By Chris Quartarone
GOFFSTOWN – The Saint Anselm men’s basketball team has neither won
nor lost more than two games in a row this season. Even within a single game,
consistency has eluded the Hawks.
St. A, down 17 points in the second half, battled to within three before losing
to rival Southern New Hampshire University, 85-81, on Thursday, Jan. 10.
“I’m unbelievably disappointed,” said Keith Dickson, Saint
Anselm’s head coach. “It was a game you think you can win with a
performance like that.”
The Hawks shot 61.3 percent from the field in the second half and 50 percent
for the game, but it wasn’t enough to take the lead from the Penmen.
St. Anselm co-captain Jeff Dickson of Bedford was held to two points and spent
much of the game in foul trouble, playing only 23 minutes.
“Every time Jeff gets in foul trouble, our team goes down the tubes,” Dickson
said.
“We can’t afford to have him off the court.”
The coach said the strong inside play of SNHU, especially center Sam Carey’s
performance, hurt the Hawks down the stretch.
Penmen guard Troy Bowen tossed in a career-high 28 points. He made 3 of 6 three-pointers
and was 11-for-20 from the field overall.
“Anytime someone’s dropping 28 points on you, it makes it hard, but
I feel we still could have won this game,” said Dickson.
St. A co-captain Chris Vetrano was a bright spot, scoring 21 points and dishing
seven assists.
And Dickson was happy with the play of two of his freshmen; guard Thomas Baudinet
chipped in 15 points and forward John Tello matched that, adding six rebounds.
“Parts of our performance were good,” said Dickson.
Dickson said he’s frustrated because his team can defeat some of the league’s
best, then lose to beatable squads.
“Honestly, I don’t know what to expect anymore, but hopefully we
can turn it around,” he said.
St. Anselm continued its uneven pattern, bouncing back with a win a 75-71 win
over St. Michael’s on Saturday, Jan. 12.