Feb 26, 2011
Box Score
LISLE, Ill. - Edgewood College mustered every bit of guts they had to try and win their second road game in two nights for the Northern Athletics Conference championship, but in the end they couldn't overcome Benedictine University and Nate Green. Edgewood College fell to Benedictine University 70-59 in the NAC Tournament championship to come just one game short of an NCAA Division III Tournament berth.
Edgewood College (18-10) scored the first four points of the game on a pair of layups by Derek Nkemnji and Ben Wisniewski, but Benedictine stormed right back. On the strength of seven offensive rebounds, Benedictine pulled off a 17-4 run to force an Edgewood College timeout with the score 17-8.
Edgewood College's Jeff Barczak answered with six straight points and the Benedictine lead was cut to 24-17. Benedictine University (21-7) eventually went ahead 36-21 on baskets by AJ Brown and Nate Green, but Edgewood College's Justin Williams and Kent Faurote scored the last four points of the half to trim Benedictine's lead to 36-25 at the break.
Benedictine opened up a 14-point lead at 47-33 five minutes into the second half, before Craig tried to carry Edgewood College on his back. Craig scored seven straight points including a deep three-point basket which cut the Benedictine lead to 49-42 with 10 minutes to play. Edgewood College pulled within six points at 57-51 four minutes later. Nkemnji scored a three-point play and Barczak converted four free throws over the next two possessions.
However, every time Edgewood College came close, Benedictine's Green had the answer. Green dished to Cameron Snelling for a layup and moments later scored a three-pointer and a layup to push Benedictine's lead to 66-56 with less than two minutes to play. Wisniewski hit a three-pointer late, but Benedictine claimed their first NCAA Division III Tournament berth since 2004.
Edgewood College was led by Wisniewski who scored 15 points including three three-point baskets and a team-high seven rebounds. Craig added 13 points, all in the second half, while the team's only senior Barczak# scored 12 points in his final game for the Eagles. Edgewood College shot 43.4 percent and committed just 10 turnovers.
Green led Benedictine with 23 points and five assists, while Snelling scored 14 points. Jerrell Tribble chipped in 10 points. Benedictine University shot 52.6 percent from the field, including 59.1 percent in the second half.
Edgewood College concludes their season at 18-10.
LISLE, Ill. - Edgewood College mustered every bit of guts they had to try and win their second road game in two nights for the Northern Athletics Conference championship, but in the end they couldn't overcome Benedictine University and Nate Green. Edgewood College fell to Benedictine University 70-59 in the NAC Tournament championship to come just one game short of an NCAA Division III Tournament berth.
Edgewood College (18-10) scored the first four points of the game on a pair of layups by Derek Nkemnji and Ben Wisniewski, but Benedictine stormed right back. On the strength of seven offensive rebounds, Benedictine pulled off a 17-4 run to force an Edgewood College timeout with the score 17-8.
Edgewood College's Jeff Barczak answered with six straight points and the Benedictine lead was cut to 24-17. Benedictine University (21-7) eventually went ahead 36-21 on baskets by AJ Brown and Nate Green, but Edgewood College's Justin Williams and Kent Faurote scored the last four points of the half to trim Benedictine's lead to 36-25 at the break.
Benedictine opened up a 14-point lead at 47-33 five minutes into the second half, before Craig tried to carry Edgewood College on his back. Craig scored seven straight points including a deep three-point basket which cut the Benedictine lead to 49-42 with 10 minutes to play. Edgewood College pulled within six points at 57-51 four minutes later. Nkemnji scored a three-point play and Barczak converted four free throws over the next two possessions.
However, every time Edgewood College came close, Benedictine's Green had the answer. Green dished to Cameron Snelling for a layup and moments later scored a three-pointer and a layup to push Benedictine's lead to 66-56 with less than two minutes to play. Wisniewski hit a three-pointer late, but Benedictine claimed their first NCAA Division III Tournament berth since 2004.
Edgewood College was led by Wisniewski who scored 15 points including three three-point baskets and a team-high seven rebounds. Craig added 13 points, all in the second half, while the team's only senior Barczak# scored 12 points in his final game for the Eagles. Edgewood College shot 43.4 percent and committed just 10 turnovers.
Green led Benedictine with 23 points and five assists, while Snelling scored 14 points. Jerrell Tribble chipped in 10 points. Benedictine University shot 52.6 percent from the field, including 59.1 percent in the second half.
Edgewood College concludes their season at 18-10.