Through the course of an 18-5 start, followed by an inconsistent 20-21 stretch, and then a 13-game winning streak that clinched their first division title in 19 years, the New York Knicks have taken their fans on a bumpy ride this season.
Yet, through it all, the Knicks appear to be playing some of their best basketball at just the right time. Poised to lock up the two seed in the Eastern Conference, they’re starting to give their fans ample reasons to believe that they can legitimately challenge for an NBA title this year, even with the imposing defending champion Miami Heat standing in the way. Here are four reasons for optimism:
The Golden Eagles will play for the title in their first season as members of the Southland Conference.
From the beginning of the season coach Misti Cussen knew that McNeese State would be their biggest test. After two regular season losses Cussen said “We knew it would be a real battle when we had a chance to meet them again.”
The first few minutes saw these two teams go back and forth as they tried to find what worked and fix what didn’t. At the second media timeout ORU trailed 17-13. Turnovers and easy baskets put ORU back on top where they would stay for the remainder of the half. All seven Golden Eagles put points on the board before the half, led by Senior Kevi Luper who had nine. Jaci Bigham had her hands in every area of the game posting five points, five rebounds, and six assists.
The Golden Eagles set the tone early with their defensive pressure and fluid offensive movement. The first five minutes clearly belonged to the blue and gold. Warren Niles was hot in the first half as he has been so often this season. He was 4-5 from the field and 4-6 from the free throw line for 12 of ORU’s 36 first half points.
Despite losing in the Southland Conference Tournament, ORU’s men’s basketball team wasn’t finished with the season yet.
The first few minutes saw these two teams go back and forth as they tried to find what worked and fix what didn’t. At the second media timeout ORU trailed 17-13. Turnovers and easy baskets put ORU back on top where they would stay for the remainder of the half. All seven Golden Eagles put points on the board before the half, led by Senior Kevi Luper who had nine. Jaci Bigham had her hands in every area of the game posting five points, five rebounds, and six assists.
