(Photo by Elliott Jerge)

 

The Crusaders had 11 different players score, led by Stafford Trueheart's game-high 18 points, to defeat visiting St. Joe's, 85-49.  The win was the ninth consecutive victory over their rivals, a streak that dates back to the 2012 season – also the last time Canisius lost a regular season game in the Monsignor Martin Association.

 

Canisius got a 3-pointer from Will Atkinson less than 10 seconds into the big rivalry game to ignite the overflow home crowd.  The Marauders looked like they were going to be a game opponent, when Anthony Brophy connected on his own trey for St. Joe's to make it 7-5, just two minutes into the game.  Then the wheels came off.

 

A 13-0 run ensued from the Crusaders to make the score 20-5, and the game was just past the midway point of the 1st quarter. The Crusaders hung 32 points on the scoreboard just in the first eight minutes.  After a 21-10 second quarter that favored Canisius, they ran off to the locker rooms with a 53-28 lead.  Trueheart had three dunks in the game, two coming early in the first quarter, and the third was finished courtesy of a lob from teammate Madut Ayiy.

 

"I could tell by the energy they had yesterday in practice and even leading up to today that they were pretty fired up about this one," said Canisius coach Kyle Husband.   "Obviously Will's shot early was huge for us to give us that confidence and that extra little boost and anytime Stafford is playing above the rim like that, all the guys really rally behind that."

 

"With it being Joe's, and all the intensity & energy in the gym, all of our players just fed off of it," Trueheart said

 

Justin Jones, who was back playing just his second game with the team after recovering from a broken finger, was a difference maker for the Crusaders.

 

"It feels amazing to be back with the team. We're a great team without me and we're a great team with me – it's just teamwork," said Jones.

 

Husband will play the hand he's dealt, but was very pleased to get Jones back on the court.

 

"He always plays hard, and guys feed off of that. Being a senior, being a leader, and bringing the energy and toughness that he brings, the guys love it – he certainly adds to the punch," Husband said.

 

The big win for the Crusaders allowed them to showcase their depth, as new players come forward to keep Canisius on top.

 

"I do love our depth. Jayce (Johnson) has been absolutely terrific for us, Jerimiah (Wagstaff) brings a level of athleticism, the size and athleticism from Charles (Hart).  "We've got guys who can come in and give us quality minutes and that's going to be really important for us down the stretch," Husband said.

 

 

Point Totals:

Canisius:  Stafford Trueheart 18, Colby Moultrie 14, Justin Jones 10, Will Atkinson 9, Madut Ayiy 8, Jake Zeis 6, Jerimiah Wagstaff 6, Jayce Johnson 6, Charles Hart 4, Andrew Schake 3, Patrick Weir 1

St. Joe's:  Nick Motley 17, Caleb Cockrell 9, Michael Motley 8, Brad Allen 6, Naseer Jackson 4, Anthony Brophy 3, Hunter Dimitroff 2

 

-centercourt