Nov 30, 2011
Box Score
MADISON, Wis. - The Edgewood College men's basketball team led start to finish in their Northern Athletics Conference opener on Wednesday night, but Marian University refused to go away quietly. The Sabres hit seven three-pointers in the second half to stay in the game, but ultimately couldn't overcome another stellar shooting night from the Eagles in an 81-72 Edgewood College victory. The Eagles improved to 6-0 overall with the win.
Edgewood College took advantage of some errant shooting from the Sabres to go on a 12-0 run to open up a 27-14 lead in the first half. Marian University (2-3, 0-1 NAC) went 0-for-8 from the field and committed four turnovers in that span. The star of that stretch was sophomore forward Justin Williams who scored four consecutive baskets, which alone topped his previous career-high of seven points. Williams would go on to make his first seven shots from the field and finish with 16 points.
The Eagles pushed their first half lead to as many as 17 points on three straight baskets by senior Kent Faurote. However, Marian stayed within striking distance on a three-point basket by Sam Koslowski and a short jumper from Alex Gomez and settled for a 39-27 halftime deficit.
Try as they might, the Eagles could not put away Marian until late in the second half. A three-point basket by Ben Wisniewski appeared to give the Eagles plenty of breathing room at 50-35, but the Sabres three-point shooting sparked an 18-8 run which trimmed the Edgewood College (6-0, 1-0 NAC) lead to five at 58-53. Koslowski, Jeff Harris and Cody Veleke each had a triple during the Sabres comeback.
As he often does though, Wisniewski had an answer. The senior guard converted a four-point play to spark a 15-6 run and push the Eagles' lead back to 74-59 with less than four minutes to go. The Sabres' Jeff Harris, who scored all 17 of his points in the final 14 minutes of the game, made four three-pointers in the last four minutes to prevent the Eagles from clearing their bench, but ultimately the Sabres ran out of time.
Faurote led all scorers and rebounders with 24 points and nine boards, marking his highest point total of the season. Wisniewski sunk three three-pointers and finished with 18 points. Both Wisniewski and Faurote have scored in double figures in every game this season. Williams, with his career-high 16 points also grabbed seven rebounds. Derek Nkemnji delivered a solid performance with eight points and a team-high six assists. The Eagles shot exactly 14-for-26 in each half and finished at 53.8 percent for the game, marking their fifth straight game shooting 50 percent or better.
Marian University had three players, Harris, Veleke and Koslowski, with 17 points apiece. Mike Keller also put up double figures with 12 points. The Sabres shot 53.1 percent in the second half, but were partially outdone by a 19-6 disadvantage in points from the free throw line.
Edgewood College will attempt to extend their second longest winning streak to open a season in school history on Saturday. The Eagles will go on the road to meet Concordia University Chicago in their first NAC game away from home. Tipoff is slated for 4:15 p.m.
MADISON, Wis. - The Edgewood College men's basketball team led start to finish in their Northern Athletics Conference opener on Wednesday night, but Marian University refused to go away quietly. The Sabres hit seven three-pointers in the second half to stay in the game, but ultimately couldn't overcome another stellar shooting night from the Eagles in an 81-72 Edgewood College victory. The Eagles improved to 6-0 overall with the win.
Edgewood College took advantage of some errant shooting from the Sabres to go on a 12-0 run to open up a 27-14 lead in the first half. Marian University (2-3, 0-1 NAC) went 0-for-8 from the field and committed four turnovers in that span. The star of that stretch was sophomore forward Justin Williams who scored four consecutive baskets, which alone topped his previous career-high of seven points. Williams would go on to make his first seven shots from the field and finish with 16 points.
The Eagles pushed their first half lead to as many as 17 points on three straight baskets by senior Kent Faurote. However, Marian stayed within striking distance on a three-point basket by Sam Koslowski and a short jumper from Alex Gomez and settled for a 39-27 halftime deficit.
Try as they might, the Eagles could not put away Marian until late in the second half. A three-point basket by Ben Wisniewski appeared to give the Eagles plenty of breathing room at 50-35, but the Sabres three-point shooting sparked an 18-8 run which trimmed the Edgewood College (6-0, 1-0 NAC) lead to five at 58-53. Koslowski, Jeff Harris and Cody Veleke each had a triple during the Sabres comeback.
As he often does though, Wisniewski had an answer. The senior guard converted a four-point play to spark a 15-6 run and push the Eagles' lead back to 74-59 with less than four minutes to go. The Sabres' Jeff Harris, who scored all 17 of his points in the final 14 minutes of the game, made four three-pointers in the last four minutes to prevent the Eagles from clearing their bench, but ultimately the Sabres ran out of time.
Faurote led all scorers and rebounders with 24 points and nine boards, marking his highest point total of the season. Wisniewski sunk three three-pointers and finished with 18 points. Both Wisniewski and Faurote have scored in double figures in every game this season. Williams, with his career-high 16 points also grabbed seven rebounds. Derek Nkemnji delivered a solid performance with eight points and a team-high six assists. The Eagles shot exactly 14-for-26 in each half and finished at 53.8 percent for the game, marking their fifth straight game shooting 50 percent or better.
Marian University had three players, Harris, Veleke and Koslowski, with 17 points apiece. Mike Keller also put up double figures with 12 points. The Sabres shot 53.1 percent in the second half, but were partially outdone by a 19-6 disadvantage in points from the free throw line.
Edgewood College will attempt to extend their second longest winning streak to open a season in school history on Saturday. The Eagles will go on the road to meet Concordia University Chicago in their first NAC game away from home. Tipoff is slated for 4:15 p.m.