UWS men win in OT, keep playoff hopes alive

By news@superiortelegram.com

February 19, 2010 at 7:08 AM

The University of Wisconsin-Superior men's basketball team kept its playoff hopes alive with a 89-79 overtime victory over UW-Eau Claire Wednesday night at Zorn Arena in Eau Claire.

Junior forward Jake Smith scored 31 points and had 12 rebounds to help the Yellowjackets improve to 14-10 overall and 7-8 in the WIAC. Dan Culy added 23 points and Dwight Hill chipped in with 14 for the Yellowjackets, who outrebounded Eau Claire 44-31.

Amadou Fofana had 18 points for the Blugolds.

UWS wraps up the regular season at 3 p.m. Saturday at UW-Whitewater.

"There could be a four-way tie for third place," UWS coach Logan Flora said. "Not only do we need a win, but we also need a lot of help."

While UW-Stevens Point and UW-Whitewater have already clinched byes in the WIAC playoffs, UW-La Crosse, UW-Stout, UWS, UW-Platteville and UW-Eau Claire are vying for the final four playoff berths.

UWLC and Stout are 8-7 in the WIAC, Superior and UWP are 7-8 and UWEC is 6-9.

Besides UWS playing at Whitewater, Eau Claire is at Stout, Stevens Point is at La Crosse and UW-River Falls is at Platteville.

Depending on Saturday's outcomes, Superior could finish anywhere from third place to sixth.

UWS opened an 18-point lead early in the second half thanks to a 19-3 run only to see the Blugolds rally and eventually force overtime.

The Yellowjackets helped themselves during the run by not missing a shot for more than the first six minutes.

From the 14:51 mark to 4:55, the Blugolds outscored Superior 33-13 to take the lead for the first time since late in the first half. Colin Boone nailed a 3-pointer to put the Blugolds up by one, but the teams would once again battle back and forth, much like they did in the first half, until they found themselves even at 71-71, the 11th tie of the game.

The Blugolds had a tough time getting their offense going in the overtime, as they went 3-for-7 from the floor and 2-for-5 from the free-throw line. Superior went 4-for-6 from the floor and 9-for-12 from the line in the 10-point win.

UWS women fall

Hannah Mesick had 19 points and 12 rebounds to lead UWEC to a 72-48 victory over UWS Wednesday night at Mertz Mortorelli Gym.

Mesick helped the Blugolds (9-15, 8-7) hold a dominating 46-24 edge in rebounding. Connie Urmanski scored nine points for the Yellowjackets (8-16, 3-12).

The game went back and forth for much of the first half until Eau Claire went ahead at the eight-minute mark. The Blugolds wouldn't relinquish the lead again, taking a 34-18 score into halftime and eventually winning by a margin of 24, tying for their second largest margin of victory on the season.

UWS plays at 1 p.m. Saturday at UW-Whitewater.

WIAC Men's Basketball

UW-Stevens Point (21-3) 12-3

UW-Whitewater (20-4) 12-3

UW-La Crosse (16-8) 8-7

UW-Stout (14-10) 8-7

UW-Superior (14-10) 7-8

UW-Platteville (13-11) 7-8

UW-Eau Claire (14-10) 6-9

UW-Oshkosh (10-14) 5-11

UW-River Falls (9-15) 3-12

Saturday, Feb. 13