Another Belmont Abbey Surprise
After beating Walsh, Belmont Abbey pulled off another surprise, beating Wheeling by the tune of 45-3.
That followed for Wheeling a loss to St. Bonaventure in which they game up 36 unanswered points in the second half. So in their last 120 minutes the Cardinals have had 81 points scored against them, which is not optimal.
For Belmont Abbey, a young team is finding its stride.
"We're working week by week to keep progressing," said Belmont Abbey Head Coach Genaro Fessia. "We're in the middle of a learning process. Obviously, winning helps build confidence and belief in the plan."
Against Wheeling the Crusaders went into the match knowing the way to stop their speedy players was to attack their big players.
"We had to stop the forwards' onslaught," said Fessia. "If they gain momentum, they become unstoppable. My boys did that and improved upon it."
So with that Belmont Abbey jumps to third (note GRR said they wouldn't win another game this season two weeks ago; since then they are 2-0). Abbey will play Walsh for 3rd overall in the playoff, while Wheeling slips to 5th after a strong start and plays Kutztown for 5th.
Meanwhile, #1 seed St. Bonaventure had the week off from conference play and lost to Penn State 45-38. It should be noted, however, that several younger players on the SBU roster got the start in that game. What was served to do was put more players in the program under pressure.
Head Coach Danny Neighbour did the same in a 20-11 win over St. Thomas of Florida.
