)
12. Arkansas St, 2-9 (302)
13. Utah Valley, 5-6 (306)
14. Winston Salem, 2-9 (325)
15. San Francisco, 3-8 (326)
16. Lafayette, 2-9 (346)

Key Players

1. So SG Otis Ohanlon (Texas-Arlington), 21.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg
2. Sr(R) SG Tom Hester (Stephen F Austin), 20.6 ppg
3. Sr SG Valder Crider (Louisiana Monroe), 17.2 ppg
4. Fr PG Johnny Stevens (Morehead St), 16.4 ppg
5. Jr PG Brian Leonard (North Dakota), 15.7 ppg, 4.2 apg
6. Sr C Mike Holiday (Sacramento St), 11.2 ppg, 7.9 rpg
7. Sr SG Shaun Collier (Howard), 23.1 ppg - suspended for the rest of the season (academics)