Stories Written By Bay College SID Mike Pankow
SATURDAY'S MEN'S GAME SUMMARY
LA CROSSE, WI – The Bay College Norse Men's Basketball Team (2-2) came out on top of a back-and-forth battle with the Western Technical College Cavaliers (0-1) on Saturday afternoon. The two teams would have to go to overtime to get a decision, but the Norse stole the victory on the road by a final score of 79-72.
There were six ties and 11 lead changes in the first half as neither team would be able to take control. Western Tech shot it well early on, hitting on 42.% from the field, but only connected on three of 11 from three-point.
Bay College was just 13 of 41 from the floor in the first half (31.7%), but knocked down six of 17 from behind the arc. The Cavaliers got a three-point basket in their last possession of the first half, giving them a 33-32 lead going into intermission.
The home team started the second half cold, going just over seven minutes without scoring. Bay College took advantage, going on a 13-0 run and claiming a 45-33 lead.
A technical foul got Western Tech started, hitting the free throw and then scoring at the rim in the ensuing possession. They closed the gap quickly and would take the lead.
It looked as though the Cavaliers were going to put the game away as they went up by seven with just under two minutes left to play. Bay College turned the tide, creating multiple turnovers down the stretch, tying the game late.
Bay had a chance with time winding down to win in regulation, but turned the ball over with just over four seconds remaining. The Cavaliers missed on their opportunity, sending the game into overtime.
The Norse were strong in overtime, hitting four of seven from the field and building a double-digit lead. The Cavaliers converted just two of their overtime attempts from the field.
"I was really happy with the way that we responded tonight, especially after the way that last night in Rochester went.," said Head Coach Matt Johnson. "I was happy to see the kids fight, weather the storm when Western made their run, and the fact that we had some guys step up down the stretch and figure some things out. I was proud of the effort and how hard we worked, but we definitely still have some room to improve on the discipline and execution. It was a good win and I am proud of the guys."
Ryan Robinette (SO, Escanaba, MI) led all scorers. He ended the evening with 26 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Chris Dobessi (FR, Detroit, MI) tallied a double-double, scoring 18 points and grabbing ten rebounds, while collecting four steals. Christian Alexander (SO, Dorset, UK) also earned credit for a double-double, ending his day with 14 points and 13 rebounds. Matt Wagner (FR, Marinette, WI) added 12 points and five assists.
Jarrell Tarr (SO, Springfield, IL) scored 16 points, including hitting two of four from three-point, dished out 11 assists, and grabbed six rebounds.
Austin Malkowski (FR, Muskego, WI) knocked down four of six from behind the arc off the bench on his way to 13 points for the evening. Hunter Davis (FR, Prairie Du Chien, WI) added ten points and six rebounds.
Bay College returns home next weekend and plays host to Lake Superior State's JV team. That game is scheduled for a 3 pm tip on Sunday, November 17.
SATURDAY'S WOMEN'S GAME SUMMARY
LA CROSSE, WI – The Bay College Norse Women's Basketball Team (2-1) would be handed their first loss of the season on Saturday afternoon as they were overwhelmed on the road. The Western Tech Cavaliers ran away with a 74-45 victory.
A poor shooting game coupled with a turnover-filled afternoon spelled disaster for the Norse. They turned the ball over 29 times in the game, and shot 32.7% from the floor. That included a one for 11 performance from behind the three-point arc in the second half, and a 15.8% from deep for the game.
The road team left points at the free throw line as well, converting on just ten of 21 attempts for the game. Bay also lost the rebounding battle by a wide margin, grabbing just 29 total rebounds. The Cavaliers dominated the glass, collecting 44 rebounds throughout the contest.
Western Tech ended the game shooting 44.1% from the field, though they did struggle a bit from deep, hitting just four of 17 from three-point. They got the job done from the charity stripe, knocking down 18 of 24 free throws. Perhaps the lone bright spot for the Norse was their pressure forced 27 Cavalier turnovers.
"We had some very patient offense in the first quarter that led to some scores and when they stepped up their pressure, we didn't handle it well," said Head Coach Rob Robinson. "The best thing about a game at this point in the season is that we can learn from it and step up in a tough situation later in the year."
Makenna Gabel (SO, Fountain City, WI) led all scorers with 18 points, while grabbing four rebounds. Lindsey Murphey (SO, Necedah, WI) added 13 points for Western Tech, while Caitlin Young (SO, Holmen, WI) scored ten. Rylee Gable (SO, Fountain City, WI) grabbed eight rebounds.
The Norse were paced by Kelsea Ackerman (SO, Munising, MI) who scored 14 points while hitting three of five from behind the three-point arc. Marissa Ackerman (SO, Munising, MI), Taylor Hunter (SO, Gladstone, MI), and Brooke Dalgord (SO, Garden, MI) added five points apiece.
The Norse return to play on Sunday, November 17. They will host Lake Superior State's JV team in a 1 pm tipoff. On Monday they welcome UW-Green Bay, Marinette to Escanaba. That game starts at 6 pm.
FRIDAY'S MEN'S GAME SUMMARY
ROCHESTER, MN - The Bay College Men's Basketball Team (1-2) came out flat and allowed the Rochester Community and Technical College Yellowjackets (1-0) to run away with an 88-75 victory.
After an early flurry of missed opportunities on both ends, the Yellowjackets took advantage early. They were able to convert in transition, putting the Norse in a hole. Bay found a way to stick in the game however, and ended up trailing by a score of 44-32 at the half.
The second half started as a back-and-forth battle, but the tide would turn in the favor of the home team. Rochester would lead by as many 21 midway through the second half. As they have in all three games this season, Bay showed their character and fought their way back in. They would cut the lead to ten with just under two minutes left, but Rochester sealed the game from the free throw line, ending up with a 13-point victory.
Official statistics were not available at the time of this publication.
