Waldorf Loses close game to Viterbo
By: Leland March
The Waldorf Men’s basketball team has had a rollercoaster season so far. Ten games are in the books with a record of 3 – 7. Last Monday the season got a little bit tougher as the Warriors lost a close game to Viterbo University of Lacrosse, Wisconsin as the V- Hawks made a late game push to overcome the Warriors.
The Waldorf Warriors started out the game prepared for a dog fight as the first half of the game ended in a close score of 38 – 36 with the V – Hawks ahead by two points. Demetrius Martin led the way in the first half for the Warriors with nine points and two assists. Brady Kuchinka also added 8 points and five assists in the first half. Cade Anderson lead the V-Hawks with 13 points.
In the second half, the Warriors stormed ahead to take a 10 point lead on the Viterbo V-Hawks. Brian Smith was the leading facilitator for the Warriors in the second half as he racked up seven assists, five of which came in the second half of the heated battle between the two teams.
As the Warriors were up on the V-Hawks 61 to 51, the common thread plaguing the Warriors throughout the season reemerged: turnovers.
The Warriors would turn the ball over three consecutive times to allow the Viterbo V-Hawks to make a 12-1 run to give them a one point lead with two minutes left in the game. The Warriors would have their chance to take the lead back, but couldn’t convert on back-to-back possessions which would simultaneously lead to two V-Hawk conversions on the other end of the court.
The V-Hawks would hold on the lead in the last minute of the game with a win of 73 to 69. The V-Hawks shot 56.9 percent from the field. After the game, Warrior head coach Nigel Jenkins deemed that too high of a percentage to let the opposing team convert on.
Demetrius Martin lead the way for the Warriors with 22 points. Brady Kuckinka contributed with 15 points and Brian Smith almost had a near triple double with seven points, eight rebounds and seven assists.
The Warriors look to rebound from the loss against the V-Hawks on Friday when they play Coe College on December 14th in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.