MADISON, Wis. - The Edgewood College men's basketball team completed a stunning run into the NACC Tournament with a 73-62 victory over league co-leader Benedictine University. The Senior Day victory, coupled with Marian University's loss to Aurora University puts the Eagles into the postseason for the first time since 2015.
Benedictine University (16-9, 15-5 NACC) used a 10-0 run midway through the first half to take a 24-16 lead. The Eagles broke their drought on a three-pointer from the corner by senior Arik Anderson, couldn't make up any ground, trailing 30-21 after Benedictine's Jaquan Phipps scored a jumper with 5:37 remaining before halftime.
However, Edgewood College (10-15, 10-10 NACC) would turn the game upside down. Senior Travis Kell scored inside and Anderson followed with another three-pointer to park a 17-0 run. Anderson had seven points in the run including a nifty tip-in off his own miss. Ben Seefeld scored twice and Sy Staver capped the rally with two free throws in the final minute of the half to give Edgewood College a 38-30 lead.
If the first half belonged to the seniors, the second half belonged to Emil Radisevic. After just two points in the first half, the junior post player got the Eagles started with a basket in the second half. Travis Kell scored consecutive baskets to give the Eagles their largest lead of the game at 47-32, but following two Radisevic free throws, the Eagles went cold. Leading by 15 the Eagles failed to score for the next 4:26 and Benedictine cut the Eagles lead to 49-39.
Radisevic ended the drought with a three-point play, and Kell followed it with a basket to push the Eagles lead back to 15 points at 54-39. With less than seven minutes to play Benedictine had again cut the lead to 10, but Radisevic scored a short jumper and then a fast break layup off an assist from Tyler Lemke. Benedictine wouldn't go away, trailing 64-58, until Radisevic hit the biggest shot of the night.
With three minutes to play, the big man stepped out behind the arc and drilled a dagger three-pointer to put Edgewood College ahead 67-56. It was just the third three-pointer of the season for Radisevic. After Kell and Jake Negus sank free throws for a 71-56 lead, word came that Aurora had defeated Marian, and the celebration was on.
Radisevic and Kell shared game-high honors with 18 points apiece, while Radisevic added seven rebounds. Anderson and Seefeld each finished with13 points, as the Eagles shot 44.1 percent from the field and 85 percent (17-for-20) at the free throw line.
Benedictine was led by Jens Soderholm with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Kenny Bogus also had a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Eric Grygo had 10 points. The Eagles defense led by Staver, held Benedictine's leading scorer Brayden Olson to just eight points on 2-for-13 shooting.
Edgewood College, the sixth-seed for the NACC Tournament, will travel to Milwaukee on Tuesday night to face third-seeded MSOE in a first round game. The winner will advance to the semifinals which will be hosted at top-seeded Aurora University on Friday evening. The Spartans claimed the top-seed over Benedictine by virtue of Edgewood College's win.
