As I sit at the scores desk typing and thinking about today’s HUGE AMC Conference match-up between the Pioneers and the Raiders, I think how much this game did not have to mean anything at all. What if the Pioneers took care of Notre Dame at home instead of blowing the 18 point lead that they had. Or if they would have finished the job against a team like Cedarville of Shawnee State. Or if they would have show up for certain games like the home game against Daemen or the road game against Northwestern Ohio? Too bad playing the what if game does not really matter much at all, and the Pioneers have to win today against the Raiders to have hope of the playoffs. Here is what has to happen:
1. Point Park needs to win in every scenario
2. If Daemen beats Houghton, UNOH beats Wilberforce, and Notre Dame loses to Walsh, the Pioneers would be a in 3-way tie of the 6th and 7th seeds. Due to tiebreakers, PPU would get the 6th, and Houghton the 7
3. If Daemen beats Houghton, UNOH beats Wilberforce, and Notre Dame beats Walsh, that would put the Pioneers in a 4-way tie for the 6th and 7th spots. Due to tiebreakers, that would put UNOH in 6th, and PPU in 7th.
4. There are other scenarios but these two are the most likely.
Point Park dominated the Raiders in their meeting at CCAC, April Austin just went off and killed RWC from the outside. Austin might need a similar performance tonight if the Pioneers hope to go to the AMC playoffs.
Keys to the Game: PPU: 1. Shoot well from the outside: In their last game, PPU went inside early and often. We are going to have to see if the Pioneers do that again this afternoon. If they do, they will have to utilize the open looks from the outside and knock them down, if they do that, they should have easy pickings against RWC
2. Guard bigs well: McMillion is the star for Roberts, she is the only threat for this team. If the Pioneers can stop her then they should be able to get the win.
3. Focus: Playoffs are on the line today, focus and get the win.
Roberts: Establish McMillion: Go into her early and often, all day long. They have played better as of late and it has been because of her. If she can get on a roll on the inside look at for the Raiders.
2. Rebound: When the Pioneers struggle it is usually because they do not rebound well. In the past game against Daemen, the Pioneers only allowed 3 offensive rebounds. Roberts has to do better than that on the offense end of the floor.
Thats in for today, don’t forget to listen to the game today on the MSA Sports Network at www.msasports.net Game time is shortly at 2 oclock.