Box Score

WATERTOWN, Wis. - The Edgewood College men's basketball team shot better than 65 percent in the second half to turn away Maranatha Baptist 94-62 on the Crusaders' home floor. The Eagles hit on 19 of 29 shots in the second half including five three-pointers to turn a 15-point halftime lead into 32 point victory.

The Eagles held an 11-7 lead in the early going until a pair of free throws and a three-pointer by Kent Faurote sparked a run. After a Derek Nkemnji basket senior Jon Ciche scored on a dunk and followed it with a pair of free throws. Two more Ciche free throws at the 10-minute mark would compete a 14-1 Eagle run and give the visitors a 22-8 lead. The two teams would play even until the break with Edgewood College holding a 45-30 lead. Ciche would finish the half with 14 of his game-high 18 points.

The Eagles attempt to put the game away early in the second half, scoring the first six points out of the gate. Maranatha Baptist would respond with a 7-0 run of their own to cut the lead to 51-37, but that would be as close as the Crusaders would get.

Ciche turned in his second double-double of the season scoring 18 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Four other Eagles also reached double figures with Faurote hitting for 15 in just 13 minutes of action. Ben Wisniewski and Aaron Ritschard each totaled 13 points and combined to go 5-for-7 from the three-point line. Nkemnji scored 11 points and had six rebounds. Oddly, Edgewood College (7-8, 5-2 NAC) shot better from the field (56.9 percent) and the three-point line (56.3 percent) than they did from the free throw line (55.9 percent).

Three Crusaders scored in double figures for Maranatha (3-8, 0-7 NAC) including two from off the bench. Starter Joel Salscheider had 15 points, while reserves Marcus Kirby and Brock Rose scored 14 and 12 points, respectively.

Edgewood College will play their second of three straight road games on Thursday when they travel to Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon. Tipoff at Buuck Fieldhouse is set for 7:00 p.m.