MADISON, Wis. – The Edgewood College men's basketball team stepped up their defense on Thursday night to end their three game losing streak. The Eagles used a 16-0 run to end the first half and a strong shooting performance in the second to defeat Maranatha Baptist 66-45 at the Edgedome.
Back-to-back buckets by Joe Klocek gave Edgewood College (2-5, 1-2 NAC) their first lead of the game at the 15:54 minute mark. Maranatha (2-5, 0-2) returned the favor on a layup by Joel Borchardt to make the score 10-9, Crusaders. Five minutes later, with the score tied 14-14, the Eagles turned on the pressure. Edgewood College held the Crusaders scoreless for the last 9:33 of the half and used baskets by six different players to fuel a 16-0 run heading into the break.
The Eagles did not let up at all and began the second half on a 10-6 run with baskets by Michael Janusek, Trevor Neale, and Dylan Rusch. Edgewood College shot 60.9 percent (14-for-23) in the half including 4-for-9 from three-point range to extend their lead. Another pair of baskets by Klocek gave the Eagles their largest lead of the game at 25. Travis Schaaf,Dylan Heemstra, and Luther Tarver-Burks all hit free throws in the final three minutes as Edgewood College ran away with a 66-45 victory.
The Eagles dominated down low and outscored Maranatha Baptist 34-18 in the paint as they held one of the NAC's top scorers in Borchardt to 12 points. Edgewood College grabbed a season-high 36 rebounds in the win and limited mistakes with only nine turnovers. The Eagles flexed their defensive muscles as they held Maranatha to 32.7 percent shooting from the floor and 5-for-18 (27.8 percent) from beyond the arc.
Klocek finished with his first double-double of his career as he pulled down 13 boards and poured in 16 points, both career highs. Rusch tied his career high with 10 points after shooting 2-for-4 from downtown.
The Eagles will be in action again this Saturday at MSOE as they take on the Radiers in the Kern Center. Edgewood College will look for their second win in a row against the Raiders who are second in the Northern Athletics Conference's North Division. Live video will be provided with the link available on EdgewoodCollegeEagles.com.