Pictured above: Bobby Planutis in file action photo.
By Bob Franceski, NEPASportsNation.com
Thursday’s National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I basketball schedule saw three District 2 graduates playing or serving as head coach.
Here is a recap of how each did:
BOBBY PLANUTIS, PURDUE FORT WAYNE MEN
6-foot-8 graduate student forward from Hazleton Area
Thursday’s result
Purdue Fort Wayne (4-4 overall, 0-1 Horizon) lost to visiting Detroit Mercy (4-4 overall, 1-0 Horizon), 75-66, in the Horizon League opener for each.
Individual statistics
Started, played 36 minutes; 6/9 FG, 3/5 on 3-pointers, 3/3 FT, 18 points; 5 defensive rebounds; 1 turnover; 4 steals.
Notes
Planutis, who hit his season scoring high, is 18-for-18 from the line this season. … Purdue Fort Wayne struggled from the field in the first half, shooting 11-for-41 (26.8 percent) including 2-for-11 (18.2 percent) from 3-point range to fall behind, 37-26. … Purdue Fort Wayne was picked to tie for first place with Northern Kentucky in a preseason poll of Horizon League coaches. … Planutis is on track to score the 1,000th point in his NCAA career this season.
Up next
Purdue Fort Wayne hosts Oakland Saturday at 3 p.m. in a Horizon League game. The game will air on ESPNU.
GEORGE TINSLEY, MOUNT ST. MARY’S MEN
6-foot-6 senior forward from Abington Heights
Thursday’s result
Mount St. Mary’s (4-4 overall, 1-0 MAAC) defeated host St. Peter’s (4-3 overall, 0-1 MAAC), 73-58
Individual statistics
Started, played 37 minutes; 1/7 FG, 0/3 on 3-pointers, 4/6 FT, 6 points; 2 offensive, 5 defensive, 7 total rebounds; 2 turnovers.
Notes
Mount St. Mary’s won its first game in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) after a 33-year run in the Northeast Conference. … Trailing by three late in the first half, Tinsley scored four consecutive points to put Mount St. Mary’s ahead. … The Mountaineers outscored Saint Peter’s, 46-29, in the second half to erase a two-point halftime deficit. …The Mount shot 55.6 percent from the field in the second half, including 7-for-10 from 3-point range. … Mount St. Mary’s defense limited St. Peter’s to 39.7 percent shooting overall and 4-for-17 (23.5 percent) from behind the arc. … St. Peter’s advanced to the Elite Eight in last year’s NCAA Tournament.
Up next
Mount St. Mary’s hosts Rider Saturday at 4 p.m.
BECKY BURKE, UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO WOMEN
Head coach from Abington Heights
Thursday’s result
Rhode Island (6-1) defeated visiting University at Buffalo (1-4), 71-56.
Notes
Buffalo fought back but couldn’t overcome multiple scoring droughts against Rhode Island. … Rhode Island opened the game on a 12-0 run and opened the fourth quarter on a 9-0 run. … Buffalo scored 22 points in the paint and turned up the defense over the final three quarters, forcing 17 turnovers, and turning them into 17 points. … Rhode Island had a big advantage on the boards, outrebounding the Bulls, 36-20. …Buffalo struggled from 3-point range, converting just 6 of 20 attempts (30.0 percent).
Up next
Buffalo visits Niagara Wednesday.
