The Observer, December 2, 2005
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 12
High-scoring offense powers men's basketball to hot start
After starting the season with three games decided by only six points or less, the men's basketball team was resembling Cleveland's new version of the Kardiac Kids. In the team's past two games, though, the Spartans have been able to finish their opponents with much more ease, defeating Westminster College, 135-120 last Sunday, then beating Hiram College, 101-87, on Wednesday.
In Wednesday's victory, the Spartans had a lethargic start, falling behind 10-6 during the first three minutes. However, the team made an 11-2 to run to grab a 17-12 lead, and the Spartans would not relinquish the lead for the remainder of the game. Still, the Terriers stayed close behind the hot shooting of Rick Baldwin, and Case only led by four points at the half.
The Spartans found their offensive rhythm in the second half, however, and were able to build a 19-point lead with just under five minutes to play. From that point on, the Spartans cruised to victory. The win improved Case's record to 4-1, and the Terriers fell to 0-2.
Leading the way for the Spartans once again was senior forward Carson Oren, who posted his fourth consecutive double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Sophomore Mason Conrad added another double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds, including 15 points in the first half, and Matt Cannan also added 18 points.
After scoring 135 and 101 points in the last two games, it is safe to say that the Spartans are firing on all cylinders at the offensive end.
"We've switched our offense to more of an inside game," Oren said. "Tonight, we shot the ball pretty well, and all of the offensive rebounds helped as well."
Among the shooting stars was Cannan, who had a remarkable shooting night, scoring his 18 points on only eight shots. Coach Sean McDonnell noted that, after a slow start to the season, the sophomore guard/forward has picked up his play.
"Any game when you score 18 points on only eight shots is a really great game," McDonnell said.
Cannan was quite modest when asked about his stellar play.
"My scoring's always been incon-sistent," he said. "I take it when it's there, but I don't try to force it."
Cannan is not the only one who is making a considerably high percentage of shots; the team overall has been excelling on the offensive end.
"If our team shoots 53 percent from the floor, and 53 percent from three, we're going to be pretty tough to beat," McDonnell said.
In addition to the team's overall strong performance, the depth of the bench has greatly improved the team from last season. Funso Lafe, a starter for most of last season, has been moved to the bench to provide a spark of energy, and so far the move has worked. Also, senior big man Buck Bommer has made valuable contributions off the bench, evidenced by his 10 points and six rebounds against Hiram.
"Buck was great tonight," McDonnell said. "He knows his role and does it very well. It's a luxury to have someone like him on our bench."
The Spartans' next game is Monday against Thiel College. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. at the Veale Center.
Lafe named Athlete of the Week: Senior guard Funso Lafe received his first UAA Athlete of the Week award this week. Lafe scored a career-high 39 points in the Spartans' win against Westminster, and scored a game-high 23 points in the team's one-point loss to Wilmington on Nov. 22.
In the scorebook: Freshman guard Steve Young scored the first-points of his collegiate career with a three pointer late in the second half. Young finished the game with five points. Freshmen Brad Sutton and Dan Hildebrandt also saw action, and scored two points and one point, respectively.
