Charleston Classic Championship Preview

By Steve Valenti

What a second half from the Pirates. Even with St. Joseph’s holding a 7 point lead at the half it would not be enough as the Hall outscored the Hawks 46-31 during the second half for the 78-70 victory to send them into the Charleston Classic championship game.

The three headed attack of seniors Jordan Theodore and Herb Pope along with sophomore Fuquan Edwin once again led the team in scoring. Theodore led the team with 18 while Pope and Edwin both added 17. However for the first time this season a freshman made major scoring contributions with Aaron Cosby netting 13 points shooting 3-6 from three.

Offensively this is the best the team has looked all season.

The defense was a bit questionable for the first 3/4 of the game with the Hawks seemingly getting open shots ever possession with the Hall’s only stops coming on missed shots. Carl Jones set a new tournament record with 38 points and shot 12-17 from the field.

Once again just like in the season opener, held their opponents to next to nothing in the final minutes.

Now the Pirates get one of the few teams that have never earned a berth into the NCAA Tournament, Northwestern Wildcats. The Wildcats enter the matchup off of a 69-65 win over Tulsa.

When looking to score Northwestern relies on senior John Shurna and junior Drew Crawford. In their two wins in Charleston Shurna scored 37 in the first game and 15 in the second. Crawford has dropped 17 and 28 points in the two games. Both also lead the team in rebounds with 6.

Outside of those two players Northwestern just gets scoring from whoever is hot.

Expect another close game and this one to go down to the final minute with both team’s ability to shoot the ball well to have the ability to come back in any game.

Keys to the game:
Pirates
1. Pope scoring in the paint
2. Freshman contribute on offense
3. Don’t allow open shots
Northwestern
1. Shurna and Crawford take over the game
2. Don’t allow Theodore to drive
3. Outside contributions

Prediction- SH 74-66

Don’t Forget- The Women’s basketball team plays Michigan a 2 p.m. today with a chance to go 4-0.