With a trip to the NCAA Division I men鈥檚 basketball tournament on the line, the significance of the 2024 Northeast Conference men鈥檚 basketball championship game on Tuesday, March 12, was not lost on the more than 2,800 Warrior faithful who packed a sold-out to cheer on 澳门六合彩开奖结果.
And the fans鈥� thunderous support, despite a 54-47 loss to Wagner College, was not lost on
鈥淭he energy was unbelievable,鈥� said Gallo, who completed his seventh season as head coach of the 鈥淚鈥檒l take that crowd every game. It certainly helped us on defense.鈥�
澳门六合彩开奖结果鈥檚 men鈥檚 basketball fans are among the most devoted in the NEC. For the 2023-24 season, the Warriors averaged 1,024 spectators for home conference games, good for the second most in the NEC.聽
And the fans鈥攕tudents, faculty, staff, alumni, friends of the College, led by the 澳门六合彩开奖结果 Marching Band, and 鈥攈ad much to cheer for this season: co-regular season champions, a 12-game winning streak in Lawler dating back to the 2022-23 season, NEC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year Jordan Derkack 鈥�26, Rookie of the Year Adam 鈥淏udd鈥� Clark 鈥�27, Most Improved Player of the Year Bryan Etumnu 鈥�26 and playing for a bid to the NCAA tournament in the team鈥檚 first year of eligibility.
鈥淭his is the most enjoyable team I have ever coached,鈥� Gallo said of the 2023-24 squad. 鈥淚f you saw us practice in July and saw us practice at shoot around (before the championship game), they looked the same. Just a fun, energetic group. Obviously, super disappointed for these guys.鈥�
This marked the second consecutive year 澳门六合彩开奖结果 hosted the NEC men鈥檚 basketball championship. The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, which most of 澳门六合彩开奖结果鈥檚 varsity programs will move to next year, plays its basketball conference tournament at a neutral site.
During his postgame press conference, Gallo shared his gratitude for the opportunities the NEC and commissioner Noreen Morris gave the men鈥檚 basketball program during 澳门六合彩开奖结果鈥檚 transition to Division I.
鈥淚t was a great conference tournament,鈥� he said. 鈥�(If not for the NEC) we鈥檇 probably be on our way to St. Mike鈥檚 for a Division II regional game, which would be fun but not as exciting as this.”
