The Observer, February 16, 2007
Volume XXXIX, Issue 17
Victory eludes Spartans in close defeat at Chicago
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The men's basketball team played arguably its best basketball game of the season last Friday at Chicago, even though the Spartans lost to the Chicago Maroons, 77-73. The Spartans led most of the way, building a 13-point lead early in the second half. However, late turnovers and Chicago's hot three-point shooting dashed the Spartans' hopes of earning their first UAA victory of the season.
The Spartans led for the majority of the game. Junior center Mason Conrad helped Case build an early lead, scoring 10 of the team's first 13 points. Sophomore guard Steve Young took control from there, scoring 14 points in the first half while making four of five three-point attempts.
Case added to its lead early in the second half, leading Chicago 57-44 with 14:50 remaining. From that point forward, though, Chicago's cold shooting from the outside began to warm up, and the Maroons inched closer. With just under five minutes remaining, the Maroons took the lead, 68-67. Both teams then traded their leads over the next four minutes.
With 44 seconds left, Chicago's Jake Pancratz made a jumper off the backboard to tie the game at 73. On Chicago's next possession, Pancratz scored another basket on a lay-up, giving Chicago the lead, 75-73. Chicago's Jason Vismantas then fouled Case's Steve Young with 4.5 seconds remaining. Young's first foul shot of the one-and-one bounced tantalizingly around the rim before falling off. Hainje grabbed the rebound for Chicago and was fouled, then made both of Chicago's free throws to preserve the victory.
Other than on the scoreboard, Case outplayed Chicago in most areas of the game, including shooting a higher percentage (61.5 to 46.4) from the field and out-rebounding the Maroons, 29-22.
"On the road against a nationally ranked opponent, that was the best game we've played this year," head coach Sean McDonnell said.
Case could not continue the solid play the following Sunday in St. Louis, however. After the Spartans started with an 8-0 run, Washington University controlled the rest of the game. The Spartans had no answer for the Bears' hot shooting from the outside and the powerful inside attack of Troy Ruths.
McDonnell acknowledged the challenge that facing the Bears presents.
"Washington poses more problems for us," he said. "We could beat them, but we would have to play exceptionally well to do so. We have a hard time scoring against them because they have a lot of length down low, and they have taller guards as well, which forces our offense further out."
Young concurred, citing the Bears' balance as their most dangerous weapon.
"They're the most diverse and the best team we've played," he said. "Chicago's great, but they're mainly a three-point shooting team. With Ruths inside, and as well as they shoot from the outside, I can't see any team beating [Wash. U.] from here on out. If I had to pick a team to win the conference, it would be them."
Young led the Spartans in scoring in both games, with 19 point against Chicago and 22 versus Washington. Though disappointed about the margin of defeat against the Bears, Young enjoyed playing in front of family and friends in his hometown of St. Louis.
"It felt just like high school, but even better," he said. "I respect the fact that they came to see me play."
The shooting guard's play has picked up in recent weeks. Two weeks ago, during Throwback Weekend, Young scored a team-high 24 points. On Sunday, he found his shot again in the second half after struggling from the field early in the game.
"It's a lot easier to play when your shot is on," he said. "In the first half, my shot wasn't going in. In the second half, I made a couple shots, and I had more confidence. When you're confident, you're not afraid to shoot. Everything fell into place from there."
Young and the Spartans will have to maintain a high level of confidence this weekend when they battle New York and Brandeis. Both teams defeated Case during a road trip earlier this year.
McDonnell, though, has confidence that his team can win and hopes that the team can take advantage of the extra adrenaline provided by the festivities for Senior Night.
"We will need to address what hurt us on that road trip," he said, "but I certainly know that we can win."
