Greyhounds too much for Griffs to Handle

The Loyola (MD) Greyhounds came into the Koessler Athletic Center Sunday afternoon in a tie for first in the MAAC and left with a half game lead.

The Griffs continued their awful shooting as they were only able to convert on 22 of 54 shots (40.7%).

Canisius started the game with the lead and led by as many as 7 but saw that dwindle down as the poor shooting started to kick in. The Griffs were held scoreless for the final 8:02 of the first half and saw their once seven point lead turn into a six point deficit. Loyola was able to close the half on a 12-0 run.

For a stretch of 12:04 Canisius was only able to score two points and allowed a 24-2 Greyhound run. During this run, the Griffs looked frustrated and visibly so. The poor shooting seemed to wear on them.

Shane Walker was a force on the floor for Loyola as he scored 17 to lead all scorers. He also had 11 rebounds and 5 blocks. The glass was controlled by Loyola all day and especially in the second half as they were able to out-rebound the blue and gold 43-27 and 22-14 on the offensive glass. "It's frustrating for the fellas I know, because they give such an effort defensively that is" said Tom Parrotta. "When we had really good possessions defensively, the shot was up and the rebound was up in the air, they're just bigger and more athletic than us and they came down with it and they make you pay. That's absolutely demoralizing for a defensive possession."

Loyola had four players in double figures as Walker had 17, Robert Olson had 13, Erik Etherly had 15, and Justin Drummond had 14 off the bench.

Cansius once again started four guards as Franklin Milian received his second career start and he did take advantage of it. In 25 minutes he had 7 points and 4 rebounds. The guards for the Griffs shot the ball very poorly as Harold Washington, Alshwan Hymes, and Gaby Belardo combined to go 11-38 from the floor including 4-16 from beyond the arch.

"I can't fault the effort outside 30 minutes" "The first half is not the issue" said Parrotta. "It certainly starts to wain in the second half and deep into the second half."

Canisius obviously is not having the season they would have liked but it shouldn't come as a complete shock. The lack of depth is something that everyone always talks about and Parrotta honestly addressed that issue today. "We knew one hundred percent that depth was going to be an issue because I have three guys I chose to do it this year to bring in next year... (Others) are getting so much experience."

Parrotta is obviously speaking of the three transfer players that have to sit out this year due to NCAA eligibility rules. Freddy Asprilla is a 6-10 senior from Kansas State. Isaac Sosa is a 6-3 senior as well from Central Florida; and Jordan Heath, brother of freshman center Josiah Heath is a 6-10 junior from NAIA Roberts Wesleyan. "We could have brought in three more players that would have helped with depth, but not the level of player that is sitting out; But we don't fold up the season and just look forward to next year."