Nov 15, 2010
Box Score
MADISON, Wis. - The Todd Wehr Edgedome had new basketball rims installed this fall and apparently, the Eagles' men's basketball team finds them to their liking. Edgewood College shot 54.5 percent for the game and cruised to a 74-55 victory over Loras College in the season opener for both teams. Jeff Barczak jump started his senior year with 17 points, including 15 in the first half.
Except for a brief 4-2 Eagle lead, Loras College (0-1) led through the first nine minutes of the game, taking a five-point lead at 15-10 on a pair of free throw by Ryan Coon. However, Barczak converted a three-point play to spark a 10-0 run to give the Eagles the lead. Barczak added another layup in the streak and Jake Guziewski chipped his only three points of the night to give the Eagles a lift.
Later, Connor Mooney would hit a three-pointer to give the Duhawks a 26-24 lead, but it would be the last Loras lead of the night. Edgewood College (1-0) would score the next 13 points including a three-pointer off the fastbreak by junior Ben Wisniewski to claim a 37-26 lead with less than a minute remaining in the first half. A three-pointer by Tim Kelly just before the buzzer cut the Eagle lead back to eight at 37-29.
The second half belonged to the Eagles. Derek Nkemnji converted a steal by Cashton Craig into a dunk in the first minute and Edgewood College was off and running. The Eagles scored 19 of the first 24 points of the second half to gain their largest lead of the night at 56-34. Nkemnji scored the final points on the run with a steal of his own and another dunk.
Loras College had one more push left in them. The Duhawks went on a 12-4 run to cut the margin in half at 64-53 with six minutes remaining, but a free throw by Nkemnji followed by a three-point basket from Craig and the Eagles were never threatened again.
Edgewood College showed extreme care with the ball, committing just six turnovers in the season opener and avenging an 84-73 loss to the Duhawks in last year's first game. The Eagles had 21 assists on 30 made baskets led by Craig's seven assists in his Eagle debut. Behind Barczak, three other Eagles scored in double figures with Craig tallying 15, Wisniewski adding 13 and Nkemnji chipping in 11 points. The backcourt tandem of Wisniewski and Craig shared team-high rebound honors with six boards apiece.
Dan Pawelski led the Duhawks with 17 points and nine rebounds, while Alex Cline came off the bench to hit three three-pointers and score 11 points. Mooney dished a team-high five assists.
Edgewood College will travel to Naperville, Ill. this weekend to participate in the North Central College/Holiday Inn Select Tipoff Tournament. The Eagles will face NAIA member Valley City State (N.D.) in the opening round and will meet either Bluffton University (Ohio) or the host Cardinals on Saturday.
MADISON, Wis. - The Todd Wehr Edgedome had new basketball rims installed this fall and apparently, the Eagles' men's basketball team finds them to their liking. Edgewood College shot 54.5 percent for the game and cruised to a 74-55 victory over Loras College in the season opener for both teams. Jeff Barczak jump started his senior year with 17 points, including 15 in the first half.
Except for a brief 4-2 Eagle lead, Loras College (0-1) led through the first nine minutes of the game, taking a five-point lead at 15-10 on a pair of free throw by Ryan Coon. However, Barczak converted a three-point play to spark a 10-0 run to give the Eagles the lead. Barczak added another layup in the streak and Jake Guziewski chipped his only three points of the night to give the Eagles a lift.
Later, Connor Mooney would hit a three-pointer to give the Duhawks a 26-24 lead, but it would be the last Loras lead of the night. Edgewood College (1-0) would score the next 13 points including a three-pointer off the fastbreak by junior Ben Wisniewski to claim a 37-26 lead with less than a minute remaining in the first half. A three-pointer by Tim Kelly just before the buzzer cut the Eagle lead back to eight at 37-29.
The second half belonged to the Eagles. Derek Nkemnji converted a steal by Cashton Craig into a dunk in the first minute and Edgewood College was off and running. The Eagles scored 19 of the first 24 points of the second half to gain their largest lead of the night at 56-34. Nkemnji scored the final points on the run with a steal of his own and another dunk.
Loras College had one more push left in them. The Duhawks went on a 12-4 run to cut the margin in half at 64-53 with six minutes remaining, but a free throw by Nkemnji followed by a three-point basket from Craig and the Eagles were never threatened again.
Edgewood College showed extreme care with the ball, committing just six turnovers in the season opener and avenging an 84-73 loss to the Duhawks in last year's first game. The Eagles had 21 assists on 30 made baskets led by Craig's seven assists in his Eagle debut. Behind Barczak, three other Eagles scored in double figures with Craig tallying 15, Wisniewski adding 13 and Nkemnji chipping in 11 points. The backcourt tandem of Wisniewski and Craig shared team-high rebound honors with six boards apiece.
Dan Pawelski led the Duhawks with 17 points and nine rebounds, while Alex Cline came off the bench to hit three three-pointers and score 11 points. Mooney dished a team-high five assists.
Edgewood College will travel to Naperville, Ill. this weekend to participate in the North Central College/Holiday Inn Select Tipoff Tournament. The Eagles will face NAIA member Valley City State (N.D.) in the opening round and will meet either Bluffton University (Ohio) or the host Cardinals on Saturday.