Mountaineers Open On A Winning Note
BENNINGTON, Vt. - Captains Joe Karnik and Lance Spratling combined to score 57 points and help the Southern Vermont College men's basketball team win its season opener against Stevenson University on Sunday, 87-74, at the SVC Field House.
"It was a pretty good battle, with both clubs playing well for their first time out," SVC head coach Mike McDonough said.
The Mountaineers (1-0) led by a single point at halftime, 39-38. But after allowing eight three-pointers to that point (including five by SU leading scorer Jason Schnaggins), SVC tightened up its perimeter defense and forced the Mustangs (0-1) to earn their points two-at-a-time.
"We really weren't sure what their outside shooting capability was coming in, and it took our guys a little while to recognize that,"
McDonough said. "We were more alert to it in the second half, and that made a difference."
Karnik fought through nagging injuries to pour in a game-high 36 points, and Spratling added 21. The Mountaineers also got double-digit scoring performances from guard Derrick Cenicola (11 points, including a trio of three-pointers) and center Cam Herrington (10).
"Joe and Lance both had big games," McDonough said. "Derrick also played very well; we said coming into this game that we needed to get more from him, and he did some nice things - both offensively and defensively."
McDonough also credited senior captain Chris Holland with having "a solid outing," particularly when it came to taking charges and diving on the floor in pursuit of loose balls.
"Chris is just a pest on the floor," McDonough said.
The Mountaineers only dressed eight players for their opener, but impressed their coach by maintaining a high level of play all the way to the final buzzer.
"I was a little worried about our stamina," McDonough said. "But the guys seemed to hold up, and didn't fold physically down the stretch."
Schnaggins led Stevenson with 17 points, including five three-pointers - all of which came in the first half. The Mustangs went into fouling mode late in the game, a move that made sense considering SVC's 15-for-31 showing from the charity stripe.
"That's one area where we still need some work," McDonough said.
The Mountaineers will return to action on Tuesday, with a road game at Sage at 8 p.m.
