Elmhurst Hoops Team Falls to Hamline 71-67

More news about: Elmhurst
Nov 20, 2010

ELMHURST, Ill. – The Elmhurst College men's basketball team slipped to 0-2 after dropping a 71-67 contest to Hamline University.

The Bluejays rallied from an 18-point deficit and led with under a minute to play, but eight points in the final 48 seconds allowed Hamline (1-1) to escape with the victory.

The Pipers dominated the action for the majority of the opening half. Leading 10-8 seven minutes into the game, Hamline used a 20-4 run to open up a commanding 30-12 lead with just over five minutes left in the half. The Bluejays managed to shave five points off the lead before halftime and trailed 23-16 at the break.
 
Elmhurst surged back in the second half as the Bluejays grabbed their first lead of the game on a Sean Fendley three-pointer with 5:39 to play. The two teams traded leads over the next four minutes until Mike McCurdy hit a driving lay-up and was fouled in the process. McCurdy hit the free throw to give the Bluejays a 64-61 advantage with 1:22 left on the clock. Hamline chipped the lead down to one point after a jumper by Mike Campbell but McCurdy sank a pair of free throws reestablish a three-point (66-63) Elmhurst lead with 48 seconds left. Carl Hipp cut the Bluejays' lead down to just a point on the ensuing Hamline possession with a jumper in the paint with 33 seconds remaining.

Elmhurst inbounded the ball and Hamline immediately pressed trying to force a turnover. Zack Boyd was whistled for an offensive foul, but due to a new rule on high elbows, the foul was classified as an intentional foul, resulting in two free throws and the ball for Hamline. Noah Aguire hit both free throws to put Hamline on top 67-66. Hamline pushed its lead up to 69-66 after a pair of free throws.

The Bluejays' Aaron Schroeder was fouled attempting a game-tying three-pointer with just 1.7 seconds left on the clock. Schroeder hit the first free throw but his second attempt bounced off the back of the rim. Elmhurst tried to set up a tip-in play, but the Bluejays were whistled for a lane violation giving Hamline the ball back. Christian Taber iced the game for the Pipers with a pair of free throws, giving Hamline the 71-67.

Elmhurst finished the game shooting 46.8 percent from the field (22-of-47), including 61.5 percent in the second half (16-of-26). The Bluejays shot 37.5 percent (6-of-16) from beyond the arc and 77.3 percent (17-of-22) from the foul line.

Hamline shot 51.0 percent (26-of-51) from the floor, including 22.2 percent (4-of-18) from three-point range. The Pipers converted 75.0 percent (15-of-20) of its free throw attempts.

Boyd finished the game with a team-leading 14 points and seven rebounds for the Bluejays. Fendley totaled 13 points, including nine in the second half. McCurdy totaled 12 points and five assists while Erik Ellingson added eight points for the Bluejays.

Hipp led the Pipers with a game-high 15 points and eight rebounds. Campbell added 12 points while Jordan Schmidt scored nine.

Elmhurst travels to St. Norbert College on Tuesday, November 23.