Home Editor's Picks The Relentless Pressure Of Goodwin & Thatch Seal Victory For Billikens

The Relentless Pressure Of Goodwin & Thatch Seal Victory For Billikens

by W.E. Sauls

North Carolina Central University, with a name longer than most law firms you could look at the schedule and think, “this has gotta be a get right game.” It’s in the middle of December, after finals, and between two ranked opponents… it’s a game primed for a bow out, get confidence back up to 100%, and head into Saturday’s tilt against Florida State assured again that you can beat anyone, anywhere.

But… even the best laid plans of mice and men…

The first half was as poor of a half as SLU has played in 2 seasons. They trailed 36-31 to the 337th ranked team in the nation and had as many turnovers and field goals, 11. Only Javon Bess had a half of note. 11 points, 5 boards, and 4 dimes. Could he infect the rest of the squad? Could they muster even a hint of offense against a press with obvious holes?

So what do you do when an inferior team is pressing you to death? Turnabout is fair play.

The game was dragging out like high school in April just praying In vain for the summer to come. Then, Coach Ford turned them loose. They started to press NCCU in a fashion that would make Nolan Richardson smile. Back to back steals to dunks finally woke up the Wednesday night STL crowd.

A nine point lead evaporated like a sidewalk puddle in the Midwestern summer sun. 45-44 SLU with 13:20 to go. And a press that did not stop.

The next thing that happened? Jordan Goodwin happened.

If you ever wat an example of one guy going straight Alpha Dog all over an opponent, just study the tape of J-Good’s second half. He took over the game, the arena, hell, he could’ve taken over Planet Earth if he wanted to during the final 20 minutes.

If this Jordan Goodwin shows up for 40 minutes every night, a path to an A-10 title is clear. His energy lit up the entire squad, especially Fred Thatch Jr. At the peak of the press with Goodwin by his side they wreaked havoc on the Eagles attempt at offense. Steal after steal after forced errant pass. It was a defensive clinic. They kept the crowd in it and pushed the lead to 13 with 8:33 left in the contest.

NCCU would make a last gasp driving the lead down to 6, and a nod to them for having zero quit in their game. But, in the end the Billikens proved too much to handle. A 30-4 Billiken run took nearly everything from the Eagles and SLU didn’t stop the pressure until the final buzzer sounded to mark the end of a 74-65 win.

Quick Hits

Fred Thatch– Dude was +20 on the night. He had an unimpressive stat line, 4, 3, and 2. But, man… it did not tell the story. He was as big a part of the comeback as anyone on the court. “We love it when he’s on the floor” was Coach Ford’s take on Thatch in the postgame presser. And well, the thousands in attendance did as well.

Javon Bess– JB was solid as ever. 19 points, 6 boards, 6 assists, and 1 steal. His presence and consistency cannot be overstated. He was the reason this game was even close in the first half.

The Mouth of Jordan Goodwin– When he’s quiet things don’t go well. But as Coach Ford said tonight, “When’s he’s fired up, it gets everyone else fired up… he can affect the game in a lot of ways… a lot of ways.” And in that 7-8 minute stretch of 2nd half pressing, Goodwin was beyond fired up.

Hashan French on the fast break- I am scared for the rim when the kid from the Big Apple gets a full head of steam and attacks the tin in a way that would get a nod from the Human Highlight Film. He could have torn down a more fickle rim, but thank the basketball gods the one tonight withstood his test.

Up next is a trip to the sunshine state and a date with the 10th ranked Florida State Seminoles. It’s yet another chance to prove their merit on the nation stage. Yet another chance to prove they belong in the big dance. Yet another chance to show the nation that St. Louis is a hoops town…

Until next time… long live the Alpha Dog.

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