Warriors lose 52-49 in Overtime Battle to St. Francis

Game #10 • Saturday, December 16, 2006 • Away • Non-Conference • 8:00 PM
Daily Herald Article • Statistics

Wheaton Academy and St. Francis battled back and forth almost evenly for 36 minutes Saturday night. The end result was a 52-49 overtime win for the Spartans.

The Warriors got off to a slow start, but big-man Tim Rusthoven (13 points, 3/5 FTs) got things started, scoring the team's first 6 points. St. Francis held a wavering 2-4 point lead throughout the first half.

In the second half, the game remained even courtesy of contributions from Matt Jones (7 points) and John Albaugh(8 points, 3 assists). The Warriors gained a 45-43 lead for the first time of the game after Benjamin Euler (8 points, 9 rebounds) stole the ball and connected with Albaugh for a left handed reverse layup. With a minute left in regulation, Wheaton Academy had the ball with the score at 47-47, but turned it over. The Warriors thwarted the Spartan's last second execution by alternating between a zone and man defense, running the clock down as St. Francis was unable to get a shot off.

In the overtime period, St. Francis scored a two-pointer with 1:33 remaining to put the home team up 51-49. Wheaton Academy had a good look to respond, but the Spyglass Center's unforgiving rims kept Rusthoven's layup attempt from going in. Regan O'Toole's free throw miss, the second off of a 1-and-1 situation gave Wheaton Academy possession of the ball with 9 seconds remaining, down 52-49. WA was unable to get a reasonable look at a three in the final seconds, ending the game.

Scoring for Wheaton Academy was evenly spread. Euler and Albaugh had 8 points apiece, while Joel Malmquist added 9 points, and Matt Jones 7. Rusthoven had the team high 13 points. On the tight St. Francis rims, WA shot a season low 8-of-18 from the free throw (44%).