MADISON, Wis. - It's been a season full of tough losses for the Edgewood College men's basketball team, but that doesn't make Wednesday night's loss to Marian University sting any less. The Eagles watched a 16-point second half lead disappear under nearly flawless play from the Sabres in a n 86-82 heartbreaker at the Todd Wehr Edgedome. With the loss, the Eagles are mathematically eliminated from Northern Athletics Conference Tournament contention.
Edgewood College's Michael Janusek hit a three-point basket to open the second half and put the Eagles ahead 39-23. Edgewood College (6-17, 5-9 NAC) still lead 52-37 after a Brett Meineckejump shot with 12:35 to go, before the Sabres began to reel the Eagles in. A jumper by Mike Keller pulled Marian University (15-8, 10-4 NAC) within three points with four minutes to go to set up great ending.
Marian's Drew Binversie who would lead all scorers with 22 points, nailed a three-point basket to tie the game at 69 with 1:48 to go. However, after an Eagle timeout, Dylan Rusch attacked the basket and drew a foul. Rusch drained both free throws to give the Eagles a 71-69 lead. On the other end, Alex Stecker missed a shot for the Sabres and Justin Williamspulled one of his career-high 17 rebounds to put the Eagles back in possession with 48 seconds to go in regulation.
However, following an Edgewood College timeout, Marian's Brad Koth picked off the inbound pass and went in for a layup to tie the game again at 71. The Eagles' Joe Klocek couldn't connect on a three-point shot and Binversie missed at the buzzer on the other end to send the game to overtime.
Keller and Stecker got the Sabres off in overtime, combining for the first seven points to take a 78-74 lead.From that point on, Marian would use the free throw line to keep the Eagles just out of reach. The Sabres made nine of 10 from the line in the overtime and 19-for-20 from the stripe after halftime. Marian also committed just four turnovers for the game.
The first half was owned by Williams, who put up 12 points and nine rebounds in just 12 minutes of action. Trailing 17-15 Klocek hit a three-point basket which sparked a 17-1 run to put Edgewood College ahead 32-18. The Eagles would hold that lead all the way into overtime.
Williams led the Eagles with 20 points and his career-best 17 rebounds, marking the first double-double of his career. Rusch followed his career-high 26 point day against Wisconsin Lutheran last Saturday with 17 points and a team-high five assists against the Sabres. Meinecke added in 14, while Klocek had his third double-double of the season with 11 points and 10 rebounds, to give the Eagles four players in double figures. The Eagles received 57 points off their bench and crushed the Sabres on the boards 43-26. Edgewood College shot 43.5 percent for the game.
Marian University was led by Binversie with 22 points, followed by Cody Veleke with 19, including 9-for-10 from the free throw line. Stecker and Koth added 14 and 10 points, respectively. The Sabres hit 25-for-28 (89.3 percent) from the free throw line and shot 47.5 percent from the field.
Edgewood College has two games remaining in their 2012-13 season. The Eagles will travel to Rockford College on Saturday where they will try to improve to 5-1 against NAC South Division opponents. Edgewood College will conclude the season at home for Senior Night next Tuesday against MSOE.