January 6, 2012

Marist center Andrew Martinez (right) goes up for two of his 15 points. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

Hoboken at Marist Boys Basketball Photo Gallery

BAYONNE – With a host of first-time players and a seemingly new lineup each night, there's been few constants for Marist in the first three weeks of the season.

Center Andrew Martinez is one of those few constants.

Martinez was a force inside for the Royal Knights, scoring 15 points and pulling down 20 rebounds in a 60-52 victory last night over Hoboken.

"He's definitely been, by far, our most consistent guy all year," Marist head coach Tony Romano said. "He's been doing a good job scoring in the paint, an excellent job rebounding, he's been blocking some shots and defending well. He's without a doubt our most consistent player."

Right from the start Martinez and Marist (4-2) took advantage of the size advantage in the paint, scoring the game's first five points.

The 6-foot-4 Martinez, who nearly had a double-double in the first half (nine points, eight rebounds) was equally adept in transition and the half-court sets.  A point that was made evident late in the third quarter when he made a steal at midcourt and raced down the floor for an old-fashion three-point play to make it 49-25.

"He's a strong player," Hoboken head coach Derek Piccini said. "He'll go right through your arms, he'll go through your body and its tough because he finishes. He always finishes the plays. Every time he went up, we fouled him and he made the basket anyway."

With Martinez controlling the paint, Marist's deep group of guards and wings provided relentless pressure on the defensive end as their full-court press helped create 18 turnovers in the first half.

Their depth was also evident on the offensive side as eight different Royal Knights scored in a 31-12 first half.

"We've been trying to figure out all year long, just mixing and matching, trying to find the right combination," Romano said. "It differs each game."

Trailing by 27 after three quarters, Hoboken (2-5) went on a furious run in the fourth, opening up the period on an 18-2 run. Carlos Garcia cut the deficit down to single digits with a driving basket to make it 54-45 with 1:19 left. A Marquise Hanberry trey and Marist turnover gave the Red Wings the ball down by seven with 22 seconds left, but it was as close as they would get.

"We kept going forward and we cut down the lead and they did a great job with that," Piccini said. "It was all heart."

Junior Anthony Purvis scored eight points during Hoboken's fourth quarter run and finished with a game-high 22 points and nine rebounds. Garcia had 12 points, six rebounds and five assists and Hanberry scored all seven of his points in the final period.

Joel Elder added 12 points for Marist, which also received 10 points for Alquan Jones and eight from Jaron Smith.

Hoboken's Marquise Hanberry had seven points and four assists in defeat. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

Hoboken at Marist Boys Basketball Photo Gallery