Staveskie shines in college debut

Tahj Staveskie didn't hesitate. The former Sandusky High School star had just received a pass on the right wing 30 seconds into his collegiate basketball career. He was open. As those who watched Staveskie hoop for the Blue Streaks know well, leaving him open was a bad idea. Swish. The Canisius College guard carried that fast start into a strong Division I collegiate debut Monday night after missing his entire first season on campus with injury. Staveskie totaled 19 points on 7-for-20 shooting (3-10 from 3, 2-2 free throws). He added three rebounds, one block and one steal. The first shot of Tahj Staveskie's college career pic.twitter.com/um9IEZDiwV — Billy Heyen (@BillyHeyen) November 8, 2022 "I think a lot of people are gonna have a new favorite player to watch," ESPN3 color commentator Richard Walsh said. "He's just got that moxie, you can see it." Canisius couldn't pull out its game on the first night of the college basketball season, though, as visiting Youngstown State pulled away for a 92-78 win. The Golden Griffins played a strong first 10 minutes against a Penguins team that started five seniors. Staveskie drove for a layup for his second bucket, then midway through the first half drained a 3-point jumper and a 2-point jumper to put Canisius up 32-25. The hosts scored only three points in the last nine minutes of the first half, though, as YSU went on a 26-3 run. The Penguins scored more paint points in the first half than the Golden Griffins scored total points. YSU was led by Malek Green, who transferred from Canisius to Youngstown State before this season and had 19 first-half points. "We came out of the gates flying," Canisius coach Reggie Witherspoon said, "but playing on emotion and adrenaline can only get you so far. When you play a team like Youngstown State, you need to stay within your system, or they'll expose you defensively." Staveskie opened his second-half contributions with a between-the-legs, stepback jumper with his foot on the line for a long 2. A minute later, Staveskie got to the line and made a pair of free throws. His next bucket was an extremely difficult drive to his left in transition finished with a right-handed reverse layup high off the glass past an extended defensive arm. Staveskie followed that with a 30-foot 3-pointer from straight on. "He's given future opponents a lot of tape on him," Walsh said. "They're gonna pay attention to his offensive game, because he's been outstanding." Canisius will get back on the court Saturday night, again at home. A new-look St. Bonaventure team visits the Golden Griffins. "This Staveskie young man is certainly going to be someone to reckon with," Walsh said.