2008 Woodie Awards
Monica shines in victory over Pace
Golden Knights improve to 9-2 and look forward to Bentley
Dan Murphy
Issue date: 12/12/07 Section: Sports
Saint Rose emerged victorious against their archrivals, the Pace Setters, by a score of 90-84.
Senior guard Will Monica led the way for the Golden Knights with 26 points and 4 steals. While he was only 3 of 10 from behind the arc, he adjusted his game, scoring in the paint on several backdoor cuts.
"I had five or six layups, and as a shooter, if you start by making your first five or six shots layups, everything else seems easy and you get into a good rhythm," Monica said. "I think that was the key to my hot night tonight."
Both teams put on spirited offensive displays in a back-and-forth shootout that saw 18 lead changes in the first half alone. Pace shot a blistering 55 percent from the field, but floundered from the free throw line. Senior guard Ryan Williams, the Setters' leading scorer, missed the front end of two one-and-ones in the final two minutes of the contest.
The Golden Knights were able to seal the victory by showing great poise from the stripe, however, going 16 of 19 as a team. Senior leader Steve Dagostino, who was honored at half court before the tip-off for his numerous accomplishments throughout his career, converted 9 out of 10 free throw opportunities, including 4 of 5 down the stretch.
"My teammates are comfortable with me and trust me so I have no problem when I get up there," Dagostino said about his clutch performance from the line.
Saint Rose grabbed its largest lead of the game with 42 seconds remaining, when a pair of Dagostino free throws put them up by 6. Pace marched right down the court, however, and cut the lead to three on a triple from the top of the key by Desmond Quincy-Jones.
The Setters were able to make it a 2 point game with 14 seconds remaining after Quincy-Jones' knocked down a pair of free throws. He contributed 22 points and 8 rebounds.
It would turn out to be too little too late for Pace, however, as Dagostino drained a pair of free throws with ten seconds to go, extending the lead to 88-84 and putting the game out of reach.
Senior guard Will Monica led the way for the Golden Knights with 26 points and 4 steals. While he was only 3 of 10 from behind the arc, he adjusted his game, scoring in the paint on several backdoor cuts.
"I had five or six layups, and as a shooter, if you start by making your first five or six shots layups, everything else seems easy and you get into a good rhythm," Monica said. "I think that was the key to my hot night tonight."
Both teams put on spirited offensive displays in a back-and-forth shootout that saw 18 lead changes in the first half alone. Pace shot a blistering 55 percent from the field, but floundered from the free throw line. Senior guard Ryan Williams, the Setters' leading scorer, missed the front end of two one-and-ones in the final two minutes of the contest.
The Golden Knights were able to seal the victory by showing great poise from the stripe, however, going 16 of 19 as a team. Senior leader Steve Dagostino, who was honored at half court before the tip-off for his numerous accomplishments throughout his career, converted 9 out of 10 free throw opportunities, including 4 of 5 down the stretch.
"My teammates are comfortable with me and trust me so I have no problem when I get up there," Dagostino said about his clutch performance from the line.
Saint Rose grabbed its largest lead of the game with 42 seconds remaining, when a pair of Dagostino free throws put them up by 6. Pace marched right down the court, however, and cut the lead to three on a triple from the top of the key by Desmond Quincy-Jones.
The Setters were able to make it a 2 point game with 14 seconds remaining after Quincy-Jones' knocked down a pair of free throws. He contributed 22 points and 8 rebounds.
It would turn out to be too little too late for Pace, however, as Dagostino drained a pair of free throws with ten seconds to go, extending the lead to 88-84 and putting the game out of reach.
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