Sunday, November 16, 2014

FDU 73, Manhattan 54: Ray Floriani's Photo Essay

BRONX, NY - ’Friday Night Lights’ giving way to Friday night hoops in Riverdale on the campus of Manhattan College, and, yes the venerable Ronnie of Jasper fan fame is on hand at press row. 

Tonight it is women’s basketball. FDU visiting Manhattan and the ‘night cap’ of a twin bill that began at noon in South Orange. In that one, Seton Hall knocked off Rider in a WNIT meeting.

This contest reinforces the simple truth that the game is 40 minutes. Manhattan leads by nine with two minutes to play in the opening half. All seems well with John Olenowski’s club. FDU closes to within three at the break.

The second half is all FDU. The Knights post a convincing 73-54 victory. By late second half, Ronnie is discussing the prospects of the men’s meeting with Florida State the next day.

Post game after meeting with FDU coach Pete Cinella, yours truly enjoyed chatting with Erika Livermore of FDU. The junior center sat out last season with an ACL injury. She talked about her rehabilitation over the summer and how there was no loss of lateral mobility. Livermore, an outstanding player and interview, scored 22 points adding 16 boards, both game highs. She virtually kept FDU in it the first half before teammates and the overall defense stepped up the final twenty minutes to give FDU the win, and serve a succinct reminder that the game is 40 minutes and the effort should match.


Friday night at Manhattan College with a distinctive landmark in the background:
"Tiny Dancers," with noted reference to Elton John...the Jasper dance team provides a friendly greeting on entering Draddy Gymnasium:
The Manhattan zone was a "Twilight Zone" for the FDU offense in the first half:
FDU assistants react while head coach Pete Cinella sizes up the play in deep thought:
On the left is a good officiating friend, Leslie Porschen, whom I have had the pleasure of working with. On the right is Theresa Funk, discussing a play during a timeout:
Manhattan coach John Olenowski discusses the contest after the game with Jaden Daly:
Thirty minutes following the final buzzer, "tear down" is in full swing:

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