The Lyle File for 1/27

BOBCAT NOTEBOOK

“After opening with a bang, Anderson looks to help keep it going”

By Michael T. Lyle, Jr.

WQAQ.com Sports

 

January 29, 2007

 

Now that they’ve christened their brand new home in winning fashion, the Bobcats can focus on their next important task: taking down the top team in the Northeast Conference.

Saturday’s hard-fought, 73-71 overtime win against Long Island University, on Victor Akinyanju’s game-winning layup with 26 seconds remaining, was a league-best sixth straight for Quinnipiac. With nine games left on the campaign, the Bobcats face another mental test when they welcome first-place Central Connecticut to their new home tonight. The Blue Devils also come in having won six in a row.

“It’s good because it keeps us believing we can win the close ones”, said head coach Joe DeSantis following the victory. “A loss wouldn’t have mattered considering we played our hearts out”.

Tonight’s contest will be meaningful for swingman DeMario Anderson. The junior guard spent his first two seasons at CCSU before transferring to Quinnipiac this season.

“It’s going to be exciting playing against my old team”, said Anderson, who chipped in 18 points in Saturday’s thriller. “It should be a fun one”.

DeSantis refused to elaborate too much on tonight’s contest surrounding Anderson, mainly because he wanted the focus to be solely on Central. But the coach was not hesitant to praise his contributions.

“Coming from CCSU, (Anderson) is one of the top-players in the league”, said DeSantis. “He’s a big-time player and a terrific kid”.

While at Central Connecticut, Anderson may have played perhaps his best season to date in the conference. As a sophomore during the 2004-05 season, he finished among the top 10 in three statistical categories, including three-point field-goal percentage and free-throw percentage—all while helping the Blue Devils qualify for the NEC tournament. He even scored a career-high 32 against Quinnipiac in the regular-season finale.

So far, Anderson has lived up to the hype on his arrival to Hamden. He’s currently second on the team in scoring (13.7) and first in steals per-game average (1.6).

And despite all the hoopla leading up tonight’s contest, DeSantis says that Anderson and the rest of his team will be ready to go.

“We have a lot of respect for (CCSU)”, said DeSantis. “Nothing will change on our end preparation-wise”. “We’re happy to be in the position we are”.