Friars win in Ed Cooley’s PC coaching debut
Sunday, November 13, 2011
It may not have been the prettiest thing to watch, but in the end, the Friars will take it.
And so will Ed Cooley.
Led by 18 points from sophomore Gerard Coleman, and a career-best 16 points from sophomore guard Bryce Cotton, the Friars beat Fairleigh Dickinson 72-61 at the Dunkin Donuts Center Saturday afternoon. The game marked Ed Cooley's debut as PC's head coach, and with the win, Cooley becomes the first PC coach to win his opening game since Pete Gillen's Friars defeated Rider in 1994.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTPC started the game with solid shooting - hitting five of their first six shots from the field - and led the Knights by as many as 12 points in the first half before settling in with a 33-28 lead at halftime. Poor free throw shooting and a 22-20 edge to FDU on the backboards helped keep the game close. In the second half, FDU was never able to get closer than three points, but the Friars were not able to pull away until the final minutes. Better effort on the rebounding side, plus a defensive effort that held the Knights to just 36% shooting from the floor helped offset a 12-22 performance from the free throw line for the game.
Vincent Council added 12 points and 5 assists, while freshman LaDontae Henton contributed 10 points and six rebounds in his PC debut. PC shot 44% from the floor for the game, finished 6-13 from three-point range, and ended with a 41-38 margin in their favor off of the backboards. Coleman led the Friars with seven rebounds, and PC also took care of the ball, committing just nine turnovers.
Lonnie Hayes, a junior college all-American last year, led Fairleigh Dickinson with a game high 26 points. Kinu Rochford finished with a double-double, 15 points and 12 rebounds, before fouling out with 4:36 remaining.
Friar Notes
PC was once again without the services of Kadeem Batts (team suspension) and Kiwi Gardner (NCAA Clearinghouse). No word on when either player will return to the lineup. FDU was also missing two potential starters in Melquan Bolding (Duquesne transfer) and Mouhamed Lo (Toledo transfer), who both sat out due to a coaches' decision by head coach Greg Vetrone. Fairleigh Dickinson has 10 newcomers on the team, with only three returning players from last years' squad that finished 5-24 in the Northeast Conference...
The Friars began the game in man-to-man defense, but switched to 2-3 zone on several occasions late in the first half, and throughout the second half. Assistant coach Brian Blaney, who had the scouting duties on the Knights, explained post-game that because of depth issues (with only 8 scholarship players at present), the Friars will continue to work on the zone for self-preservation this season, if nothing else...
PC's starting five consisted of Vincent Council, Bryce Cotton, LaDontae Henton, Brice Kofane and Lee Goldsbrough. The game marked the first career starts for everyone other than Council, and both Cooley and Blaney explained they like having a veteran scoring presence coming off of the bench...which is why Gerard Coleman did not start. Coleman's team high 18 points were a primary reason for the 28-0 scoring advantage PC held over the FDU bench for the game...
Council played all 40 minutes in scoring his 12 points and getting five assists, but shot just 5-19 from the floor...sophomore forward Ron Giplaye gave some great energy and toughness off of the bench in both halves, and scored eight points, a career high...
With the win, the Friars are now 74-11 all time in season openers, and 77-8 all time in home openers...opening at home for the 11th time in 12 years, PC is now 11-1 during that stretch...
Next up, the first road trip for the Friars to a familiar place for the PC coaching staff - Fairfield. Cooley (along with assistants Bob Simon and Brian Blaney) spent five seasons as the Stags' head coach, compiling a 92-69 record. This year's Fairfield team is considered a pre-season favorite to win the MAAC (Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) along with Iona, and also a favorite to reach the NCAA Tournament. Former Boston College forward and Pawtucket native Rakim Sanders is expected to play for the Stags...the game at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, CT will tip-off Monday night at 7:30 (7:00 pm pre-game on 103.7 WEEI-FM and www.friars.com). "It will be emotional," Cooley said. "I have a great amount of respect for those kids as men. In the end, though, they're the absolute enemy. I care about the Friars. Go Friars..."
