POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - The Marist Athletics Department announced the men's basketball schedule for November and December on Tuesday. The first two months of the 2012-13 season will include four games at McCann Arena, including the Red Foxes' first two Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) contests.
The Red Foxes will open this season, their fifth under head coach Chuck Martin, at Patriot League foe Colgate on Wednesday, Nov. 14. This is a return game from the 2011-12 season, in which Marist prevailed 81-73 at McCann Arena behind 23 points in 26 minutes from Chavaughn Lewis.
Game two will take place at Columbia of the Ivy League on Saturday, Nov. 17. Last season, Marist earned a 79-59 victory at McCann Arena on Dec. 28 behind four double-digit scorers, paced by Devin Price's 22 points.
The third, fourth and fifth games on this year's schedule were previously announced, as they will take place in the Old Spice Classic in Orlando, Fla. Marist will open the tournament against West Virginia on Thursday, Nov. 22 - Thanksgiving Day. The Red Foxes will then face either Vanderbilt or Davidson the following day, and will conclude the tournament against UTEP, Oklahoma, Clemson or Gonzaga on Sunday, Nov. 25.
After returning from Florida, Marist's next contest will be at Hudson River Valley neighbor Army on Tuesday, Dec. 4. It will be the Red Foxes' first trip to West Point since Dec. 30, 2001. Last season, Marist held Army scoreless over the final 3:14 to earn a 59-56 comeback victory.
Marist's first two contests at McCann Arena this season will also be its first two games against MAAC opponents. The Red Foxes open their home and conference slates against Manhattan on Friday, Dec. 7. Marist will then host Canisius on Sunday, Dec. 9. Dating back to the 2006-07 season, the Red Foxes have won their last five MAAC home games in December, which includes a 4-0 mark under Coach Martin.
After a week off for final exams, the Red Foxes will have three games in seven days against opponents they also faced last season. On Sunday, Dec. 16, Maine will visit McCann Arena in a re-match of last year's BracketBusters contest, won by Marist 77-71 on the strength of a 24-point, nine-rebound effort from Lewis. Marist will then travel to 2012 Patriot League regular-season champion and Postseason NIT participant Bucknell on Wednesday, Dec. 19. The Red Foxes' final game before Christmas will come at Hartford on Saturday, Dec. 22. Last year's meeting between the Red Foxes and Hawks was a double-overtime thriller on Poughkeepsie won by Marist, 89-86.
Marist will close out the 2012 portion of its schedule by hosting College of Charleston on New Year's Eve. It will be the first meeting in program history between the Red Foxes and Cougars, who compete in the Southern Conference.
The final 16 of Marist's 18 MAAC games, as well as game times, will be released at a later date. The Red Foxes will also host a BracketBusters contest in February at McCann Arena. The date and opponent will also be announced later.
Red Fox Club memberships for the 2012-13 are on sale now at GoRedFoxes.com. The renewal deadline for current club members is Monday, Sept. 10.
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