Mens basketball advances to NCAA Championship Tournament
| Published: 03/03/2003 |
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MSOE men’s basketball team upset defending Lake Michigan Conference (LMC) champions Lakeland College on Saturday by a score of 91-87 to win the conference championship. The MSOE Raiders advance to the NCAA III Championship Tournament where they will take on UW-Oshkosh Thursday, March 6 at 7 p.m.
On Saturday, with 18 first half points in the paint, 10 of them by MSOE’s Matt Hopf, the Raiders jumped out to an early 30-23 lead. Lakeland fought back as junior guard Danny Jansson hit a 3-pointer late in the first half to send the teams into the locker room tied at 40. With the Muskies seemingly controlling much of the second half, MSOE’s Adam Lewis, not only stole the show, he stole the ball on two consecutive possessions finishing with a dunk, and a three point play. The swing tied the game at 62-all with 9:43 remaining.
From there on the game would see numerous lead changes and several ties, setting up the dramatic final minutes.
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| Matt Hopf breaks the tie at 85 to ice the game. |
Lakeland’s Ricky Davis hit two free throws to put the Muskies up 80-74 with just over two minutes remaining. From there it was all MSOE as Alan Williams scored eight points hitting back to back 3-pointers and two free throws and Jeff Mikos added a third three ending a 11-0 run, and giving the Raiders a 85-80 lead.
The resilient Lakeland team would not give in as Cory Nickel stole the ball and finished with a layup, bringing the game within two. After a defensive stop, freshman Nick Howard drilled a huge 3-pointer knotting the game at 85.
MSOE’s Matt Hopf, who scored 27 points on the night, was then fouled on the ensuing possession giving MSOE the lead for good. MSOE was led by Hopf’s 27 points and Justin Kramer’s 14.
MSOE takes on the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh men's basketball team 7 p.m. Thursday, March 6 at UW-Oshkosh’s Kolf Sports Center. Directions: from Highway 41, exit at Highway 21 (Exit #119). Take Highway 21 east (Oshkosh Avenue) to High Avenue (first stoplight after crossing the Fox River). Turn right at High Avenue (one-way street) and then proceed about one mile to Kolf Sports Center, where parking lots #7 or #13 are located on the right side of street.