LISLE, IL - The Benedictine University men's basketball team came out shooting in the second half to storm past co-leader Wisconsin Lutheran and clinch a share of the program's first conference title since 2016-17.
FINAL SCORE
Benedictine 83, Wisconsin Lutheran 55
THE DETAILS
• The teams came into play tied atop the conference standings
• Wisconsin Lutheran led just once at 3-2 in the first minute of the game
• Kyle Graebner knocked down a three and Eric Grygo followed with a layup as Benedictine opened a 7-3 lead
• A three-pointer from Kenny Bogus and two buckets Grygo enabled Benedictine to lead 14-5 at the 14:48 mark of the first half
• Wisconsin Lutheran pulled within four points on multiple occasions, but a three from Cade Ellingson with 4:50 left in the half put Benedictine up by double digits at 33-23
• Keegan Graebner hit a three and two free throws from Bogus allowed Benedictine to take a 14-point lead into the half at 40-26
• The visitors pulled within eight early in the second half but Benedictine continued to build the advantage
• Grygo opened a 13-0 run with a jumper as Benedictine found themselves in front 66-40 following a triple from Bogus halfway through the second
• Benedictine led by as many as 29 points in streaking to the win and a share of the conference title
• The victory also secured a first round bye in the NACC Tournament meaning a home semifinal game on February 27
• Benedictine is a perfect 11-0 at home this year
• The title for the men means the first time since 1997 that both the men and women have won a conference title in the same year
STAT LEADERS
• Benedictine shot 51.6 percent for the game including 53.1 percent in the second half
• Benedictine held a 40-27 edge on the glass, scored 44 points in the paint and 27 points off turnovers while amassing 21 assists
• Bogus led all scorers with 20 points, adding six assists, five rebounds and three blocks
• Bogus was also a big reason why Benedictine held the conference's leading scorer 10 points below his average
• Grygo finished with 19 points, six rebounds, two assists and a block
UP NEXT
Benedictine (20-4, 16-3 NACC) can win the conference outright with a victory at Concordia Wisconsin on Saturday
Benedictine Men Pound Wisconsin Lutheran to Win NACC Title
Wisconsin Lutheran
55
Benedictine
83
Final | 1 | 2 | T |
---|---|---|---|
Wisconsin Lutheran (18-6,15-4 NACC) | 26 | 29 | 55 |
Benedictine (20-4,16-3 NACC) | 40 | 43 | 83 |
Feb 18, 2020