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Post by LIONS90045 on Feb 20, 2015 21:00:10 GMT -5
Santa Clara Broncos - Part II
The Lions play their final home game of the season this weekend versus the Broncos, who lost a competitive game to the Waves Thursday. Brownridge led the Broncos with 18 and Senior guard Johnson added 13 in the loss.
We’ll see if the Lions can bounce back from their difficult loss on Thursday to the Dons. We’ll need more offense from the whole lineup, who excepting Okonji generally had an off night in our loss.
I’m having a tough time recovering from our latest trouncing, probably as are others – hence the relatively quiet board.
As of 6 pm Friday, Vegas has not posted any odds for the game, likely due to the uncertain status of Payne and Deji. Vegas probably took some lumps Thursday.
Gametime: Saturday, Feb 21, 3 pm in Gersten. Video: TheW.tv
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Post by husky on Feb 20, 2015 21:57:15 GMT -5
Probably enough apathy to go around. A great coach should be able to get the team up enough to make a credible showing, so no worries. It's senior night on one hand but on the other guard-dad has advised it's a mini-holiday for the students so the normally thin attendance from that sector probably won't grow from yesterday. It'll have to stay fairly close for the crowd to help much. I'll be there with a bag of throat lozenges to do what I can. Go Lions!!
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Post by aussielion on Feb 20, 2015 23:17:25 GMT -5
i have been watching some 1990 LMU games on youtube thats brightened my day
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Post by husky on Feb 21, 2015 10:00:10 GMT -5
Looks like we are one point favorites! That must mean that either Deji and/or Evan will play, or that Santa Clara, for some reason, gets close to zero respect from the odds makers. They might have player(s) out as well. It strongly suggests we will not see a repeat of Thursday. Go Lions!!
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Post by LIONS90045 on Feb 21, 2015 14:01:11 GMT -5
I think the Broncos have lost 6 in a row and we're at home Still surprised to see us favored Vegas is often right!?
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Post by husky on Feb 21, 2015 15:34:03 GMT -5
They seem to be right a surprising amount of the time, especially when I bet against them. Then there's the reality that we were at home Thursday.
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Post by husky on Feb 21, 2015 17:03:27 GMT -5
Looks like Evan and Deji probably won't suit up afterall. The spread now has us 3.5 underdogs.
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Post by LIONS90045 on Feb 21, 2015 18:55:49 GMT -5
I'm missing the game today but I see the Lions made 4 baskets in the first half - one each 5 minutes!
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Post by ALioninWinter on Feb 21, 2015 20:25:25 GMT -5
I missed the last two-thirds of the game. It looks like Matt finally got comfortable. 6/13 from the arc is what we need from him. I sure hope this game gave him some confidence and that CMD could see that he needs to run some plays to open him up.
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Post by husky on Feb 21, 2015 21:55:21 GMT -5
In the first half we mostly moved the ball around the parameter staying pretty much away from the basket until the shot clock was way down; hence the paltry 4 FG's. Hell at halftime Santa Clara's Brownridge had outscored our entire team (22-21) The student body was stone silent, but wait a minute, that was probably because there weren't any students in that section. Nothing to cheer about anyway.
Now in the second half we mostly ceased endlessly passing the ball and dribbling around the parameter and moved our game toward the basket. Our players, notably Matt and David started shooting first and asking questions later. Godwin played magnificently in the middle and the Santa Clara lead began shrink. Defensively our pressure was working and we were clearly out hustling them. We were aided by Brownridge who decided despite shooting lights out the first half (6-9 three pointers) stopped shooting, entirely; I didn't see him take a shot from the field. I also couldn't detect anything different we were doing defensively; but we'll take it. He did make all his free throws down the stretch; unlike us. I think Marin who really struggled offensively all game missed pretty much all of his. We got the lead down to 2 in the last couple of minutes which made the trip to Gertson worthwhile.
Hopefully we can play these guys in Las Vegas rather than San Fran. Despite the loss tonight we have their number.
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Post by LIONS90045 on Feb 21, 2015 21:56:22 GMT -5
First, congratulations to Matt for finding his range and leading the scoring. I knew he had it in him. Like Winter, I'm hoping this gives Matt the confidence he has been looking for - we need his offense. Also, kudos to David for playing another fine game. These two will be among our team leaders next season.
I did not see the game, but it appears defenses are keying on Mornar with Payne and Deji out?
From the stats, it seems Godwin played another solid workmanlike game - well done.
Spiers did not play while I thought Dunlap was increasing his workload in the lineup lately - is he injured also or was it a coach's decision.
Siame did not play also - was he out by rule from his flagrant foul in Thursday's game? Or merely another coach's decision?
Looks like the Lions did make a real game of it near the end but just couldn't get there - must have been lots of excitement in Gersten.
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Post by husky on Feb 21, 2015 22:44:38 GMT -5
Santa Clara started 4 guards so I think it was more that Marin had an off night.
Siame was out because of the technical and Spires was there but not suited up, assume an injury.
Matt came out after half time with a blazing 3 for 3 from beyond the arc; that really set the tone for out resurgence. David seemed nowhere to be found most of the 1st half but really woke up and kicked butt in the 2nd.
Looking ahead: even though San Fran beat Pepperdine today, I am not holding my breath about out chances at Malibu next week. But basketball can be a funny game. Stranger things than an Lion win over the Waves happen all the time. For example, St Mary's leads Gonzaga by 14 as we speak.
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Post by LIONS90045 on Feb 21, 2015 23:01:17 GMT -5
Thanks Husky - nice rundown. Do you write for an upscale paper - your reports are a riot and on target!?
I'm with you - lets play the Dons again in a rubber match.
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Post by ALioninWinter on Feb 21, 2015 23:34:07 GMT -5
My understanding is that Spiers did not play due to injury. He hurt his back in the USF game.
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Post by guarddad on Feb 21, 2015 23:34:04 GMT -5
Gentlemen / Ladies Matt doesn't lack confidence, Matt does what he's told to do. Matt is a team player. If he gets enough shots, like any shooter, he'll start to knock down shots. You need a few to make a few....
Josh got hurt during the USF game so did Casey. Looks as though Petr hurt his foot.
They played their butts off in spite of the all the injuries.
GO LIONS!!!
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