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MAAC Basketball: Every game tight in exciting first day of tournament

By Pan Karalis

SYRACUSE, NY - NOVEMBER 18: Head coach King Rice of the Monmouth Hawks yells to his players during the first half against the Syracuse Orange on November 18, 2016 at The Carrier Dome in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NY - NOVEMBER 18: Head coach King Rice of the Monmouth Hawks yells to his players during the first half against the Syracuse Orange on November 18, 2016 at The Carrier Dome in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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St. Peter’s advances in overtime, Manhattan and Monmouth survive in an exciting first day of the MAAC Basketball tournament.

The MAAC basketball tournament kicked off on Thursday evening, and it was every bit as exciting as anticipated. The first game of the tournament went to overtime, while the other two went right down to the final few possessions.

St. Peter’s downs Marist in OT

St. Peter’s completed the season sweep against Marist, advancing as a nine seed for the second consecutive season. Marist led for much of the game, holding the advantage from midway through three first half until a 19-4 St. Peter’s run gave the Peacocks the lead with a little less than ten minutes to play. Davauhnte Turner, SPU’s leading scorer, turned it on in the second half, scoring 16 of his 18 after halftime. He hit a highlight-reel three after breaking the ankles of a Marist defender, but was matched immediately by MAAC sixth man Ryan Funk of Marist.

St. Peter’s made a huge stop on the last play of the game, Aleksandar Dozic missing a jumper with Marist down 69-68 with three seconds left in overtime. St. Peter’s sealed it with two free throws, winning 71-68. They play Iona Friday.

Manhattan and Monmouth survive to the quarterfinals

The other two games didn’t have quite the drama of the first, but were exciting nonetheless. Manhattan survived Fairfield after trailing at halftime, relying, as they have all year, on their depth. Manhattan got 18 points and 13 boards from their bench, Fairfield only 5 points from 32 bench minutes. All three of the Stags’ starting guards played all 40 minutes of the game. Landon Taliaferro, one of the best offensive players in the league, was limited to 12 points on 3-6 shooting. Manhattan won 57-53 and will play Canisius on Friday.

I noted in our MAAC tournament preview that Niagara was perhaps the most dangerous bottom seed in any tournament in the country, but they fell to a seasoned Monmouth squad familiar with winning in the MAAC. The game was tight from start to finish, no lead bigger than the 21-14 Niagara held in the first half. Niagara went cold late, scoring only five points in the final three minutes. Monmouth took advantage and came out on top 76-72.

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Ray Salnave had 20 for the Hawks, and Jersey Shore native Louie Pillari added 15 from the bench. Rasheed Solomon led all scorers with 24 in a losing effort. Monmouth gets a day off, and will play Quinnipiac in the quarterfinals.