The Mount Fan Blog

William S. Paxton: Latina brings his own personality to SHU job - Connecticut Post

2013-06-02T22:45:00.001-04:00

William S. Paxton: Latina brings his own personality to SHU job - Connecticut Post:

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Varsity Q&A with Julian Woods, Century, track and field - baltimoresun.com

2013-05-22T21:09:00.001-04:00

Varsity Q&A with Julian Woods, Century, track and field - baltimoresun.com:

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Randallstown's Chris Manning talks about his Mount St. Mary's pledge - Baltimore Sun

2013-05-16T08:18:00.001-04:00

Here's a good piece on the Mount's latest commit

Randallstown's Chris Manning talks about his Mount St. Mary's pledge - Baltimore Sun:

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Another Local Talent Chooses Mount

2013-03-26T19:32:00.000-04:00

DC Guard Byron Ashe chose Mount St. Mary's on Sunday night, becoming the fourth area product to do so recently. The Mount has grabbed three players from the DC Area in recent weeks, while Khalid Nwandu from Northeastern York PA, signed in the fall.

Ashe is a 6-1 guard who really scores the basketball. He played for Friendship Collegiate Academy the last three years and should fit very nicely into a Mount program that puts a pretty big emphasis on perimeter play. The Mount went to a four guard offense late this season, that move propelled them to an exciting finish. The Mount finished the season with nine straight wins before falling to LIU in the NEC Championship Game.

But since the season has ended the Mount has seen several players ask for and be granted their release and scholarships became available. It was reported last week that Kelvin Parker and Josh Castellanos have left the program. Gonzaga's Charles Glover and Marshall transfer guard Chris Martin quickly filled those scholarships. With the addition of Ashe it appears that the Mount has at least one more player departing, and likely two as they continue to bring talent into the program.

Ashe has great acceleration and can score in a variety of fashions. The guard is crafty and creates shots for himself and others. Ashe scored a season-high 33 versus National Christian getting to the foul line 20 times that night, converting on 90% of the attempts. Per Allmetsports.com the All-Capital Beltway first teamer averaged 19.1 points per game during his senior season.

With the addition of the 4 newcomers next fall (Martin will need to sit out one season due to NCAA transfer rules), the Mount's roster will likely be made up of players from DC, Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania. The lone exception will be NEC Newcomer of the Year Shivaughn Wiggins. So it has become obvious from Jamion Christian and his staff's first year and a half recruiting that they want the recruiting base to be from the local areas.

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DC Guard transferring to Mount

2013-03-21T19:52:00.000-04:00

Chris Martin from Upper Marlboro Maryland, who spent the last two seasons at Marshall is transferring to the Mount according to sources familiar with the situation.

Martin, a 6-0 guard, played at famed St. Patrick (NJ) Prep before going to Marshall. He is a great shooter who loves to score the ball. Due to NCAA transfer rules he will be required to sit out one season but will be eligible starting in the 2014 season.

Averaged 13.5 points for the St. Patrick team that was ranked No.1 in the country for much of the season, before finishing at #3.

He just completed his sophomore season at Marshall where he averaged just over 3 points a game, while making 15 three-pointers. He looks to be the type of guard who will thrive in Jamion Christian's offense.

His father Bill Martin played on Georgetown teams that made three NCAA title game appearances in the early 80's. The Hoyas won the 1984 crown.

Welcome aboard Chris.We're excited to get to know you.

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Sports Can Be Cruel

2013-03-12T21:59:00.002-04:00

Long Island won its third straight NEC title with a 91-70 win over the Mount in Brooklyn. The Mount built an early 8-point lead but struggled mightily against the Blackbird zone defense.

CJ Garner continued his masterful play for LIU with a 31-point effort.

The loss snapped a nine game Mount winning streak as the Mounties attempted to be the first NEC team to win an NEC tournament playing all three games on the road.

Unfortunately, the run was stopped one win short of an NCAA tournament berth.

I'm a mix of emotions right now, extremely proud of the season that this group gave us, disappointed that the performance wasn't better tonight, to just flat out sad that there is no game to be thinking about tomorrow.

This Mount team is going to be remembered for awhile. Unfortunately endings don't write themselves.

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It was LIU's Night

2013-03-12T20:57:00.000-04:00

Thanks for the run. You made March matter again.

Brightness on the horizon.

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Who is the Hero?

2013-03-11T19:55:00.002-04:00

If there's been one constant in the Mount's three NCAA berth sealing wins, it has been the hero factor from the unlikely source.

Silas Cheung went off when the Mount prevented Rider from earning its third straight NEC title and sent Jim Phelan to the Big Dance for the first time.

And then Eric Bethel rained threes on Central Connecticut on Staten Island giving Phelan his 800th win and another tourney berth. Yes that Bethel, his brother Tony is now an assistant at the Mount.

Finally, Freshman Jean Cajou, who really was special the whole NEC Tournament led the Mount to victory in Connecticut over Sacred Heart.

So if the form holds, who becomes the hero?

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Back to the Championship Game

2013-03-09T21:02:00.000-05:00

Ok, I've calmed down enough where I think I can bang out a little bit about the Mount's 69-60 win over Robert Morris in the NEC Semifinal today at a place they call The Chuck, like Ground Chuck I suppose. See I was afraid if I wrote this three hours ago, I'd say nasty things like (Did you hear the Mount fans chanting NIT as the game wore down) or remind folks had bad All-NEC Velton Jones (2-for-17 and four turnovers) was today. And that I'd be too much the fan - and not enough the clear headed enthusiast.

Okay, I got my jabs in. Robert Morris will always be Enemy #1. That was cemented with the great tourney games the teams played last decade. But the thing is, Bobby Mo forgot about it. While the Mount was busy wallowing through the Robert Burke years, RMU was playing its new biggest rival, Long Island and losing in two straight NEC championship games.

Still Robert Morris deserved all the pregame accolades. This was a team that had won 20+ games against a tough non-conference schedule and been the class (most consistent) of the NEC regular season for the duration. No longer were the Colonials this grind it out defensive team that just tried to frustrate you to death to beat you. That left with Mike Rice and when Andrew Toole was able to bring in some better talent. Now Robert Morris spread the floor, launched threes and went hard to the glass with a combination of slashers, shooters and rotating big men that added up to a deserved conference champion.

Robert Morris - as they were from that perspective - deserved to be a favorite - and 8.5 was probably a fair number.

But even so, going in from my perspective it was hard to see the Mount as an underdog. Hard to see them as a team that couldn't beat anyone put before them now. Because it wasn't like the most recent 8 games, all wins, that preceded the Mount entering the Chuck for an afternoon semifinal, were against the Sisters of the Poor. In fact, Robert Morris probably should have handed the Mount thank you cards as they entered. Because it was this Mount team that on two straight Thursday nights knocked off the league leaders. Bryant first, then Long Island next, essentially allowing Robert Morris to win the conference and ironically wrap up the guaranteed NIT bid that they sent them to this afternoon.

No the Mount didn't really deserve that. They deserved a lot more. And on Saturday they showed why they deserved it.

In the postseason, it is so often that the best TEAMS win. And that's no knock on the Colonials. It's just what we've known in or around the Mount for the last several months is that this team is truly a team.

That even though Rashad Whack is the leading scorer he might not be that on every night. And on night's when he isn't the Mount still has a fighting chance.

And Raven Barber has been so key down the stretch. Of course, he's done it while sharing time inside with three others who all bring something different and needed to the package.

And Sam Prescott scored 44 one night. And hasn't taken a forced selfish shot in the games that have followed.

Shivaughn Wiggins has added so much to the team with his on the ball defense. And then at the other end he turned into the NEC Rookie of the Year after winning the weekly award 5 times. Some nights he scores, some nights he passes, and at 5 foot 10 inches he rebounds. And his coach will tell you, and it's hard to disagree, that his defense means the most.

And then there was last year's leading scorer, Julian Norfleet. The lefty from the Tidewater Area has yielded all season to others. Made concessions within his statline for the better of the team. So when starting point guard Josh Castellanos went down with an ankle injury, who was better to step in than Norfleet. He had made all sorts of sacrifices all season - and going to the head of the offense would be another. As this string started, it became apparent that Norfleet could handle the role and more so. He stuffed the stat sheets, found open teammates and all of a sudden that lefty stroke came back.

Castellanos came back from the ankle injury after missing several games and never regained the starting job he had held for the past two and a half years. And as the season went on, his minutes became less and less. But the junior from the Orlando never sulked, never became the problem that lesser people would have. Instead, he cheered, pushed and encouraged his teammates and when Norfleet went down with of all things an ankle injury on Saturday afternoon, Castellanos came off the bench to solidify the offense and help preserve the win.

There didn't seem to be a Mountaineer among them who noticed the difference. Because it became apparent to them a long time ago, back in the preseason workouts, back on the fall camping trip, back on the Frederick House Build project that if these guys wanted to accomplish something, they had to accomplish it together. And when the bad things happen as they always do, you find a way to adjust and make the situation good. And there's nobody out there to help you but your teammates.

That's the Mountaineer team we've been watching this whole year.

It's that team that couldn't be considered an underdog on Saturday. It's that team that played like a favorite.

And it's that team we'll be watching on Tuesday night in the NEC Championship Game.

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2013-03-09T17:20:00.000-05:00

Thanks @FlavaFlem09. Absolute great great win by the Mount this afternoon. I'll have some real thoughts when my heart resumes a normal rhythm.

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So Much to be said

2013-03-06T21:37:00.002-05:00

Several observations in the aftermath of the big victory over Bryant in the NEC Tournament on Wednesday night.

The season has truly been fun. It's been a joy to watch this team fight through adversity, grow and keep getting better. But it's just great to actually play games that matter. Games that make you get that knot in your stomach when the clock hits 10 minutes tonight.
The five points at the end of the first half for Bryant were the only time I was really worried all night. I don't think the Mount played its best, but even while trailing most of the first half, I thought the win would come. But those last five points are the first half were a bit troubling.
Shivaughn Wiggins continues to play within himself and find ways to score. His insertion into the lineup and him driving to the basket has made others play that way as well.
Big Kudos to Raven Barber tonight. Haven't been many games this year where he's had as big of night as he had tonight. 14 points on 8-of-8 free throw shooting. Just a fabulous night.
The Mount made 26-of-27 free throws tonight. All of a sudden this team, which is not a good foul shooting team has 2 of the best free throw nights in Mount history.
Rashad Whack's shot selection can be questioned now and again. But get his shoulders square and he knocks down some big shots. A couple huge ones tonight.
Sam Prescott is averaging 25 per game in his last two versus Bryant.
It's hard watching games where the announcers are employed by the opposition. However, in the end I thought the Bryant duo gave the Mount credit for the win.
Survive and advance in March is all you can ask for. It wasn't pretty tonight. But this team showed it believes in itself and won a tough game in a hostile environment.
Saturday will be fun. Enjoy it Mount fans.

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Gonzaga Guard Glover a Good Get

2013-02-25T21:33:00.001-05:00

Gonzaga guard Charles Glover committed to the Mount earlier today. A 6-1 guard, Glover plays for the best team in the WCAC and has enjoyed a fine senior season and is a first team All-WCAC selection.

Glover averaged better than 11 points a game and had a season high 23 versus St. John last week. He has also often had the task of guarding the opponent's best offensive player, so he should fit right in with the Mayhem in Emmitsburg.

Glover had an offer from Howard and was receiving interest from Marist, Siena, St Francis and New Hampshire but he will sign with the Mount during the next signing period.

He's another talented player in the stable that Jamion Christian and his staff continue to assemble.

Here's a story from DMVElite

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Prescott's Night

2013-02-15T21:18:00.001-05:00

24 hours ago I was leaving Knott Arena. Had just witnessed Sam Prescott put on the greatest performance of any Mountaineer in the Arena's history. He had knocked down 10 three pointers matching a record set by Scott Murphy twice during his days as a Mountaineer, on his way to a 44-point performance that set a Division I Mountaineer scoring record passing All-Century team member Chris McGuthrie for that record and leading the Mount to a team record 18 3's in a game. All of this coming in an 84-70 beatdown of the current NEC pacemaker Bryant. If it wasn't a Woodshed beatdown, it was as close as you could get.

And as I left the building I started thinking of how far we'd come in a year. Because you may remember a year ago around this time was when Robert Burke coached his final game at the Mount. Back then there really was nothing to be excited about. However, this team that won our hearts with its all-out all-the-time effort in November has blossomed into a very good offensive team in February, that seems to be playing its best hoops at exactly the right time.

The Mount has won four of its last five games, knocking off teams in front of them in the NEC standings in three of those games. Oh how times have changed in Emmitsburg. That's right there is also that Emmit fellow running around. The Mount is now 2-0 in front of the mascot.

Jamion Christian has been pushing all the right buttons. He and his staff are always searching for and finding the right matchup offensively.

Defensively, they keep throwing different looks at teams that even though they continue to rank near the bottom of the NCAA charts in Field Goal Percentage Against they are winning ballgames by keeping offenses off balance.

Because how this team was going to play in February (and maybe March) wasn't even about what was happening back in November. Instead, this all started back on March 27th when Christian was hired. He's been building the blocks since then. Putting the pieces in place by preaching team first.

So even on a night when it was an individual effort that blazed, the core was still the team. Julian Norfleet, the leading scorer from a season ago, adapting to an on the ball point guard role, handing out 11 assists, the most since Jeremy Goode had that many.

Prescott's night was one those of us who braved the backlash that going to a Valentine's Night game might bring , will never forget.

But it's just one night, one moment in a season that is becoming full of them and seems to be only just beginning once again.

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A Sacred Heart Perspective of Yesterday's win

2013-02-03T13:29:00.001-05:00

Pioneer Pride: Sacred Heart Drops Second Straight to Mount St. Mary's, Now 6-4 in NEC:

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Division I lacrosse preview: Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers - baltimoresun.com

2013-02-03T13:27:00.001-05:00

Division I lacrosse preview: Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers - baltimoresun.com:

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Another Win

2013-02-03T09:28:00.000-05:00

If there was one game this season you wouldn't want to miss it was yesterday's homecoming thrashing of Sacred Heart.

Naturally, I missed it.

Missed Rashad Whack's career high 35-point performance. The George Mason transfer had 19 of the Mount's first 23 points, making his first five three pointers. Rumor has it he had 2 trifectas during the national anthem.

The win was the Mount's eighth straight over the Pioneers and keeps them one game out of the final playoff spot in the Northeast Conference. Quinnipiac, a winner at Wagner, and St Francis NY, a loser to St Francis PA, are currently tied for the seventh and eighth slot.

Shivaughn Wiggins also had a nice night for the Mounties. He dropped in 13 points and handed out six assists. A third NEC newcomer of the week award could be on the horizon.

The Mount has road games at Wagner and St Francis PA on the horizon this week. The Mount fell to the Seahawks by two last week at Knott Arena. The trip to Loretto will be the Mount's only battle with the Red Flash this season.

The improvement in the efficiency of the Mount offense seems to be the biggest reason for the recent upswing. We knew that this team with so many new faces and a new system with Coach Jamion Christian was going to take time to mesh completely. I think we've started to see that recently as the Mount is now averaging better than a point a possession in conference games. The Mount is 7-3 when scoring better than a point per possession this season.

The defense continues to be a work in process, but as long as it forces turnovers, it forced another 19 yesterday, it is going to be effective even with the high FG% against it.

The coaching staff continues to find matchups that work for the team, shuffling players in and out of the lineup with effectiveness. A big credit to them on reaching 9 wins, one more than last year, by Groundhog's Day.

February promises to be an exciting month for the Mount. If you believe in the mathematics of Ken Pomeroy, seven of the eight Mount games has a favorite of five points or less. The only exception, Wednesday's travel to Staten Island where the Mount is a seven point underdog. The Mount is favored in six of those eight games.

So get ready for some incredibly close, exciting basketball games. Sounds like Mayhem. Just the way we like it.

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Mount holds on at Home

2013-01-31T22:26:00.001-05:00

The Mount nearly let a lead slip away late for the second straight Thursday at home but this time made some plays down the stretch to knock off Quinnipiac 78-74.

There was no bigger play late, than Julian Norfleet's bomb from the right wing (the guy leads the NCAA in 28-footers doesn't he?) that gave the Mount some breathing room with just over a minute to play and stretched the lead to five. The Mount made just enough free throws late and survived an inbounds play which nearly turned into an Ike Azotam hoop and harm bucket that could have given the Bobcats the lead with just 12 seconds to play.

Shivaughn Wiggins stayed hot leading the Mount with 17 points. Rashad Whack and Norfleet had 13 while Sam Prescott was also in double digits with 11.

The game was full of all sorts of statistical wackiness. Quinnipiac outrebounded the Mount 50-26. Ousmane Drame had 19 points and 20 rebounds including 11 on the offensive end. The game featured 53 fouls but the Bobcats scored only 16 points from the line making only 50 percent including 5-of-14 in the first half. The Mount was 25-of-36 from the line.

The Mount moves to 3-6 in the NEC and hosts Sacred Heart in a 4 o'clock game on Saturday.

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Back to the Knott

2013-01-20T15:56:00.003-05:00

You can bet that the ride home from New Britain Connecticut was a fun one for the Mt. St. Mary's Mountaineers yesterday evening. And with good reason. The Mount had just completed its first non-conference road win against a +.500 conference mate in over two years. The last one came in on January 15th 2011, when the Mounties won at St. Francis NY.

The Mount win avoided a four-game losing streak, the second such time the Mount has ended a streak in such fashion this year.

But it wasn't so much the win as the way the Mount got the win that impressed me.

We can poke our finger at the Mount defense as much as we want, were not likely to create many holes. But it was that defense that really slowed down the Central Connecticut offense. If you stuck around long enough on the NECFrontRow.com post-game show you heard CCSU assistant coach Sean Ryan say that the 1-3-1 defense is something that can make an immediate impact on a basketball game. But most of the time the offense becomes comfortable against it and it is ineffective.

However, the Mount coaching staff never let that happen. Primarily because they kept rotating guys at the top of the zone. At times 7-foot Taylor Danaher manned the top of the zone. At others, 5-10 Shivaughn Wiggins was the guy up top. And there were others there as well. Couple that with the fact that anytime the Devils did seem to get going offensively
the Mount gave them a different look and went back to the zone later on.

Howie Dickenman has made a career out of outcoaching people in the NEC. The Mount coaching staff had his number on Saturday afternoon.

Not only was the defense working but the Mount offense was executing at a high level. The offense has now scored better than a point a possession in four of its last five games after reaching that mark only three times in its first eleven games. And there was quite a balance to it as well.

Five players scored in double figures. Julian Norfleet and Xavier Owens led the way with 18. Owens had a monster game with 9 rebounds. The sophomore from Tampa has seen his minutes decrease in recent weeks, but he was more than ready to take advantage of positive matchups when his number was called.

Norfleet provided the dagger three to cap the performance. He knocked down 4-of-6 threes on the afternoon breaking out of the season-long shooting slump. Expect a big conclusion to the season from the junior.

So the Mount heads back to the friendly confines of Knott Arena for three home games in its next four. KenPom.com currently lists the Mount as favorites in all three of those games. But none will be easy.

Still its nice to be home and with a good road win to boot.

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Effort Rewarded

2013-01-19T17:33:00.003-05:00

The Mount had 5 guys in double figures and capped off a four-game road trip with a well earned 80-75 victory at Central Connecticut State Saturday afternoon.

Julian Norfleet and Xavier Owens led the offensive attack for the Mounties with 18 each.

A 16-0 run midway through the second half turned an eight point deficit into an eight point lead and gave the Mount control of the game down the stretch.

Rashad Whack had 13, Shivaughn Wiggins 12 and Kristijan Krajina had 10 for the balanced attack.

The Mount survived an unexpected career high 26 from Baltimore native Malcolm McMillian who knocked down 6 of 7 three-pointers.

Lots of credit to the Mount coaching staff for mixing the defenses up and slowing down and at times thoroughly confusing the high flying Blue Devil attack.

Still no respect for the Mount from the other teams in the NEC. A few more performances like this and that will have to change.

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Keeping the Faith

2013-01-19T14:01:00.001-05:00

The Mount will tip off in Connecticut with Central Connecticut State in about an hour and a half and when they do, they will be trying to avoid their first 4 game losing streak of the season.

A season that started with so much promise, because the Mount won 5 of 11 non-conference games, has all of a sudden started to look a little differently. Because many assumed that since the Mount had played near 500 ball against non-conference opponents, it would have no difficulty doing that well or better in conference play.

But at least to start the conference season it hasn't gone that way. And you sort of sense that folks are starting to get a bit restless.

But let's all take a step back, a deep breath and realize where we are right now.

Just past the midway part of the season, the Mount has proven it can play with anyone the NEC has to offer. Thursday's heartbreaking overtime loss at Bryant further proved that point.

But the other factor that has been proven is that if the Mount doesn't play well for all 40 minutes of games opponents in the NEC are going to take advantage. Falling in early deficits in losses to Long Island, Fairleigh Dickinson, St Francis NY and having to rally to force overtime against Bryant has proven to be too large a hole to rally from.

But let's look positively, at where this team is different, than the team that won just 8 games last year.

Transfers Rashad Whack and Sam Prescott have both averaged in double figures in 5 NEC games. The duo had a combined 33 on Thursday at Bryant.
Kristijan Krajina has proven that if he is on the floor and not on the bench in foul trouble he can have a huge impact on the game inside. Not only does his post play bring points for the Mount, but it makes the defense defend inside which means the Mount perimeter players have a little more space outside.
The Mayhem style of defense is going to force turnovers against NEC opponents. League leading Bryant had 20 on Thursday night.
There are plenty of players who are going to contribute. With starting point guard Josh Castellanos ailing on Thursday night, Shivaughn Wiggins led the attack with 20 points. The freshman guard from Charlotte made 8-of-10 shots, including all 3 of his three-point attempts.
The field goal percentage keeps getting better. The Mount has made 46% of its shot in January, the best of any month this season. In the long run, that is going to pay dividends.

There is no doubt that the early part of the season was bringing better results. But it is impossible to ignore the fact that some areas of the Mount's play are improving over the last few weeks. However, the schedule has been murderous and isn't likely to get much better any time soon. After today, the Mount has played 4 straight games on the road, and plays one of two on the road next week.

As the season wears on the schedule looks a bit friendlier with numerous home games at Knott Arena forthcoming. That could be setting the Mount up to play its best basketball in February and March as would be expected from a team under a new head coach with a lot of new faces.

The majority of the league schedule lies ahead of us. Today would be a good time to get a jump start on it.

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RIP The Earl of Baltimore

2013-01-19T12:58:00.001-05:00

Sad sad news this morning to hear of the passing of Earl Weaver. The guy made me love the game of baseball - and he made me love his Orioles.

Also sad that the lasting image will have of Earl is for moments like the above (and don't hit the play button with kids in the room) when in fact he was a great manager. Weaver won nearly 60% of the games he managed over his 18 years with the Birds. He took the Orioles to 4 World Series.

He's gone but he'll never be forgotten.

The Hall of Famer once said, "when I die just put 'the sorest loser that ever lived' on the tombstone."

Unfortunately that time has come. But everytime there's a three-run homer hit by the black and orange we'll remember the Earl of Baltimore.

Rest In Peace

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Nwandu Scores 27 of Team's 49 in Win

2013-01-19T11:58:00.003-05:00

Here is the full game video of Mount signee Khalid Nwandu's 27 point performance versus Red Lion last night.

The game story from The York Daily Record

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Mount loses in Rhode Island

2013-01-17T21:44:00.001-05:00

Shane McLaughlin took one shot all night. It came with 6.6 seconds left in overtime - a driving layup that kept Bryant unbeaten in the NEC finally putting an end to the Mount's upset bid 79-78.

Julian Norfleet's elbow jumper at the buzzer bounced painfully off the rim.

The Mount had rallied from an 11-point deficit over the game's final 5 minutes and forced overtime on Shivaughn Wiggins 3-pointer with 13 seconds. The freshman who played for an injured Josh Castellanos had a career high 20 points making 8 of 10 shots from the field including all three from behind the arc.

Both teams shot very well from inside the arc, but ultimately it was Bryant's success at the foul line that made the difference. Bryant was 19-of-22 while the Mount was 7-of-13.

Rashad Whack, who had back-to-back threes in the rally, scored 17 for the Mount, while Sam Prescott had 16.

The road trip continues Saturday at Central Connecticut as the Mount looks to snap a three-game losing streak.

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Mount O'Links 1/7/13

2013-01-07T12:28:00.000-05:00

Some Monmouth Reaction

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Biggest win of Season

2013-01-06T11:07:00.000-05:00

If you didn't recognize the crossroads that the Mount basketball team was at entering last night's home NEC game versus Monmouth, you've probably missed most of the last month of play.

The Mount had lost 4 of its last 5 and had seen its efficiency from behind the arc, and its ability to turn teams over diminish a bit during that stretch.

However, there definitely had been some positives on the Mount's desire to become a complete basketball team. The inside play of Kristijan Krajina had really started to develop and Taylor Danaher and Raven Barber had shown the ability to score inside points.

In addition, there had been stretches where the halfcourt defense had performed admirably, despite the fact that teams were in total still shooting a high percentage.

But it certainly did seem like the more the Mount missed from the outside the more the frustration mounted.

However, none of that was evident Saturday night. The Mount went about the first five or six minutes without shooting a three, and didn't make one until less than 10 minutes remained in the half. Yet they had built a lead and seemed in control of the game at that point.

Not only was Krajina scoring inside but guys were moving past an overplay on the perimeter to knock down mid-range jumpers.

Defensively the Mount wasn't forcing as many turnovers as they had been, but they were still settling in much better on the defensive end.

And all of a sudden they started to look like that team that was complete. The looks from outside were more open, and the shots started to drop. Sam Prescott, who matched Krajina's 15 for a team high, knocked down three three-pointers and the Mount shot a very good 4-of-10 from behind the arc in the first half.

In the second half, it looked as if Monmouth would rally on several occasions. But as soon as the Hawks pulled close the Mount made a run. And then maybe that constant pressure paid its biggest reward of the evening. The Mount pushed the lead back to double figures with a run that consisted of some Barber buckets inside, a Whack three, and a steal and an easy layin for Kelvin Parker.

And you had to feel good for Parker last night.

As well as the team had been playing in the first few months of the season, Parker hadn't really been a part of that on the floor. But he looked good on Thursday and was rewarded with more minutes on Saturday night. He made the most of it. And all of a sudden the Kelvin Parker that we saw as a lot of as a walk-on freshman, was back to contributing.

The completeness to the team was obviously more evident last night.

That is going to be needed over the next several weeks. The Mount begins a murderous stretch of seven games (Sorry Coach I did look ahead) that features five road games and home games against Wagner and Quinnipiac.

Without anything but a complete performance on Saturday night, the task would have appeared even more daunting.

Now, I think there is a sense of confidence again.

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