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UW-Stevens Point
Comes Back to Defeat Carroll
By Jerry Rhoden
Stevens Point Journal
Original Article
Box Score
Like the Green Bay Packers to the Chicago Bears, the Pioneers of Carroll
College made the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point pay for its mistakes.
But the Pointers re-grouped in a manner worthy of their national No. 2
ranking to overcome an eight-point halftime deficit and run off an 80-68
nonconference win Sunday at Quandt Fieldhouse.
"This is exactly what we needed," Pointers head coach Jack Bennett said.
"We're going to have so many similar games in the (Wisconsin Intercollegiate
Athletic Conference)." In a
non-conference slate that saw the unbeaten Pointers win by as many as 44
points and no fewer than 14, UWSP ran out to an 11-2 edge and lulled itself
into complacency with an early run reminiscent of most of its first five
victories.
"We made that early run but then let them creep back in it," said junior
Jason Kalsow, who had a game-high 26 points for the second straight game.
"We didn't contest (shots), and when we quick-shoot, it's tougher for us to
get back on defense." Carroll (2-3)
hunkered down and threw double- and triple-teams at Kalsow along the
baseline, and the junior found himself forcing shots in spite of himself.
"In the first half I forced a couple of shots against their double team,"
Kalsow said. "I panicked a little bit."
Carroll took care of the ball in the first half, turning it over just three
times before giving it up 11 total for the game. In each of the Pointers'
six victories, their opponents have had more turnovers than assists.
"They did a little better job getting their shooters into their spots,"
Carroll head coach David Schultz said. "Once they were up two possessions,
they knew how to play with a lead."
David Lauer hit a 3-pointer to give Carroll its first lead as the Pioneers
shot 8-of-13 from long range in the first half. They hit 48.1 percent from
the field in the first half and 40 percent for the game as the Pointers
ratcheted up their defense in the second half.
While the Pointers hit 51.7 percent of their first-half field goals and 66.7
percent in the second half, few shots came easily.
"They played the best defense that we've seen," said junior Nick Bennett,
who had 20 points. "We had to work the shot clock. They came out excited and
the team gets confidence." Bennett hit
a trey to put the Pointers back on top four minutes into the second half,
and Kalsow hit a short jumper in the post to give UWSP the lead for good
with 11:46 to go.
The Pointers travel to Menomonie to take on UW-Stout, a team it swept last
season, at 7 p.m. Wednesday. |
