STANDISH — A few things are pretty clear about the St. Joseph’s College men’s basketball team this season.

The Monks have shooters. They have poise. And they have plans.

The No. 1-seed Monks rolled through their Great Northeast Athletic Conference tournament opener with an 82-71 win over Mount Ida at the Alfond Center on Tuesday night.

The Monks (19-7) went 9-2 in their last 11 games to earn the program’s first No. 1 seed since joining the GNAC.

They will face No. 4-seed Norwich at home on Thursday with a spot in the title game on the line. Game time was not available Tuesday night.

“I thought our guys did a great job with poise,” said St. Joseph’s Coach Rob Sanicola. “They just moved it and found the open guy. We did that all year and nothing changed.

“It’s that first playoff game. Guys are so excited, but they made that extra pass and found the open guy.”

Four players finished with double-digit points and senior guard Zach O’Brien completed a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds.

Guard Chris Petzy scored 20, Saco’s Tyler Kelley put up 16 with five 3-pointers and a free throw. Portland’s Anthony Savino scored 10 inside.

“We have good shooters but it’s predicated on that drive and kick,” said Kelley. “Our guards get into the lane and take two defenders. If they’re moving, we’re getting shots.”

St. Joe’s took a 45-33 lead into halftime, and led by as many as 22.

Mount Ida had a strong perimeter game, using a series of six 3-pointers in the first half alone to stay in the game. In the second half, the Mustangs rallied with two late runs: 13-3 and 6-1. But they never got within 10.

“We know we have a target on our back,” said O’Brien. “And right now it’s win or go home.”

The Monks closed the regular season with an 80-74 win at Mount Ida just last Saturday — a tighter win than they’d hoped for. That locked up the No. 1 seed.

“Being the No. 1 seed is just like any other game. It’s just nice to be at home,” said Kelley, who had family and friends in the stands.

He said the team has been close since the season began, but has grown closer.

“It’s a great recruiting class. Once everyone was on the same page, we knew we would be a deadly team,” said Kelley.

O’Brien agreed. He said, “We started to come together over Christmas break and we’re definitely clicking now. The chemistry is there.”

Staff Writer Jenn Menendez can be contacted at 791-6426 or at:

jmenendez@pressherald.com

 

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