Riverdale, NY (July 18, 2005)- The 2005 MAAC All-Star Team earned two back-to-back victories to start its two-week tour of China. The squad will resume its playing schedule on July 20, when they face the Shanghi Sharks, the former team of NBA's Yao Ming.
The MAAC All-Stars opened their seven-game schedule on July 17 with a 106-78 win over the Chinese College All-Stars in Bao Ding.
Jeff Xavier (Manhattan) scored 10 of his team-high 17 points in the first quarter as the MAAC All-Stars raced out to a 34-23 advantage at the Sports Stadium. James Mathis (Niagara) registered a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds and Kiril Waschmann (Iona) chipped in with nine points and 11 rebounds. Jason Thompson (Rider) also tallied 17 points, including 11 in the second half. Darnell Wilson (Canisius) scored 14 points, and Steve Burtt (Iona) added 11.
On July 18, the team improved to 2-0 with a 94-84 victory over the China Junior National Team. Three thousand people were in attendance at the Henan Oil Field and Cultural Stadium to see the MAAC All-Star Team defeat future members of the 2008 Olympic Men's Basketball Team for China. Up 73-72 at the end of the third quarter, the MAAC All-Stars went on to outscore their opponent, 21-12, in the final stanza to take their second straight win. Burtt led the MAAC All-Stars with 19 points, while Xavier added 15 points. Thompson netted 13 points, and Mathis tallied 12 points and 15 rebounds.
