Box Score
CHICAGO, Ill. – The writing on the wall for the Edgewood College men's basketball team in their season opener appeared to spell disaster. With their starting point guard out with an injury, two freshmen and a sophomore making their first collegiate starts and the #22-ranked team in the nation playing against them on their home court the Eagles seemed to be two steps behind before the night started.
However, once the ball was tipped, it was the University of Chicago who was left behind, as the Eagles roared out to a 17-point lead in the first half on their way to a 101-93 victory in the first game of the Midway Classic in Chicago. Sophomore John Schuster doubled his career-high with 24 points and four other Eagles cracked double figures in the season opening stunner.
Employing an up-tempo, pressing attack, Edgewood College (1-0) surprised the Maroons with a 19-6 run in the middle part of the first half, which gave the Eagles a 35-18 lead. Freshman Ben Wisniewski, starting in his first collegiate game scored eight points during that run, including a pair of three-point baskets. Wisniewski would finish 6-for-7 from the field and 3-for-3 from the three-point line for 15 points in his debut.
The Eagles led 54-42 at the half, on the strength of shooting 67.7 percent (21-for-31) from the field, including 6-for-9 from behind the new 20-foot, 9-inch three-point arc.
Three minutes into the second half, the University of Chicago (0-1), an NCAA Tournament qualifier a year ago, had cut the lead to 57-50, with all eight point coming from returning leading scorer Matt Corning. Corning would finish the game with 24 points, sharing game-high honors with Schuster.
Edgewood College would respond to the Maroon's challenge. A three-point play for Chicago's Adam Machones made the score 78-72 with 5:13 to play. From that point, the Eagles scored eight of the next 10 points to forge a 12-point lead with 2:55 to go. The Eagles then made nine of 11 free throws down the stretch to seal the game, including six of seven from Schuster.
After Schuster's 24 points, sophomore Jeff Barczak, making his first career start had 19, including a pair of three-point baskets. Kent Faurote, after missing last season with an injury, finally made his Eagle debut by scoring 17 points off the bench, and freshman Derek Nkemnji added 12 points and a team-high five assists, filling minutes left by the absence of last year's starting point guard Aaron Ritschard who was not available due to an injury. Senior center Jon Ciche scored eight points, but held the Maroons at bay with three blocked shots and five steals. Edgewood College shot 60 percent for the game.
Edgewood College advances to the Midway Classic title game where they will face Kenyon College, who defeated Illinois Institute of Technology 71-59. Tipoff is at 5:00 p.m. at the Ratner Center.
