Nov 18, 2011
Box Score
SUPERIOR, Wis. – Edgewood College senior Ben Wisniewski may have let one opportunity at the free throw line slip away, but he wasn't about to let it happen twice. Wisniewski made three free throws with 1.9 seconds remaining in overtime to lift the Eagles to a dramatic 78-77 victory over NCAA Division II member Lake Superior State in the first round of the Merrill Thompson Memorial Classic. Wisniewski had missed a free throw with 4.3 seconds left in regulation that would have given the Eagles the lead.
Edgewood College (2-0) took a two-point halftime deficit and surged to a nine-point second half lead on the strength of their shooting. The Eagles made 12 of their first 18 shots in the second half, including three three-pointers by Wisniewski and an emphatic dunk from Justin Williams to give the Eagles a 61-52 lead with less than eight minutes to play.
However Lake Superior State (3-1) rallied back with an 8-0 run and ultimately regained the lead 67-66 on a layup by Kyle Hunt with 25 seconds left to play. With the clock winding down, the Eagles put the ball in Wisniewski's hands. The senior guard drove the lane hard and drew a shooting foul on the Lakers' Alex Williams. Wisniewski sunk the first free throw to tie the game, but missed the second following a Laker timeout. A half court shot at the buzzer by Hunt hit the rim, but the game went on to overtime.
The Eagles fell behind by five in the first 75 seconds of overtime on a jump shot by Kahlid Wells and a three-point basket by Derek Billing. Edgewood College never panicked however, pulling within one at 76-75 on baskets by Kent Faurote and Jake Guziewski. The Eagles fouled with six seconds remaining, but Billing made just one of two shots for a 77-75 Laker lead.
Edgewood College inbounded to Cashton Craig who rushed the ball up the right side of the floor. Craig slashed to the middle and hit Wisniewski on the left wing behind the three-point line. Wisniewski's shot fake drew LSSU's Hunt into the air and into Wisniewski for a three-shot foul. Wisniewski calmly tied the game with his first two free throws before Lake Superior State called timeout. Given a second chance to win the game at the free throw line, Wisniewski converted. A desperation attempt by the Lakers' Wells missed the mark. The Eagles didn't miss a shot in overtime, making all three field goal attempts and all five free throws.
Wisniewski led the Eagles in the scoring column with 17 points, followed closely by Faurote with 15 points and a team-high nine rebounds. Craig added 11 points and along with Faurote shared the team-high with four assists. Edgewood College shot 53.8 percent from the field and the Eagles' bench outscored the Lakers' bench 21-6. Lake Superior State was paced by Hunt who led all scorers with 19 points.
With the victory Edgewood College improves to 2-0 on the season and advances to play tournament host UW-Superior in the championship game. The Yellowjackets defeated Finlandia University 88-73 in the other opening round game. Saturday's game will tip off at 3:00 p.m. and will have a live videocast. Check EdgewoodCollegeEagles.com for the link.
SUPERIOR, Wis. – Edgewood College senior Ben Wisniewski may have let one opportunity at the free throw line slip away, but he wasn't about to let it happen twice. Wisniewski made three free throws with 1.9 seconds remaining in overtime to lift the Eagles to a dramatic 78-77 victory over NCAA Division II member Lake Superior State in the first round of the Merrill Thompson Memorial Classic. Wisniewski had missed a free throw with 4.3 seconds left in regulation that would have given the Eagles the lead.
Edgewood College (2-0) took a two-point halftime deficit and surged to a nine-point second half lead on the strength of their shooting. The Eagles made 12 of their first 18 shots in the second half, including three three-pointers by Wisniewski and an emphatic dunk from Justin Williams to give the Eagles a 61-52 lead with less than eight minutes to play.
However Lake Superior State (3-1) rallied back with an 8-0 run and ultimately regained the lead 67-66 on a layup by Kyle Hunt with 25 seconds left to play. With the clock winding down, the Eagles put the ball in Wisniewski's hands. The senior guard drove the lane hard and drew a shooting foul on the Lakers' Alex Williams. Wisniewski sunk the first free throw to tie the game, but missed the second following a Laker timeout. A half court shot at the buzzer by Hunt hit the rim, but the game went on to overtime.
The Eagles fell behind by five in the first 75 seconds of overtime on a jump shot by Kahlid Wells and a three-point basket by Derek Billing. Edgewood College never panicked however, pulling within one at 76-75 on baskets by Kent Faurote and Jake Guziewski. The Eagles fouled with six seconds remaining, but Billing made just one of two shots for a 77-75 Laker lead.
Edgewood College inbounded to Cashton Craig who rushed the ball up the right side of the floor. Craig slashed to the middle and hit Wisniewski on the left wing behind the three-point line. Wisniewski's shot fake drew LSSU's Hunt into the air and into Wisniewski for a three-shot foul. Wisniewski calmly tied the game with his first two free throws before Lake Superior State called timeout. Given a second chance to win the game at the free throw line, Wisniewski converted. A desperation attempt by the Lakers' Wells missed the mark. The Eagles didn't miss a shot in overtime, making all three field goal attempts and all five free throws.
Wisniewski led the Eagles in the scoring column with 17 points, followed closely by Faurote with 15 points and a team-high nine rebounds. Craig added 11 points and along with Faurote shared the team-high with four assists. Edgewood College shot 53.8 percent from the field and the Eagles' bench outscored the Lakers' bench 21-6. Lake Superior State was paced by Hunt who led all scorers with 19 points.
With the victory Edgewood College improves to 2-0 on the season and advances to play tournament host UW-Superior in the championship game. The Yellowjackets defeated Finlandia University 88-73 in the other opening round game. Saturday's game will tip off at 3:00 p.m. and will have a live videocast. Check EdgewoodCollegeEagles.com for the link.