REGIS HOPES TO KNOCK-OFF TCCC LEADING GORDON COLLEGE

Weston, Mass.—Having lost its last two The Commonwealth Coast Conference match-ups to quality opponents, Regis College (8-11, 4-3 TCCC) will have a tough night when it faces conference leading Gordon College (15-3, 7-0 TCCC) Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.

Great Scots…

Gordon will enter Wednesday’s game having knocked off TCCC foe Endicott College 64-55. Aaron Trigg tallied a game-high 26 points versus the Seagulls, and is currently second in the conference in average points per game (19.3). In all 18 games played by Gordon Trigg is averaging 17.8 PPG.

Without question Trigg is a prominent player in the Scots offense. He is just under 40 percent (39-of-98) from behind the three-point line, an area that will hurt Regis if it does not defend aggressively.

Two other players that will play a role in the Scots offense will be Brady Bajema and Greg Walker. Bajema is second in points per game with 13.6, Walker adds 12.6 PPG in the teams 18 contests.

Walker is the better of the three from behind the three-point line, making 44-of-83 (.530) attempts.

Gordon has a solid offense and defense that will take the floor Wednesday. All teams are beatable, as is Gordon. The Scots are ranked four places behind Regis in average conference scoring at 70.6 PPG, which means that they can be held under control.

The Kings of the jungle…

Phil Alibrandi has been a consistent player for the Pride through the first half of the season, and even entering conference play. Alibrandi is averaging 11.7 PPG for Regis, and does so quietly most nights.

He has the ability to score big or contribute where you need him. He scored a season-high 24 points against Eastern Nazarene (01/23/10). As a role player he could be huge for Regis Wednesday.

If no one lights up the scoreboard for Regis against Gordon expect Alibrandi to contribute at least double figures in the points column, and more than eight rebounds for the Pride.

Always worth mentioning are Jesse Vega, Derrick Neal, and James Cooper. Averaging 13.2, 10.8, and 9.6 PPG these three hold crucial roles in Regis’ ability to keep the game close.

Vega will have to be more of a factor on the boards as he is currently second on the team averaging 5.4 RPG, just -0.2 behind Cooper. Not to take away from his ability to score, but if he increases the Pride’s second chance opportunities he’ll be instrumental in keeping the game closer than Gordon would like.

Much to the Scots dismay Vega is stellar from the free-throw line, making 81.7 percent of his attempts.

Neal and Cooper will add a “wow” factor to the game. Neal is averaging 12.2 PPG in conference play; five points lower than his 2008-09 season performance. Nonetheless, Neal has the ability to get to the basket and score. He’ll have to find his spots on the floor and make big shots Wednesday.

Cooper is capable of creating his own shot, and is deadly when near the basket. He not only creates from himself, but for his teammates as well. As an able floor leader he must recognize when to do what.

With changing starting fives each week, Regis will certainly leave Gordon in the dark as to who will be the likely fifth player.

Recent players to fill that spot have been Jonathan Josselin, Darrin Kelly, and Jimmy Irmiter; all three are capable of adding points for Regis.