Schneider scores 1,000th point in season-ending loss

For Marist fans, Ryan Schneider burying a three-pointer from the right wing to eclipse 1,000 career points will be the lasting memory from tonight’s Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Tournament game against Niagara. For Niagara, the team defense employed on Schneider for 40 minutes will be the final thought.

The No. 2 seeded Niagara Purple Eagles smothered Marist with their defense en route to a 79-50 blowout win over the Red Foxes.

Niagara held Marist to 33.3 percent shooting from the field and 18.8 percent on three-point field-goals for the game. Niagara first-teamer Bilal Benn drew the assignment of covering Schneider and blanketed him as soon as the senior captain crossed midcourt.

Schneider entered the game needing only 10 points to eclipse the 1,000 mark, but the senior struggled to get to double digits. He scored just one point in the first half and was 1-of-10 shooting with under 10 minutes to play in the game.

After two field-goals and three free-throws, Schneider found himself with nine points and less than two minutes to play. Fittingly, senior co-captain Kaylen Gregory found an open Schneider, who flushed a three-pointer with 1:55 left to play.

Schneider exited the game to a standing ovation despite Marist’s lopsided loss.

Coach Martin said that he was looking to get Schneider that record after it became apparent the game was out of reach.

“Our first thought was win the game, that’s always our first thought,” Martin said. “Obviously towards the end of it the game was out of reach and now you want to think, okay, let start trying to get the ball to Ryan…we were conscious of it; we were aware of it.”

Although Schneider admitted he would have traded 1,000 points for a win against Niagara, the moment was special for the senior, albeit bittersweet based on how the year unfolded.

“I mean it felt great. I really thank coach for that,” Schneider said. “It was a great gesture…it’s been a tough year, it really has, it’s been tough.”

After averaging a little over seven minutes per game (mpg) last season, Schneider finished third in the conference with 37.5 mpg this season.

For the game, Schneider and Gregory led Marist with 12 points apiece while point guard David Devezin scored 10 points. Niagara guard and UConn transfer had a game-high 21 points while MAAC defensive player of the year Tyrone Lewis notched 13 points.

Marist finished the season 10-23 overall and 4-14 in regular season conference play. The season also capped off the first for head coach Chuck Martin.

“It’s a humbling experience but a good experience, a really good experience,” Martin said regarding his first season. “I’m glad I got a chance to coach the kids that I coached, really good kids who gave me everything they had every night, our seniors, in particular Ryan Schneider and Kaylen Gregory. It’s been a really good experience for me and I think it’s going to pay off in years to come.”

Schneider and Gregory both found opportunities under Martin that did not exist under previous head coach, Matt Brady.

Schneider emerged as a second-team all-conference player while Gregory became a starter after spending four years on the bench.

“I thought the opportunity [to play for Coach Martin] was tremendous,” Gregory said. “The most important part of this year was that I grew as a person, not only on the court but off the court. I learned that I can do a lot more than I thought I could and I have a lot in me and I thank Coach Martin and his staff for that.”