Marywood University Pacers

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Men's Basketball 2/11/2022 7:01:00 PM

Luau Day Set for Saturday's Atlantic East Doubleheader

Both men's and women's basketball look for season sweep over Centenary

Scranton, Pa. — Unseasonable temperatures in Scranton this week has Marywood University thinking ahead to summer. The Pacers look to capitalize on the 50-degree February days with a Hawai'ian theme on Saturday.

The Pacers will host a Lūʻau Day as part of its Atlantic East Conference basketball doubleheader with Centenary University. The Athletics Department will host the event in promotion of a raucous student fan atmosphere ahead of a key Atlantic East matchup for both the men's and women's basketball teams. Free food and leis will be available to Marywood students by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

Marywood fans are asked to attend in bright-colored or beach-themed attire. (Or, even better Hawaiian shirts.) Maxis, Marywood's beloved horse mascot, will be joining the crowd in its own Hawaiian costume.

The Marywood women's basketball team will tip-off against Centenary at 1 p.m. in the Insalaco Arena. The Pacers' men's basketball squad will take on the Cyclones at approximately 3 p.m.

Maxis will lead a dance-off at halftime and a limbo competition between games. Leis hawaii

More than 600 fans showed up for Marywood's White Out Night earlier this season.

WBB Scouting Report

Marywood (8-10, 3-5 AEC) is reeling after one of its most compelling come-from-behind victories in the past decade. Jennifer Carleton's squad erased a nine-point deficit in the last 1:40 to down Neumann 73-70 in overtime. The Pacers trailed by as many as 13 in the last five minutes. Savannah Purdy forced overtime with a layup with nine seconds remaining in overtime as part of a 17-point affair. Abbey McGee knocked down the go-ahead jumper as the shot clock expired in overtime.

The Pacers stand in sixth place in the Atlantic East, a half game behind fifth-place Neumann (9-13, 4-5) and one game back from fourth-place Cabrini (10-11, 5-4). Purdy ranks sixth in scoring during conference play with 13.9 ppg. Olivia Ciullo is eighth with 13.6 points per game, and she tops the team with 6.3 rebounds per game against AEC opponents. Together, they are fourth and third, respectively, in field goal percentage.

Marywood defeated Centenary 52-42 in Hackettstown, N.J. on Jan. 19. Ciullo led Marywood with 14 points and nine rebounds. Carmen Escano had a game-high 19 points for the Cyclones. Taylor Bossert averages 13.6 points per game against conference opponents. Centenary (7-10, 0-8 AEC) looks for its first Atlantic East win.

MBB Scouting Report

Much like its previous meeting, Marywood (7-13, 2-6 AEC) looks to snap a four-game losing streak at the hands of Centenary. In that matchup, Enrico Mastroianni's squad had an epic 90-76 comeback of its own. Marywood erased a 15-point deficit at halftime to outscore his former team by an outstanding 62-33 margin in the second half. Adam Boussatta matched a career-high performance with 28 points. Both Brendan Franko (21) and Jason Holman (20) enjoyed impressive offensive outings.

Holman ranks third in conference play with 18.3 points per game. Boussatta ranks sixth in points (15.9 ppg) and seventh in rebounds (7.3 rpg) against Atlantic East opponents. Brandon Reed is the Atlantic East leader with a .885 free throw percentage. Corey Perkins is tied for fourth in steals per game (1.9).

Saturday's game will break a tie for sixth place between the two teams. Each of them sit a half-game behind fifth-place Cabrini. The Cyclones (8-10, 2-6 AEC) are on a three-game losing streak after back-to-back upsets over Cabrini and Gwynedd Mercy. Chris Labelle is the Atlantic East's second-leading scoring in conference play with 19.4 points per game. Billy Veras stands fourth with 17 points averaged in seven contests. Isaac Poueriet is the Atlantic East leader with a .697 field goal percentage.

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Players Mentioned

#12 Adam Boussatta: F; 6' 4"; Senior

#30 Jason Holman: F; 6' 6"; Junior

#1 Corey Perkins: G; 6' 1"; Sophomore

#2 Brandon Reed: G; 5' 10"; Freshman

#21 Brendan Franko: G; 6' 2"; Freshman

#33 Savannah Purdy: G; 5' 7"; Junior

#34 Abbey McGee: G; 5' 6"; Freshman

#22 Olivia Ciullo: G; 5' 8"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#12 Adam Boussatta
: 6' 4"; Senior
: F

#30 Jason Holman
: 6' 6"; Junior
: F

#1 Corey Perkins
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: G

#2 Brandon Reed
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: G

#21 Brendan Franko
: 6' 2"; Freshman
: G

#33 Savannah Purdy
: 5' 7"; Junior
: G

#34 Abbey McGee
: 5' 6"; Freshman
: G

#22 Olivia Ciullo
: 5' 8"; Freshman
: G