MADISON, Wis. (Jan. 31, 2008) – If the final statistics show anything, they may show how Edgewood College spent their two extra days of preparation for Lakeland College: shooting the basketball. The Eagles heated up the Todd Wehr Edgedome by shooting 52.8 percent, including 61.5 percent in the first half, to defeat the Muskies 73-58 in a game delayed two days due to wintery weather.
Edgewood College came out firing on all cylinders, making nine of their first 12 shots in opening an early 24-8 lead. The Eagles expanded their first half margin to 21 points at 40-19 with 4:18 remaining. However, the Muskies scored the final eight points of the opening frame and went into the locker room down 40-27. Edgewood College’s Charlie Averkamp put on a show in the first half, threatening to record a triple-double with nine points, 10 rebounds and six assists.
The Muskies would open the second half with four quick points to cut the margin to 40-31, but that would be as close as they would get in the second half. The Eagles would use a 14-4 run to open up a 58-37 lead with 12:28 to go in the game.
Edgewood College (10-8, 7-4 NAC) was led in scoring by Chris DeMarco, who closed to within 17 points of 1,000 for his career, with 22 points on eight-for-12 shooting. Averkamp, returning to the line-up after missing two games with the flu, turned in his league-leading ninth double-double of the season with 13 points, 12 rebounds and six assists. Jon Ciche and John Fahey scored 11 and 10 points, respectively. John Schuster, making his first career start, recorded seven points and a career-high seven rebounds. The Eagles had 21 assists on 28 made field goals.
Lakeland College (11-8, 7-5 NAC) was led by Kris Saiberlich who scored 21 points on six-for-15 shooting. Peter Worth pulled down a game-high 14 rebounds. Lakeland College made three three-pointers in the final three minutes to finish seven-for-32 (21.9 percent) from the arc.
Edgewood College next heads out for three straight games away from home. The Eagles meet Concordia Chicago in River Forest, Ill. on Saturday, February 2. The Eagles defeated the Cougars earlier this month on an Aaron Ritschard buzzer-beater. Game time is 4:15 p.m.
