MADISON – The Edgewood College Eagles men's basketball squad hosted a Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) battle at a snowed-in Todd Wehr Edgedome Saturday afternoon. They faced down the MSOE Raiders as they looked to get back on a winning track. The Eagles (7-9, 6-4 NACC) fended off a tenacious Raiders (6-10, 3-6) squad in 69-66 fashion.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Eagles blitzed to an early 17-11 lead at the 13:21 mark with three three-pointers fueling the charge. A 10-4 rally in 6:00 minutes of play pulled MSOE within 30-27, but late free throws in the final four seconds of the frame sent Edgewood College to the lockers up 34-27.
- The Raiders rallied early in the second half, a 9-2 run tying the game 36-36 at the 17:22 mark. MSOE continued to roll, wrapping up a 14-5 rally halfway through the frame to take a 56-47 lead.
- The Eagles would reply with authority, efficient offense working in tandem with strong defense and rebounding for a 11-2 burst in 3:44 of play to tie things back up at 58-all. Edgewood College continued to roll into the final minutes, an additional 10-3 stretch leaving them ahead 68-61 after a
Dawson Hughes three at the 1:48 mark. MSOE would pull within a possession in the final minute of play, but a last-ditch three-point attempt fell short.
- A true team effort fueled the victory for the Eagles. Six players scored eight or more points, shooting 48.1 (25-of-52) percent from the field and 47.1 (8-of-17) from beyond the arc as the team put together one of their best shooting performances of the season.
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Drew Houtakker led the way with 13 points and eight rebounds.
Trey Traeder also contributed 11 points and three steals.
- Hughes came up big in the victory, earning 10 points, six rebounds, and six assists.
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Luke Cervelli recorded eight points and four blocks.
Cade Ellingson tallied nine points, while
Dillon Garthwaite rounded out the top scorers with eight points in nine minutes of play.
- Mason Dopirak and Donovan Carter both had game-highs in points with 17 each.
- Edgewood College held a crucial 18-to-9 advantage in points off the bench.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Traeder's three steals and Cervelli's four blocks were both career bests.
- Hughes' 4.2 assists per game is second in the NACC, while Cervelli's 1.3 blocks per game is fifth in the league.
- The Eagles are 55-27 all-time versus the Raiders.
- With the victory today, Edgewood College tied their win total from the 2022-23 season.
UP NEXT
The Eagles hit the road for a stretch of four road games in five outings. They will travel to face the Lakeland Muskies in more NACC action Wednesday in Plymouth, Wis. with first tip scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Edgewood College has won back-to-back affairs against the Muskies, including winning a triple overtime battle at the Edgedome earlier this season.
