Basketball is a game of runs and swings. Last night was a prime example. We hosted the Royals of Lake Region State College in a game that expected to be high scoring. The two teams did not disappoint, as the Royals went home with an 101-99 overtime win after a furious Lumberjack comeback fell just short.
The first half was the ultimate game of runs with the biggest being a 9-1 DCB run that gave the Jacks a 25-19 lead that would prove to be the biggest of the half. For most the rest of the half we would lead by 3-5 points, that was until a 6-0 Royals run turned a 48-43 Jack lead into a 49-48 deficit at halftime. In the first half both teams shot well, LRSC hit 52% from the field and DCB 49%. The difference was at the line as the Royals held a 12-7 advantage. For the Jacks all nine who saw action scored at least two points.
The second half was back and forth early, around the midway point Lake Region went on a 11-3 run to turn their two point lead into a ten point lead at 69-59. The lead would be between seven and 10 for a few minutes, until the Jacks went with four guard and turned up the heat. The turnovers mounted and the lead melted. Eventually it would be all tied at 99, staying in our press JJ Morris secured a steal at half court went for the layup, missed, an Eric Elliott rebound was missed, then Malik Jones got hold of one and was fouled on the attempt. He would go to the line with 0.4 left on the clock and a chance to seal the game, it was not to be as both free throws came off the front of the rim forcing overtime.
In the OT, the teams traded baskets to start, eventually a Morris three would leave Lake Region up 100-99, a foul and free-throw later it was 101-99 with 5.4 seconds to go. The Jacks in bounded the ball under the Royals hoop when Morris drove the to the right wing and shot up a prayer that did not fall ending the game with the Royals getting the two point win.
For the game, LRSC shot 47% overall, while the Jacks hit 45%. Neither team shot the three well combining to hit 11-36 overall. The Royals dominated the boards by a 59-36 mark including 22-13 on the offensive boards, which lead to 10 second chance points. Morris lead the way for the Jacks with 25 points and five steals, five other DCB players scored in double figures as well.
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Friday, January 22, 2016
Trials and Tribulations
Another road game another learning experience. I am hoping as a team we can figure out how to come out better on the road as for the second game we started out slow and got down big early. This time it was at NDSCS, starting out down 12-0, and going 0-10 from the field. We did finally hit a shot but by six minutes in only had 8 points, and for a team averaging over 100 that is alarming. By halftime we were down 54-25, in what looked like a game that could be even uglier in the second half.
In the second half however we came out quick and cut seven points off within the first 3:30. At this point things took a turn for the worse, starting with a Technical foul on my part. I felt that we weren't getting the same calls that our opponents were and voiced this earning the T. This would start a run for the Wildcats that we would not recover from. They would expand the lead to as much as 44 before the final 39 point tally was done at 115-76.
It was a learning experience for us as we learned that if you come out cold shooting you have to work even harder on defense to make it up. This is something from this point on I am confident we will fix. We also learned that on the road things are even harder to come by and you have to be even more ready for adversity. I do think this is still a team that could not only when a wild Mon-Dak Conference but could perhaps gain the biggest prize a birth in the national tournament. The reason for these thoughts, this team has grown up a ton over the last month.
Leading the Jacks was Brian Egejuru with 19 points and four assists, the only other double digit scorer was Kenric Twine with 12 points.
We are now 17-6 overall and 3-2 in conference play. We will host Lake Region State on Monday night.
Current Standings
NDSCS: 4-1
Williston: 3-2
DCB: 3-2
Dawson: 3-2
Lake Region: 2-2
Bismarck State: 1-3
United Tribes: 0-4
In the second half however we came out quick and cut seven points off within the first 3:30. At this point things took a turn for the worse, starting with a Technical foul on my part. I felt that we weren't getting the same calls that our opponents were and voiced this earning the T. This would start a run for the Wildcats that we would not recover from. They would expand the lead to as much as 44 before the final 39 point tally was done at 115-76.
It was a learning experience for us as we learned that if you come out cold shooting you have to work even harder on defense to make it up. This is something from this point on I am confident we will fix. We also learned that on the road things are even harder to come by and you have to be even more ready for adversity. I do think this is still a team that could not only when a wild Mon-Dak Conference but could perhaps gain the biggest prize a birth in the national tournament. The reason for these thoughts, this team has grown up a ton over the last month.
Leading the Jacks was Brian Egejuru with 19 points and four assists, the only other double digit scorer was Kenric Twine with 12 points.
We are now 17-6 overall and 3-2 in conference play. We will host Lake Region State on Monday night.
Current Standings
NDSCS: 4-1
Williston: 3-2
DCB: 3-2
Dawson: 3-2
Lake Region: 2-2
Bismarck State: 1-3
United Tribes: 0-4
Friday, January 15, 2016
Lessons Learned
We had another one of those lesson learned type games last night. We traveled to Williston State to face the Tetons in a key Mon-Dak battle. We battled for a good portion but we were also a bit tentative in a 102-82 loss.
In the first half, WSC came out hot hitting their first eight shots, building a double digit lead early. We would get down by as much as 17, at 39-22 before our motors got going full blast and we cut the lead to five at half, 43-38. We were able to do this holding the Teton's without a field goal the last 5:20 of the half. The bench was huge, with Eric Elliott and Louis Williams each getting nine points and Kenric Twine getting six, combining for 24 of our 38.
The second half started well for us as we were able to cut the lead numerous times to two with chances to tie. The guys fought their backsides off to get back in the game. Despite our defense tightening and our offense starting to click we were not able to get the tie or lead which was a credit to the Tetons. Eventually they would make a couple mini runs of 6-2 or 8-2 to get the lead to double digits and a high of 22. We did make one last attempt at coming back with just over 5:00, cutting the lead back to 14 on six quick points.
For the game, the Tetons shot a blazing 66% from the field, including 6-13 from three. They also won the boards by a 39-35 count, and only grabbed seven rebounds. The Jacks shot 42% from the field, and 8-20 from three. We did have 22 steals, and forced 24 turnovers. Leading the way for us was Eric Elliott with a career high 19 points, with Malik Jones adding 16 and Louis Williams adding 15. A fun fact all three were teammates at Johnson High School in St. Paul, MN.
I really feel this team has a chance to be special and the guys know it, if we can get consistent we will make some noise in the Mon-Dak.
Current Standings
Dawson 2-1
Williston 2-1
DCB 2-1
NDSCS 2-1
Lake Region 1-2
BSC 0-2
UTTC 0-2
In the first half, WSC came out hot hitting their first eight shots, building a double digit lead early. We would get down by as much as 17, at 39-22 before our motors got going full blast and we cut the lead to five at half, 43-38. We were able to do this holding the Teton's without a field goal the last 5:20 of the half. The bench was huge, with Eric Elliott and Louis Williams each getting nine points and Kenric Twine getting six, combining for 24 of our 38.
The second half started well for us as we were able to cut the lead numerous times to two with chances to tie. The guys fought their backsides off to get back in the game. Despite our defense tightening and our offense starting to click we were not able to get the tie or lead which was a credit to the Tetons. Eventually they would make a couple mini runs of 6-2 or 8-2 to get the lead to double digits and a high of 22. We did make one last attempt at coming back with just over 5:00, cutting the lead back to 14 on six quick points.
For the game, the Tetons shot a blazing 66% from the field, including 6-13 from three. They also won the boards by a 39-35 count, and only grabbed seven rebounds. The Jacks shot 42% from the field, and 8-20 from three. We did have 22 steals, and forced 24 turnovers. Leading the way for us was Eric Elliott with a career high 19 points, with Malik Jones adding 16 and Louis Williams adding 15. A fun fact all three were teammates at Johnson High School in St. Paul, MN.
I really feel this team has a chance to be special and the guys know it, if we can get consistent we will make some noise in the Mon-Dak.
Current Standings
Dawson 2-1
Williston 2-1
DCB 2-1
NDSCS 2-1
Lake Region 1-2
BSC 0-2
UTTC 0-2
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
2-0 in Mon-Dak Play
We played host to the Thunderbirds of United Tribes Technical College on Monday evening. It was a game similar to the first conference game against Bismarck State that saw us jump out early, get a big lead in the 2nd half only to let them back in. In the end we did pick up the 106-96 win to improve to 16-4 and 2-0 in Mon-Dak play.
At the half it was 58-45. The first half was a game of runs, with the score 16-15 Jacks, we were able to go on a quick 7-0 run to expand it to 23-15 with 12:49 to go. It would grow to as much as nine, 26-17 with 11:13 to go before a 13-2 UTTC run over would give the T-Birds a 30-28 advantage with 8:48 to go. The teams would go back and forth with DCB getting the advantage late on the way to the 13 point halftime lead. For the half we shot 56% from the field and 5-9 from three. UTTC hit 37% overall and 7-15 from three.
In the second half, a Brian Egejuru three on our first possession after a stop upped the lead to the biggest of the game at 61-45. However UTTC would use a 9-0 run over 3:30 to cut the lead to 61-54 with 16:17 to go. They would continue to cut away until it was just a 3 point advantage at 71-68 with 13:04 remaining. A quick 7-0 spurt capped by a Kenric Twine three point play would up the advantage to 78-68. The lead would be between 10 and 14 the rest of the game. For the game the Jacks shot 52% overall and hit 8-19 (42%) from three. However we only hit six of ten from the line, and gave up 17 offensive rebounds.
Leading the way was Egejuru with 25 points and seven assists. Twine added 17 points and eight rebounds, while Malik Jones just missed his second triple double of the year with 12 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists, as well as four steals.
We are next in action when we travel to Williston for a key early season matchup with the Tetons. Right now they stand 1-0 in conference play while we are 2-0. The winner of the game will have the outright lead in this early Mon-Dak season.
At the half it was 58-45. The first half was a game of runs, with the score 16-15 Jacks, we were able to go on a quick 7-0 run to expand it to 23-15 with 12:49 to go. It would grow to as much as nine, 26-17 with 11:13 to go before a 13-2 UTTC run over would give the T-Birds a 30-28 advantage with 8:48 to go. The teams would go back and forth with DCB getting the advantage late on the way to the 13 point halftime lead. For the half we shot 56% from the field and 5-9 from three. UTTC hit 37% overall and 7-15 from three.
In the second half, a Brian Egejuru three on our first possession after a stop upped the lead to the biggest of the game at 61-45. However UTTC would use a 9-0 run over 3:30 to cut the lead to 61-54 with 16:17 to go. They would continue to cut away until it was just a 3 point advantage at 71-68 with 13:04 remaining. A quick 7-0 spurt capped by a Kenric Twine three point play would up the advantage to 78-68. The lead would be between 10 and 14 the rest of the game. For the game the Jacks shot 52% overall and hit 8-19 (42%) from three. However we only hit six of ten from the line, and gave up 17 offensive rebounds.
Leading the way was Egejuru with 25 points and seven assists. Twine added 17 points and eight rebounds, while Malik Jones just missed his second triple double of the year with 12 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists, as well as four steals.
We are next in action when we travel to Williston for a key early season matchup with the Tetons. Right now they stand 1-0 in conference play while we are 2-0. The winner of the game will have the outright lead in this early Mon-Dak season.
Friday, January 8, 2016
Crazy Season is Here aka Conference Play
We took to the road to open up Mon-Dak play against a depleted but talented and well coached opponent in Bismarck State. We came away with a hard fought victory, 97-91. For the year we stand at 15-4 and 1-0 in Mon-Dak play.
In the first half we got off to a good start with a 3-0 lead and lead all but about thirty seconds of the half. It was a good shooting half as we came out on fire and sharing the ball well. We shot 48% for the half, including 7-17 (41%) from three. However we were only 1-2 from the free-throw line, this would be an issue that would keep coming up. Bismarck State was in the double bonus before the halfway point of the half and would hit 12-22 from the line. They would only shoot 33% from the field and 1-6 from three.
In the second half we came quick hitting on the first five points of the second half on a JJ Morris three and a Wesley Harrison put back to get the biggest lead of the game, 53-35 with about 18:00 to go. BSC would fight back to get within 10 before another run would up the lead to 16 again. We would see this happen one more time before a fierce run by the Mystics would see the game tied on a Scott Nagel three with just over four minutes to go. However, we would quickly go on a 7-2 run and would get the lead up to 8 again before the final tally of 6 was reached. In the second half we shot 62% and 5-9 from three. We did hit 8-13 from the line, however BSC hit 19-23.
For the game, we shot 54% from the field, 12-26 (46%) from three and hit 9-15 from the line. The Mystics countered with 38%, 32%, and an incredible 31-45 from the line. The final count on fouls was 29-15 in favor of BSC. The boards ended tied at 44, however the opponents were able to grab 21 offensive rebounds.
Leading us in scoring was JJ Morris with an efficient 33, going 10-13 from the field and 6-8 from three. Louis Williams had 14, while Neal Hodges added eight and led with 10 rebounds. We are next in action on Monday with a key battle versus Division 2 rival, United Tribes Technical College.
In the first half we got off to a good start with a 3-0 lead and lead all but about thirty seconds of the half. It was a good shooting half as we came out on fire and sharing the ball well. We shot 48% for the half, including 7-17 (41%) from three. However we were only 1-2 from the free-throw line, this would be an issue that would keep coming up. Bismarck State was in the double bonus before the halfway point of the half and would hit 12-22 from the line. They would only shoot 33% from the field and 1-6 from three.
In the second half we came quick hitting on the first five points of the second half on a JJ Morris three and a Wesley Harrison put back to get the biggest lead of the game, 53-35 with about 18:00 to go. BSC would fight back to get within 10 before another run would up the lead to 16 again. We would see this happen one more time before a fierce run by the Mystics would see the game tied on a Scott Nagel three with just over four minutes to go. However, we would quickly go on a 7-2 run and would get the lead up to 8 again before the final tally of 6 was reached. In the second half we shot 62% and 5-9 from three. We did hit 8-13 from the line, however BSC hit 19-23.
For the game, we shot 54% from the field, 12-26 (46%) from three and hit 9-15 from the line. The Mystics countered with 38%, 32%, and an incredible 31-45 from the line. The final count on fouls was 29-15 in favor of BSC. The boards ended tied at 44, however the opponents were able to grab 21 offensive rebounds.
Leading us in scoring was JJ Morris with an efficient 33, going 10-13 from the field and 6-8 from three. Louis Williams had 14, while Neal Hodges added eight and led with 10 rebounds. We are next in action on Monday with a key battle versus Division 2 rival, United Tribes Technical College.
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Not the Way We Wanted to Start
The Lumberjacks went even farther north than Bottineau to play their first game of the 2016 part of their season, travelling to Winnipeg to face Red River College.
We went up short handed with only 7 players due to issues including returning late from home for Christmas and not being able to get across the border with out proper paperwork. Our opponents added three new players, who all played a pivotal role in the win, scoring 40 points combined in a 92-77 win for the Rebels.
We fought hard but just couldn't string together any huge runs, leading by nine a couple times. We led by five after one quarter, and six at the half. The game was tied in the third, but Red River exploded for 34 points in the fourth quarter to secure the win. Leading us in scoring was Neal Hodges with 25 points, adding 13 rebounds. Louis Williams added 14 points, Joe Baker 13, and Wesley Harrison 11 points and 10 rebounds.
The loss dropped us to 14-4 on the year, we are now heading into Mon-Dak Conference play as we travel to Bismarck State College to face the Mystics who stand at 6-8 overall on the year. The game is slated for a 6 PM women's start and approximately 8 PM men's start on Thursday, January 7. It will be broadcast thru the BSC Athletics website.
We went up short handed with only 7 players due to issues including returning late from home for Christmas and not being able to get across the border with out proper paperwork. Our opponents added three new players, who all played a pivotal role in the win, scoring 40 points combined in a 92-77 win for the Rebels.
We fought hard but just couldn't string together any huge runs, leading by nine a couple times. We led by five after one quarter, and six at the half. The game was tied in the third, but Red River exploded for 34 points in the fourth quarter to secure the win. Leading us in scoring was Neal Hodges with 25 points, adding 13 rebounds. Louis Williams added 14 points, Joe Baker 13, and Wesley Harrison 11 points and 10 rebounds.
The loss dropped us to 14-4 on the year, we are now heading into Mon-Dak Conference play as we travel to Bismarck State College to face the Mystics who stand at 6-8 overall on the year. The game is slated for a 6 PM women's start and approximately 8 PM men's start on Thursday, January 7. It will be broadcast thru the BSC Athletics website.
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