Just check the scouting report. Jairus McCollum is known asan erratic player who doesn’t play hard all the time. Well, a newMcCollum showed up Saturday when the Seawolves beat the Sacred Heart Pioneers,75-68, in overtime.
He announced his arrival with 21 points, 14 rebounds andfive assists in Stony Brook’s first win in a season opener since 1997.
‘?We’ve had our differences,’ coach NickMacarchuk said as McCollum wrapped an arm around him . ‘?But Jay has beenunbelievable for us. ‘?He’s worked hard and he’s keeping hismouth shut, and he’s played great since the preseason.’
McCollum’s contribution is welcomed with what hasbecome known as ‘?The Cavalry’ sitting on the bench. Last season’s leading scorer, junior guard D.JMunir, is academically ineligible for the first semester. Fordham transfer Tyrone Stallings and Cori Spencer, who willlikely start, are also ineligible until Dec. 21.
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So with a couple of dunks that nearly brought down the rim,McCollum showed that the Seawolves weren’t going to roll over and justwait for The Cavalry to arrive.
‘?There’s a lot of pressure on those of us whowere here last year,’ he said. ‘?We have to show that we’renot the same guys that went six and whatever last year season.’
Last season the Seawolves lost 12 of their first 13 games and finished 6-20.
With Munir watching in street clothes the Seawolves looked abit tight in the first half, shooting 31.3% from the field.
‘?I think they were nervous early, but as the game wenton they relaxed and played harder,’ Macarchuk said.
The Pioneers jumped to a 19-8 lead early in the first half.
But McCollum showed his renewed work ethic after beingcalled for a foul and a traveling violation by answering with a two-handedtomahawk dunk that capped a 12-0 run putting SBU ahead 20-19. Sacred Heart ledat halftime 27-24.
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Macarchuk said his team had plenty of opportunities to quitduring the game but never gave in. ‘?I told them, ‘Go out there anddon’t play and we’ll blame it on D.J,’ he said. ‘?Wehave to prove to ourselves that we can win without D.J.’
The void Munir left was filled by freshman Bobby Santiago inhis debut. He finished with 16 points and four assists in 34 minutes. Santiagoearned extra time for his hustle and starter Larry Jennings (four assists, sixsteals) was in foul trouble most of the game.
Santiago scored nine of the team’s 13 points in theextra period, including a 19-foot jumper and forced a turnover that put histeam ahead for good, 66-64, and ignited an 11-0 run to close the game.
With all the scoring, it was Stony Brook’s defensethat sealed the game. They forced 32 turnovers and 18 steals with a trapping,pressure defense that Macarchuk preached since the first day of practice. Andeven when it broke down they were able to come up with plays like MikeKonopka’s block with three seconds remaining that sent the game into OT.
‘?That in itself is the defense that wins thegame,’ Macarchuk said.
