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Krull has Hot Hand
in Win for Pointers
by Scott Williams
Stevens Point Journal
Original Article
Box Score
Jon Krull isn't big on the
grand entrance.
Truth be told, he's content to operate in anonymity during most University
of Wisconsin-Stevens Point men's basketball games.
So it only seemed fitting that Krull used the back door to make a major
impact Thursday night in the finale of the 33rd annual Sentry Classic.
Krull scored a season-high 19 points to lead three players in double figures
as the top-ranked Pointers crushed Wisconsin Lutheran College 82-42 at the
Quandt Fieldhouse.
The sophomore from Marshall came into the game averaging 7.4 points a game.
"It's all based on our offense. We use a five-man motion," said Krull of his
offensive explosion. "They were overplaying the passing lanes hard and I'm
the designated cutter in the offense. It leaves a lot open for me."
Krull was a factor right from the start - which is a news bulletin in
itself.
For one reason or another, points have been tough for Krull to come by in
the opening halves of games this season.
That certainly wasn't the case against Wisconsin Lutheran, which watched
Krull shred their defense for 10 first-half points - nearly matching his
total in the opening halves of the first nine games.
With Krull padding his numbers with lay-up after lay-up, and Jason Kalsow
and Nick Bennett up to their usual tricks with 17 and 14 points,
respectively, UWSP (10-0) was able to build a commanding 45-18 lead at
halftime.
Krull's own personal lay-up drill was the subject of some good-natured
ribbing from his teammates who were wondering if he could make a shot
outside 5 feet.
"Things just opened up for me. More of my offense has been coming inside
this season with post ups," Krull said. "It just gives us another offensive
weapon we can bring to the table."
Even the referees felt this one was over at halftime.
The start of the second half was delayed for several minutes as the
officials were tardy returning to the court.
All that remained to be seen was just how large the final margin of victory
would become.
The proverbial garbage time began with 12 minutes left. UWSP enjoyed its
biggest lead of 43 points at 80-37 with 1:18 remaining in regulation.
"We hold them to a standard. We try to play Pointer basketball every second
we're on the court," UWSP coach Jack Bennett said.
"We beat two goods teams the last two nights. I'm not saying they're
world-beaters, but they'll do well in the leagues. We have the potential to
make good teams look bad."
It was the 41st straight regular season nonconference win for the Pointers,
who extended their winning streak to 19 over the past two seasons.
The Pointers did it with a stingy defense and an unselfish and pinpoint
passing display that would make the Harlem Globetrotters green with envy.
Through 10 games, UWSP has not allowed more than 59 points in a game and
teams are shooting just 35 percent from the field.
The Warriors (4-7) couldn't even live up to that unimpressive standard,
connecting on just 16 of 64 field goal attempts - a frigid 25 percent.
"When I shook hands with their coach (Edward Noon) after the game the first
thing he said was, 'Your defense is not getting enough credit,'" said coach
Bennett. "I do feel our defense is better than it's been."
It also would be hard to imagine a better passing team. Of the 33 field
goals UWSP made in the game 20 came on the end of assists.
As a result, the Pointers piled up easy baskets which might help explain why
they continued their torrid shooting pace with a 58 percent effort from the
field Thursday.
That performance came on the heels of a 70 percent, and the point man on the
exquisite passing exhibition was none other than Jason Kalsow. The 6-foot-7
senior center dished out a team-high six assists and set an example of what
unselfish play can do for a team.
"This is a team that really looks for one another," coach Bennett said. "And
when you hold teams in the 30s, 40s and 50s in today's age of basketball
that's pretty good."
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