Bookstore Basketball XXXI: Mourning Wood and Dime Pieces go to extra time for decision
By ANDY TROEGER
Sports Writer
While the top seven seeds were challenged in Bookstore Basketball action Thursday, all of them held form to advance in tightly contested games.
The most competitive game of the evening came in the No. 7 seed vs. No. 10 seed game where seventh-ranked Mourning Wood knocked off 10th-ranked Dime Pieces 23-21.
"It was a real good game," said Wood's Brett Gansen. "There were a lot of fouls. Matt Panzer and Steve Lickus came up big for us."
The game was tied at 10 before Wood rolled to a 15-12 lead. Pieces tied the game again at 17, but again Wood rolled off consecutive hoops to regain the lead at 19-17. That lead was short-lived as Pieces quickly closed to tie the game again at 19.
With the game tied again at 20, both teams missed three opportunities to take the lead, including two missed free throws by Pieces. The tie was broken when Panzer hit a basket to give Wood a 21-20 lead. Pieces came back to tie it at 21 on their next possession before another Panzer basket gave Wood the lead for good. Lickus scored the final point in Wood's win.
"The game was fought hard to the end," said Pieces' Phillip Madonia. "We had our chances, but it was a great game. They just ended up with more points than us."
"We were a little bigger," added Gansen, "and our size helped us out in the end."
No. 1 seed black J.A.C.K.S. was challenged by Team 524 before advancing 21-17. Team 524 jumped to a 5-3 lead and tied the game at 11 before J.A.C.K.S scored three straight to take the lead for good.
"We knew they'd come out playing hard," said J.A.C.K.S' Kevin Muempfer. "They actually out-hustled us and played really well. Our size helped us and got them in foul trouble."
"They're a great team and would be favored on paper," said Team 524's Matt Parsons, "but there's a reason they play the games. We wish them good luck the rest of the way."
"We have the most rabid fans," added 524's Dan O'Boyle. "We were well-hydrated, which was key to our success."
The only lower-seeded team to advance was No. 9 We Get Wet who defeated No. 8 seed 5 Degree Guarantee 21-18. Down 14-12, Wet went on a 7-2 run to take a 19-16 lead before holding on for the win.
"We stepped up our defense in the second half," said Wet captain Justin Funk. "We thought we could run on them early, but instead they ran on us. We were more successful once we took our press off."
No. 5 mmm … Cheese took an early lead then held on in the second half to advance over Kelly Kapowski 21-18. After Cheese took a 16-13 lead, Kapowski closed to within two on four occasions but could never get closer.
"Our offensive rebounds by Tony [Carney] and Grant [Gholson] led to some cheap baskets," said Cheese's DJ Lipke. "We've been able to do that the last couple games."
Games continue in the elite eight beginning at 3:45 today on Stepan courts.
All Sports Stories for Friday, April 26, 2002
