Game Night from Rochester
Feb
2008
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — I had some trepidation about making this trip last night when I saw the weather that was waiting to roll in, and 389 miles later, while I did get here, I’m not sure how. Thankfully it was above 40 degrees today — more like a March day in Virginia than a February day in Pennsylvania — so the majority of my meandering up U.S. 15 was in the rain instead of snow.
Hoping for a pair of good games, featuring three Top 10 teams and a perennial power. After this, I’ll have seen D-III events on six of the eight UAA campuses and just have to figure out a way to get to Brandeis and Case.
The women’s game is about to tip off. You can listen to both on WYSL 1040.
Dave, your loss buddy. I survived the trip up.
Edited to post interview with Mike Neer as a podcast:


February 1st, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Between live video and trips to NYU, I’ve seen both of these teams in person multiple times, so it’s a bit easier to hit the ground running. Of course, I saw both not only against NYU last year, but at NYU, so I know I didn’t see either team at its best.
Rain turned to snow about 30 minutes south of Rochester and up here there’s really wet snow on the ground. They’re hopeful for a large crowd filtering in by the men’s game, since local high school games have been postponed. Wash U got here Thursday afternoon, so there was no danger of these games not getting played.
And as WYSL’s J.C. DeLass said about a half-hour before the game, “What else is there to do in Rochester on a Friday night?”
Note to self — banners hang from the wall behind each basket with prominent U of R teams, their record and each player on the team. The 1941-42 men’s basketball team has a Baroody on the roster, as does the 2007-08 women’s basketball team, starting guard Helen. Must check.
U of R out to an 11-8 lead nine minutes in.
February 1st, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Keep the updates coming! Go bears!
February 1st, 2008 at 6:25 pm
Freshman forward Kathryn Berger just raised some ire from Wash U coach Nancy Fahey by checking in for Janice Evans instead of Zoe Unruh.
Evans came to the bench and Fahey said, “You’re not out!”
(I’m thinking the officials would beg to differ at that point.)
February 1st, 2008 at 6:27 pm
Rochester surviving a 5-for-18 shooting performance in the early going. Trailing 6-13 with 6:17 in the half.
February 1st, 2008 at 6:27 pm
And Evans, who was not supposed to have come out of the game, just blocked a shot.
February 1st, 2008 at 6:48 pm
I’ve never been able to figure out where I should click on that WYSL page to get the audiocast…
February 1st, 2008 at 6:53 pm
It’s not the best placement, but it’s on the right-hand rail. Here’s a more direct link:
http://www.wysl1040.com/?pg=livestream
February 1st, 2008 at 6:58 pm
Thanks. I guess the problem is I don’t get a right-hand rail on that page, although the page is as wide as three pages.
On the other hand, the whole page could be considered a right-hand rail, from a certain perspective…:)
February 1st, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Or here, an even more direct link.
http://www.warpradio.com/tuner.asp?id=6643
February 1st, 2008 at 7:02 pm
Should’ve mentioned that Rochester didn’t finish the first half any better from the floor — they were 8-for-34 (23.5%), which means they finished 3-for-16.
The Yellowjackets’ Alex Porter led all scorers with six at the break, while Wash U was led by Shanna-Lei Dacanay’s five, including a bucket midway through the first half as the shot clock expired.
February 1st, 2008 at 7:08 pm
I become more and more impressed with Alex Porter for Rochester every time I see her play. She just had an excellent possession backing down her defender on the baseline for a basket.
This with Fahey screaming for help defense (which never came) all the way.
30-29 Wash U 11:26.
February 1st, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Elsewhere in the UAA, Emory scored 24 of the first 33 2nd half points to go out to 53-36 lead on NYU, but even as I type this while thinking of the Eagles’ collapse from a 17-point lead over Rochester last week, the Violets begin their comeback. Now 55-41 Emory, 12:23 2nd.
February 1st, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Thanks, David — that raised some eyebrows up here.
February 1st, 2008 at 7:12 pm
As a reminder of how young the Bears are, they have three freshmen and a sophomore on the floor.
February 1st, 2008 at 7:23 pm
Zoe Unruh picks up four No. 4. Replaced by freshman Kathryn Berger. 42-38 with 4:40 left at that time.
Julie Marriott made one of two free throws — missed the second. Rochester got an offensive rebound and eventually a basket.
February 1st, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Wash U just got called for what would be called illegal touching in football. Coach Fahey objects but official says it was a rule put in two years ago.
Rochester gets two offensive rebounds and Porter goes to the line, making both.
February 1st, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Big possession for Wash U ends in a shot clock violation with 1:10 left. Bears still up 1. Rochester takes a full TO.
February 1st, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Wash U has closed the rebounding gap, down 41-40. Leading 44-43 still. Rochester got another offensive rebound on its last trip down and has the ball under its basket.
Converts. Up 1.
February 1st, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Porter with a big defensive stop. Goes to the line to shoot two with 18.1 left.
February 1st, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Makes one of two.
February 1st, 2008 at 7:35 pm
Emory is going to hold on this time; they lead #21 NYU 72-55 with just over a minute left.
February 1st, 2008 at 7:35 pm
Freshman Alex Hoover (drove the lane) at the line to shoot two with 8.7 seconds left. Rochester took a time out.
February 1st, 2008 at 7:36 pm
Makes them both. Time out Wash U.
February 1st, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Porter’s drive and shot doesn’t fall and we go to overtime!
February 1st, 2008 at 7:39 pm
After 40 minutes, Porter 19 leads all scorers, nobody else in the game in double figures. Berger with nine points, 10 rebounds for Wash U but also eight turnovers.
February 1st, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Final score: Emory 80, #21 NYU 60.
February 1st, 2008 at 7:44 pm
I always wonder when I commit to making a long trip like this whether I’m wasting my time. (So often, a game that’s great on paper fizzles in reality.)
Not doubting this at all, and we still have at least 42 minutes of ball to go.
48-48 with 2:30 left in overtime.
Great scoop shot by Porter as she’s falling down in the lane. 50-48 Roch.
February 1st, 2008 at 7:45 pm
I went to Cleveland Sunday to watch the Rochester/Case doubleheader, and I was struck by how much the Rochester coaches (men’s coach Mike Neer and women’s coach Jim Scheible) resembled one another. Have you noticed that?
February 1st, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Physically? I’ll have to look more closely. With the generational difference I hadn’t made that connection.
February 1st, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Hoover three-point play cuts lead to one as we come up on one minute in OT.
February 1st, 2008 at 7:48 pm
Porter rebounds a miss, feeds Marriott for a bucket. Time out Wash U.
February 1st, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Wash U misses from three, forced to foul. Marriott makes one of two. Wash U rebounds down four. Airballs from three, Rochester ball with 12.7.
February 1st, 2008 at 7:56 pm
Yellowjackets make one to lead by five. Couple of Wash U free throws cut the lead to three with 1.0 left and Rochester couldn’t get the ball in so they took a timeout.
February 1st, 2008 at 7:57 pm
Inbounds to Porter and the ballgame ends: Rochester 58, Wash U 55.
February 1st, 2008 at 8:06 pm
As you prepare for the battle between the #1 and #3 men’s teams, take note of the fact that the #2 team has a fight on its hands tonight. #2 Amherst leads Colby at home, 51-50 with 9:28 left.
February 1st, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Amherst used some three-point shooting to establish a bit of a lead, and now they’re using the blocked shot to defend it. The Jeffs now lead 64-58 with 1:58 left.
February 1st, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Rochester fans chanting ON-yi-ROO-ka … now OO-chay. (Handy pronunciation guide.)
February 1st, 2008 at 8:31 pm
It appears that Amherst has held on; they’ve been leading 72-66 with 0:03 left for about 5 minutes now.
February 1st, 2008 at 8:36 pm
I hate when schools forget to make the game final in Stat Crew.
February 1st, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Troy Ruths’ first dunk of the night and by the way, we’re underway in Rochester.
February 1st, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Rob Dominiak, who missed Sunday’s game at Case with a wrist injury, started and already has a three for the Yellowjackets.
February 1st, 2008 at 8:48 pm
First highlight-reel basket of the night for Onyiriuka. Doesn’t complete the three-point play, however — shooting 34% from the line now.
February 1st, 2008 at 8:50 pm
Chmielowic hit a three off the fast break to give U of R an 18-10 lead with 10:13 left in the half. Wash U took a 30.
February 1st, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Pat, could you update the score every time you post? That would be very helpful.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Onyiriuka just pulled down a one-handed rebound at one end of the floor and scored on a one-handed tip-in on the offensive end. Wash U answered with a three and it’s 27-20 Rochester, 3:30 in the half.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Ruths with a big putback off a missed Wash U free throw and it’s a one-possession game again with a minute left in the half.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:08 pm
Dominiak hits a sick turnaround jumper to beat the halftime buzzer and Rochester leads 34-27.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Troy Ruths leads all scorers with 15 on 7-for-1 shooting. Dominiak has 11 for Rochester, with nine for Onyiriuka and eight for Chmielowiec.
Rochester shooting 13-for-24 from the floor (54%) and 5-for-11 from three-point range. Wash U 12-for-26 from the floor (46%) and 1-for-6 from downtown. Rochester with 16 rebounds to Wash U’s 12. Turnovers fairly even.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:21 pm
You’re finding out that, with Rochester, they’re not just unpronounceable, they’re unspellable!
February 1st, 2008 at 9:21 pm
It’s MUCH easier to pronounce these names, yes.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Kind of a ragged second half so far — tied at 44-all. Ndubizu had an extended break. Nading struggling from the floor (1-for-7).
February 1st, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Rob Dominiak just got the crowd into it with a three-pointer and four-point play.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:45 pm
I’ve been impressed with Alex Porter in 2 games against Scranton, including a 14 rebound effort in NCAA sweet 16 as a frosh; inch-4-inch possibly best rebounder in the country; played 4 Walter Johnson in Montgomery County as a high schooler.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:47 pm
Second half numbers: Roch 5-13 from the floor, 1-2 from downtown. Wash U 8-17 from the floor, 4-8 from downtown.
Jim Mandelaro notes seven lead changes since Wash U took the lead.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:47 pm
And Dominiak just DID IT AGAIN.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:48 pm
And an Uche dunk (not to gloss over Nading’s 18-foot jumper in between).
February 1st, 2008 at 9:49 pm
I don’t think I’ve ever been in a venue in D-III that was as loud as this place just was.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:51 pm
BTW, Wash U just keeps hitting shot after shot. Cam Smith with a three in the corner, second in the past five minutes.
Add a Smith steal and layup and Wash U up 58-54 with 3:00 left.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:53 pm
Nading heating up — another 18-foot jumper and a six-point lead for Wash U after three empty Rochester possessions. TO UR.
Just to ID Jim Mandelaro, since I mentioned him earlier — he covers the area schools for the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:53 pm
Pep band breaks out Final Countdown.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:54 pm
I really regret that I couldn’t see Dominiak play on Sunday in Cleveland. Plus Ndubizu didn’t play very well, either. But Onyiruka was very impressive, as was Chmielowiec. Nothing against Case, but I wish I could have seen them against top flight competition like you’re doing tonight.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Great game!
February 1st, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Ndubizu missed both foul shots but Onyiriuka putback cuts lead to 60-59 Wash U with 1:15.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Ruths basket, now has 21. Three-point lead and Rochester takes TO with 43.1 left.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:00 pm
hey pat, im a nescac fan and i dont want UorR in our region of the NCAAs, should i root for them to win or lose?
February 1st, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Rochester fouled on the inbounds, team sixth. Wash U couldn’t get the ball in, called timeout.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:04 pm
Yeah, I think it was worth the drive.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:06 pm
Yes so while I was shooting pictures, Ndubizu beat the buzzer to force OT.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:09 pm
come on, i had a serious question, how does david collinge get every inane comment posted?
February 1st, 2008 at 10:10 pm
Pat may be smileing all the way home after these two games.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:15 pm
Don’t think Ndubizu called glass on the first free throw here. Second make is a big one, up four with 51 seconds left.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Ruths answers again. We’re seeing some of the best post players in Division III tonight at their best.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:17 pm
oh my god pat, you must be so happy, im so glad you made it, dont you just love basketball, like OMG?!?
February 1st, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Wash U nearly forced a backcourt violation but Max Kaplan did a nice job getting it over the timeline. Wash U fouls with 23.4 left.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:18 pm
sac couldnt even spell smiling
February 1st, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Big Ruths miss on the first foul shot. 9.3 left. Second shot good. 72-70 Rochester.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Chmielowiec misses the first. Wash U still in this.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:23 pm
O’Boyle’s three no good. Rochester wins.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:24 pm
Looks like U of R wants a piece of that #1 spot again!
Anyone know what the UAA standings look like after tonight’s games?
February 1st, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Rochester 5-1
Wash U 5-1
Chicago 4-2
Brandeis/Emory 3-3
Carnegie/NYU 2-4
Case 0-6
February 1st, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Wash U and Rochester have rematches at the Field House in St. Louis a week from Sunday.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:30 pm
helluva fight in what was surely an incredible enviornment– nothing to be ashamed of… no time to hang heads as we travel to take on the Mellon heads on the road (who handled Chicago) in less than 48 hours… gotta love the UAA!
February 1st, 2008 at 10:32 pm
Got a thriller in San Antonio…#11 Centre has closed a 7-point gap with 1:14 left to tie up Trinity with 0:10 left. Trinity has led from the start; now they have the ball and ten seconds to win the game.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Going to OT in San Antonio.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:43 pm
wjn — to answer your question you probably want both teams to win out as much as possible. Rochester isn’t a tournament lock at 16-1 (if they end up 16-9, for example) but if they both end up at the top of their region and as two of the top teams overall, the committee may try to keep them apart.
Unfortunately, this committee hasn’t done much to do that in the past. Fortunately, this committee has new leadership this year.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:48 pm
All Centre in the OT, final score 78-69. TU just 1/7 shooting in the OT, and 0/3 from the line.
February 2nd, 2008 at 12:08 am
May have trouble sitting down tomorrow… after kicking myself many times tonight for missing out on the trip to Rochester!
Though… the game did go into overtime. And when I mentioned that to my fiance she said, “of course it did, you’re watching”. I have an unbelievable rate of seeing OT games this season! I think I have to count them up, but I may easily be at 10!
February 2nd, 2008 at 12:40 am
Some notes — I found out that the Baroody on the banner was Helen Baroody’s grandfather. The banners are the best team from each decade.
Wallis: Definitely an incredible environment. Your boys did well and have nothing to hang their heads about, really.
Highlights from the night, some of which are also posted on the front page. These are J.C. DeLass for WYSL 1040 in Rochester.
Women’s game, Alex Porter basket in overtime:
http://www.d3hoops.com/audio/08/rochportershotwashu.mp3
Men’s game, final possession of regulation:
http://www.d3hoops.com/audio/08/rochuchetiewashuendreg.mp3
Uche Ndubizu puts the Yellowjackets up for good in OT.
http://www.d3hoops.com/audio/08/rochucheinOTwashjcd.mp3
My postgame interview with coach Mike Neer:
http://www.d3hoops.com/audio/08/rochneerpostwashu.mp3