Even though the Quakers have been eliminated from the NCAA Tournament, Penn guard Matt Maloney has found ways to continue his basketball season. Last night at Cavanaugh's Restaurant, Maloney won the NBA Jam Final Four by pouring in a world-record 278 points in the final game. The Ivy League player of the year showed off his joystick skills at the West Philadelphia bar, which was standing room only all weekend for the tournament, by winning all 164 of his games. The climax of the event was Maloney's 278-104 thumping of Fran Connors, the University's assistant athletic director, in the finals. "Congratulations big guy," the tearful Connors said to Maloney as they shook hands after the final seconds ticked off the clock. Just as he was when he was en fuego on the Palestra floor, Maloney knocked down 68 treys in the championship game, just one shy of his own record set last year in the semifinals in a losing effort. The ultra-quick guard also recorded 72 steals against Connors. That was good for an all-time finals record. "It was tremendous -- just tremendous," the overjoyed Maloney said after his victory. "My fingers were just working really well today. To be perfectly honest, I don't think there was anything Fran could do to stop me today. I've been practicing really hard all season and everything seemed to come together for me today. I was in a zone." According to one Cavs' employee, who asked to remain anonymous, Maloney has been in the bar every day since school started in September. An endorsement deal with Cavs' enables Maloney to play the video game for free -- all day, all night. "I just think that we're going to have to change his name from 'Money' to 'Quarters' after this display," said teammate Jerome Allen, once again on speaking terms with The Daily Pennsylvanian. "Quarters practices so hard, he deserves to get the win." "I think this is a terrific accomplishment for Matt," Penn coach Fran Dunphy said. "He's a great person, both on and off the NBA Jam machine. I'll miss being around him next season." Amidst the victory celebration of chicken wings and a Shirley Temple on the rocks, Maloney was handed his first-place prize by close friend and Penn State star John Amaechi -- free roundtrip tickets for two to visit Goofy at Disney World. "Serendipity," Maloney said.
The Daily Pennsylvanian is an independent, student-run newspaper. Please consider making a donation to support the coverage that shapes the University. Your generosity ensures a future of strong journalism at Penn.
Donate
