POUGHKEEPSIE – The Marist men’s basketball team earned its fourth straight win on Saturday afternoon, defeating UMBC by a score of 76-73 in overtime at McCann Arena. The win marks Marist's best start after 10 games, now standing at 8-2 for the season, the best since the 2006-07 season.
The game began with Marist taking an early lead of 5-2, but UMBC quickly turned the momentum. They executed a 5-0 run to pull ahead 13-9, and they extended their lead to 37-27, which was their largest lead of the game, late in the first half. Marist, showing resilience, closed the half with a 9-0 run, tying the game at 39 thanks to Josh Pascarelli’s three-pointer.
Coming out for the second half, the Red Foxes continued their streak, scoring four unanswered points to take the lead at 43-39. Their defense was strong, holding UMBC scoreless for over four minutes during this run. Back and forth the teams went, with both sides trading leads multiple times. UMBC regained their lead on several occasions, including with Marcus Banks Jr.'s three-pointer giving them the advantage at 53-50 with just over 12 minutes left.
Marist countered with another 6-0 run, but UMBC answered back to push their lead to 67-61 late in regulation. Marist, not willing to go down without a fight, battled back to tie the game thanks to impressive performances from Jadin Collins-Roberts, who scored clutch points down the stretch. Lewis’s two free throws with 19 seconds left brought Marist back to equalize at 70-70, pushing the game to overtime.
Overtime started with UMBC taking the lead, but Marist scored the final six points, holding the Retrievers scoreless for the last three minutes and 40 seconds. Collins-Roberts made the decisive layup, giving Marist the lead for good, with two more free throws sealing the victory. This win is significant, not just for the statistics, but for what it signifies about the team's potential moving forward.
Meanwhile, the West Point Band has announced its exciting 2025 Winter Concert Series, showcasing the Army’s oldest musical organization across the Hudson Valley and throughout the Northeast from January to April. The band aims to deliver performances filled with diverse music spanning traditional band repertoire, Sousa marches, and patriotic tunes.
Concerts kick off with the Academy Wind Quintet on January 25 at the Nanuet Public Library. Highlights of the series include three performances themed "Dance With Me" featuring classics such as James Reese Europe’s "Castle House Rag" and Rachmaninoff’s "Symphonic Dance No. 1," scheduled for February 14, 15, and 16, 2025. Vocal performances will also be infused with charm, featuring pieces popularized by Michael Bublé and the late Frank Sinatra.
March will see the West Point Band celebrating the power of marches, which have become classic within the genre of American military music. The concerts will include some of Sousa's best-known works and also feature memorial pieces related to important historical events like the March on Washington.
“American Tapestry” is another highlight of the concert series, where the West Point Band will explore musical compositions by diverse American composers. This program will honor the rich culture and unity defining American music, showcasing works by Leonard Bernstein and Percy Grainger among others.
All performances are free and open to everyone, emphasizing the West Point Band's commitment to community and inspiring local audiences. For those wishing to attend, the schedule ranges from performances at local libraries to larger venues such as the historic Eisenhower Hall Theatre.
The intersection of sports and music continues to play pivotal roles within the community. Marist's basketball team exemplifies not just athletic excellence, but their ability to inspire local fans and promote school spirit. On the other side, the West Point Band does the same through rich musical storytelling, bringing communities together through the universal language of music.
Both events highlight important aspects of culture—competition and artistry—that resonate deeply within the fabric of life along the Hudson Valley, reminding residents of the vibrancy and dynamism of their local community.
