Thursday, February 26, 2004
NIU’s answer: Smallwood
Forward scores 20 points, grabs 12 rebounds in victory
Article by:
Steve Brown - Sports Reporter
• sbrown@northernstar.info
For Miami-Ohio coach Charlie Coles, there was one deciding factor in
NIU’s win against the RedHawks: Huskies forward Marcus Smallwood.
“He’s relentless,” Coles said. “He just plays.
You want guys to play that way, especially around the rim.”
Smallwood posted his seventh double-double of the season and 26th of
his career, leading the Huskies with 20 points and 12 rebounds.
“Marcus was just too much for us,” Coles said. “We tried
to guard him, but we were just bluffing. Our guys were just like ‘Oh,
there goes Marcus, there goes Marcus.’”
The 6-foot-6 senior passed the 800 mark in rebounds, making him one
of only five players in NIU history to score 1,200 points and grab 800
rebounds. Smallwood is also first among active players in the MAC in
rebounds (809) and second in points (1,220).
Smallwood was the only returning first-team All-MAC player from last
season. He also leads the MAC in rebounding, averaging 9.4 per game.
Smallwood’s 20 points are the most since he came back from sitting
three games because of a coaching decision. He scored seven points with
eight rebounds in his first game back against Bowling Green on Feb.
18.
“I try to give the same effort consistently,” Smallwood said,
“and the shots just happened to fall tonight.”
Coles had words of encouragement for Smallwood after the game.
“I said ‘Hey, don’t let this be your last good effort
— as long as it isn’t against us,’” the Miami coach
said. “I remember seeing that he was going to Northern Illinois,
and I said ‘Oh, we’re going to have to deal with him.’”
NIU’s win was a much-needed one, not only for the team but for
himself, Smallwood said.
“In the last two games, there have been a lot of adversities,”
Smallwood said. “It’s nice to get back on the winning track.”
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