Box Score
MADISON, Wis. – Head Coach Todd Adrian has been looking for the Edgewood College men's basketball team to play a complete 40 minutes this season, and the Eagles took a step in the right direction on Saturday night against Wisconsin Lutheran College. Edgewood College controlled the first half and fought off a late run by the Warriors to hold on for a 71-63 victory.
Ben Wisniewski continued to have the hot hand for the Eagles (7-6, 4-1 NAC) as he drilled a three-point basket two minutes into the game to give the Eagles a 5-0 advantage. He made 3-of-5 three-point attempts in the first half and finished the frame with 15 points.
The Warriors (4-7, 3-1 NAC) came back to tie the score at 17 before the Eagles went on a run to end the half. Over the final 7:34 Edgewood College held Wisconsin Lutheran to only nine points, while the Eagles scored 20 points of their own led by Wisniewski who scored nine points on the run.
Shawn Glasel of Wisconsin Lutheran made a three-point basket with 1:46 to go in the first half to cut the Eagles lead to four. However, Michael Gehring hit a jump shot, Wisniewski drained another three-point basket and Andrew Cobb made two free throws to give the Eagles the final seven points of the half and a 37-26 lead at the break.
Wisconsin Lutheran did not give up as they scored the first six points of the second half to cut the deficit to five points at 37-32. Wisniewski drained a jump shot to get the Eagles on the board in the second half. Zach Moore gave the Eagles their largest lead of the game, 11 points at 45-34 when he made a layup with 14:30 remaining.
With 10:41 left to play, Alex Merbach started the Warrior comeback with a layup. Wisconsin Lutheran went on an 11-0 run and took a 55-52 lead with just 7:37 remaining. Moore made another layup to pull the Eagles within one and end their 4:38 drought without a field goal. Faurote then hit a jump shot to give the Eagles a slim one point advantage.
However, the Warriors fought back again and tied the score at 60 before Faurote made a jump shot to give Edgewood College the lead for good. With the Eagles clinging to a four point advantage, Tony Cates took a charge with 1:16 to go that gave the Eagles momentum. On the ensuing possession Faurote drained a three-point basket that gave Edgewood College a commanding 67-60 lead with 56 seconds left. Wisniewski extended the Eagle lead to nine with a fast break layup as Edgewood College held on for the 71-63 victory.
Wisniewski led all scorers with 23 points, his fourth 20-point performance of the season. Faurote was the only other Eagle to reach double figures with 12 points. Jeff Barczak was one point away from posting his second consecutive double-double as he grabbed a career-high 12 rebounds and scored nine points. Derek Nkemnji tied a career-high with six assists.
Edgewood College will next be in action on Wednesday night when they travel to Rockford College. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
