11/16/07
After a sleepy start in the first half of the Baker University men’s basketball matchup against Ottawa University Saturday, the Wildcats found themselves with their first loss of the season.
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The team matched up against the Braves in its second game of the Baker Classic Basketball Tournament in Collins Gym.
Head coach Rick Weaver said the men started playing too late to pull off a win.
“Ottawa came out strong to begin the game, and we dug ourselves into a deep hole early with turnovers and mistakes,” he said. “We managed to make a couple runs in the second half, but it was too little too late. Ottawa played a great game on both ends, and they definitely outplayed us.”
After a team shooting percentage of 46 percent to Ottawa’s 60 percent, senior Aaron Toren was the only Wildcat in double figures, putting up 17 points and grabbing five rebounds.
Senior Matt Mills said although the Braves shot well, the Wildcats could have had better defensive pressure.
“They shot really well, so we have to give them some credit, but our pressure wasn’t as good as it should’ve been,” he said. “In the second half we had a few runs against them, but we just couldn’t break through. We still have another shot at them in Ottawa, so we’ll be ready.”
Senior Andy Hannon and junior Nick Iversen each added nine points, while junior Heath Baird put up eight.
Mills said although it’s early in the season, a loss isn’t acceptable for this new group of players.
“Even though we’re 3-1, we still feel like we should be 4-0,” he said. “Every game we go into we want to win, and I think we have a good mindset on our team that losses aren’t going to be put up with very well.”
The Braves shot 46 percent from behind the arc, while the Wildcats only shot 29 percent.
Although the Braves are a non-conference team, the Wildcats will have another opportunity Tuesday, as they will travel to Ottawa to take on the Braves one more time.
Although the team dropped its second game of the classic, it pulled out a close victory against Sterling College last Friday. After a low scoring game, the Wildcats pulled through 59-57.
Toren remained consistent over the weekend, scoring 19 points for the Wildcats and pulled down six boards. Mills led the team in rebounds with eight.
With the game going back and forth the entire first half, Sterling went on an 18-4 scoring streak, finishing the first half 29-27.
“The first half was close, but we finished poorly,” Mills said. “We made it a point at halftime to come out aggressive and with a lot of intensity in the second half. We grinded it out, it was tough victory, but it was still a win.”
Hannon stepped up, scoring 15 points and four rebounds.
With both teams scoring 38 percent from the field, Mills said it came down to defense and who wanted to win more.
“Neither team really played that well offensively, but when it came down to crunch time, we made it happen,” he said.
The Wildcats forced 18 turnovers and limited only one Sterling player to double figures.
“It was a game of spurts with some good and bad moments,” Weaver said. “We had a shaky stretch at the end of the first half, but we did manage to make a couple key plays late to get the win.”
Baird said the team is gearing up this week for its exhibition game against Northwest Missouri State University Friday.
“We didn’t work very hard Saturday,” Baird said. “We weren’t ready to play, so this week we have to make sure we’re ready. Our big thing is we need to rebound the ball. We didn’t do that on Saturday.”
Weaver said the reaction he’s received from players makes him excited for what’s to come this season.
“I think our guys were disappointed in their performance, especially against Ottawa,” he said. “Still, that’s a good sign because we’ve got some guys that are willing to work hard to improve. It’s a long season, and we’re just getting started.”
The Wildcats tip-off at 7:30 p.m. today in Maryville, Mo. Northwest Missouri State currently holds the No. 4 position in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II national rankings and is picked to win its league title this season.
The Wildcats continue play at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Ottawa and will play in the Columbia Classic Friday and Nov. 24. but we just couldn’t break through. We still have another shot at them in Ottawa, so we’ll be ready.”
Senior Andy Hannon and junior Nick Iversen each added nine points, while junior Heath Baird put up eight.
Mills said although it’s early in the season, a loss isn’t acceptable for this new group of players.
“Even though we’re 3-1, we still feel like we should be 4-0,” he said. “Every game we go into we want to win, and I think we have a good mindset on our team that losses aren’t going to be put up with very well.”
The Braves shot 46 percent from behind the arc, while the Wildcats only shot 29 percent.
Although the Braves are a non-conference team, the Wildcats will have another opportunity Tuesday, as they travel to Ottawa to take on the Braves again.
The team dropped its second game of the classic, but pulled out a victory against Sterling College last Friday. After a low scoring game, the Wildcats pulled through 59-57.
Toren remained consistent over the weekend, scoring 19 points for the Wildcats and pulled down six boards. Mills led the team with eight rebounds.
With the game going back and forth the entire first half, Sterling went on an 18-4 scoring streak, finishing the first half 29-27.
“The first half was close, but we finished poorly,” Mills said. “We made it a point at halftime to come out aggressive and with a lot of intensity in the second half. We grinded it out, it was a tough victory, but it was still a win.”
Hannon stepped up, scoring 15 points.
With both teams scoring 38 percent from the field, Mills said it came down to defense and who wanted to win more.
“Neither team really played that well offensively, but when it came down to crunch time, we made it happen,” he said.
The Wildcats forced 18 turnovers and limited one player to double figures.
“It was a game of spurts with some good and bad moments,” Weaver said. “We had a shaky stretch at the end of the first half, but we did manage to make a couple key plays late to get the win.”
Baird said the team is gearing up this week for its exhibition game against Northwest Missouri State University Friday.
“We didn’t work very hard Saturday,” Baird said. “We weren’t ready to play, so this week we have to make sure we’re ready. Our big thing is we need to rebound the ball. We didn’t do that on Saturday.”
Weaver said the reaction he’s received from players makes him excited for what’s to come.
“I think our guys were disappointed in their performance, especially against Ottawa,” he said. “Still, that’s a good sign because we’ve got some guys that are willing to work hard to improve. It’s a long season, and we’re just getting started.”
The Wildcats tip-off at 7:30 p.m. today in Maryville, Mo.