Box Score
Box score
LISLE, Ill. - The Wisconsin Lutheran College
men's basketball team erased a 17-point first-half deficit but it
was not enough to overcome Benedictine Wednesday as the Eagles
edged the Warriors, 65-64, at the Dan and Ada Rice Center in Lisle,
Ill. The loss keeps the Warriors magic number at one for their
chance at clinching a berth in the eight-team Northern Athletics
Conference Tournament.
The host Eagles raced out to a fast start as they built an 11-1
lead just 3:20 into play. Benedictine continued its strong start as
the lead reached as high as 17 points, 33-16, with 5:50 remaining
in the opening half. The Warriors' comeback began from that point
on as they ended the half on a 14-4 run, cutting the deficit to
37-33 at the half.
The Warriors shot 41.4 percent (12-for-29) in the first half as
senior guard Nate Bauer (Lake Mills, Wis./Lakeside Lutheran) and
sophomore forward Kyle Stelse (Jefferson, Wis./Lakeside Lutheran)
each led WLC with seven first-half points. BenU countered with 55.6
percent (15-for-27) shooting in the first 20 minutes of play.
WLC carried the momentum over from the end of the first half as
it began the second 20 minutes on a 13-4 run, taking a 46-41 lead
with 12:16 remaining in the game. Junior guard Taylor Chladek (West
Allis, Wis./Nathan Hale) hit two three-pointers during the run.
The Eagles answered the Warriors run with a spurt of their own
as they rallied off a 15-2 run to grab a 56-48 lead with 6:13 left
on the clock. It was then the Warriors turn to make another run
as they again responded with a 13-4 spurt, capped off by a
sophomore Sam Kuehl (Lake Mills, Wis./Lakeside Lutheran) jumper for
a 61-60 lead with 1:48 left in the game.
BenU scored on its next possession to take the lead back, 62-61,
and would score again with 40 seconds left in the game for a 64-61
advantage. WLC would get a pair of three-point attempts off with a
chance to tie before BenU hit the clinching free throw with two
seconds left. Bauer burried a half-court heave at the buzzer for
the 65-64 final score.
The Warriors shot 41.9 percent (13-for-31) in the second half,
including an impressive 58.3 percent (7-for-12) from three-point
range. Chladek, who finished with a team-high and tied a
career-high with 14 points, made four three-point baskets in the
second half. Stelse and Bauer added 12 points apiece, while Kuehl
finished with 11 points as four Warriors scored in
double-figures.
Benedictine (6-17, 4-10 NAC) was led by Luke Johnson, who posted
a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Tim McGinty added
15 points for the Eagles, who finished the game shooting 47.3
percent (26-for-55).
Wisconsin Lutheran (9-14, 6-8 NAC) will look to punch its ticket
to the eight-team NAC Tournament Saturday when it hosts Concordia
Wisconsin (15-8, 10-4 NAC) for Winterfest and Senior Day. The
Warriors and Falcons tip-off at 3:15 p.m. at the Recreation
Complex. Fans unable to attend the game can follow live audio,
stats, and video at wlcsports.com.
