Box Score
CHICAGO, Ill. – The Edgewood College men's basketball team discovered that it's hard to pull off a surprise party two nights in a row. A night after shocking #22-ranked University of Chicago on their own floor, the Eagles fell to Kenyon College 87-79 in the championship game of the Midway Classic.
Kenyon College broke sharply from the gate on Sunday night, hitting three early three-point baskets for a 23-11 lead just eight and a half minutes into the game. However as quickly as the Lords built the lead, the Eagles took it away. A Ben Wisniewski three-pointer cut the lead down to one and a layup by Derek Nkemnji put the Eagles in front 31-30. Wisniewski followed that with another triple, and Zach Moore added a free throw to finish a 24-7 run and give the Eagles a five-point lead. Edgewood College (1-1) held that lead into the locker room, although only by a 37-36 margin.
In the second half, Kenyon College (2-0) regained their composure and the lead. A three-point basket by freshman Brock Bidlingmaier put the Eagles in front 44-43 with 17:30 to play, but it would be the Eagles last lead of the game. Kenyon's Bryan Yelvington scored eight points on an ensuing 13-4 run with gave the Lords a 56-48 lead. Although the Eagles would cut the lead to two a few minutes later, the Lords used deadly free throw shooting to maintain control of the game. Kenyon hit 24 of 25 free throws in the second half and finished the night at 87.2 percent from the line.
Wisniewski poured in a team-high 26 points for the game, going 5-for-6 from the three-point line. Sophomore Jeff Barczak was the only other Eagle in double figures with 10 points. Jon Ciche added eight points a team-high 10 rebounds. John Schuster, who scored 24 points the previous night was held to just one field goal and five points. Nkemnji finished the game with five assists and three steals.
Yelvington did it all for Kenyon College getting to the free throw line 20 times, making 17 and scoring 32 points. He was voted the tournament's most valuable player for his effort.
Joining Yelvington on the all-tournament team were Schuster, Wisniewski, JT Knight (Kenyon), Kyle Corbin (Illinois Tech) and Matt Corning (Chicago).
The Eagles will return to Madison to prepare for their home opener, a Wednesday night date with the University of Dubuque. Tipoff is at 7:00 p.m. and the game will be broadcast live on EdgewoodCollegeEagles.com.
