By Nick Veronica

Canisius plays an offensive, up-tempo style of basketball under coach Jim Baron. But guard Kassius Robertson lamented after Saturday’s 70-53 loss that the team isn’t committing to defense as hard as it is to scoring.

“We’ve always prided ourselves on defense,” Robertson said. “We’ve been a great offensive team this year but I think it’s kind of almost taking away from our defense. We’re not taking pride on defense. We’re not being tough. We gotta get that sense of toughness and grit instead of [being] offensive-minded.

“We just have to be focused the whole time [on defense] and don’t conserve ourselves,” he added. “Sometimes it feels like we’re conserving ourselves for offense. And we just gotta give all out on the defensive end.”

Robertson

Canisius’ offense entered Saturday’s game scoring 84.9 points per game, good for 16th nationally. But the Griffs also ranked 338th in scoring defense and 335th in shooting percentage defense.

Not exactly a winning formula.

“From now on we have to really focus on defense. That’s our only real problem,” Robertson said. “We’re a great offensive team. But when it comes to getting stops, that’s our weakness right now.”

Canisius now resides near the bottom MAAC standings after falling to 2-4. The team’s next game is Tuesday at Dartmouth before resuming MAAC play Friday at Manhattan.

Canisius coach Jim Baron

“It’s a process,” Jim Baron assured, “and we just didn’t do it today. I gotta take responsibility for that.”

Saint Peter’s coach John Dunne and guard Trevis Wyche

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