Tom Sawatzke and Scott Theisen Named to All-MIAC Team

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The dynamic duo of seniors Tom Sawatzke (Monticello, Minn/Monticello) and Scott Theisen (Champlin, Minn./ Champlin Park) were tabbed to the 2012-13 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) Men’s Basketball All-Conference Team. This is Sawatzke’s second straight year a member of the All-MIAC team, making him the 28th player in the history of Carleton men’s basketball to be a repeat all-conference selection. Sawatzke and Theisen both joined Carleton’s 1,000-point club this season, becoming the 26th and 27th members respectively. The seniors capped off their careers in a big way, leading the Knights back to the MIAC Playoffs.

http://apps.carleton.edu/athletics/varsity_sports/mens_basketball/?story_id=971349

Five MIAC Award Winners

Congratulations to Ebo Nana-Kweson

Martinson capped off his record-setting senior by being named the MIAC Sixth Man-of-the-Year and was one of three starters to earn All-Conference honors. Aaron Lindahl and Ebo Nana-Kweson also were placed on the MIAC All-Conference Team while Dewon McKenzie earned All-Defensive Team and All-Conference Honorable Mention honors and Brandon Fisher was the team's representative on the All-MIAC Sportsmanship Team.

 

http://concordiamn.prestosports.com/sports/mbkb/2012-13/releases/201302275cg5zw



Memorial Magic Fizzles Out

  Ebo Nana-Kweson

MOORHEAD, Minn. (2/22/13)—They say that all good things must come to an end and that is what happened to the 2013 Memorial Magic as Concordia shot just 20.0% (5-for-25) from 3-point range and lost 74-67 to Augsburg in the semifinals of the MIAC playoffs.

 

http://concordiamn.prestosports.com/sports/mbkb/2012-13/releases/20130223kmbkdx

Knights Knocked Out of MIAC Playoffs Despite 31 Points by Scott Theisen

 

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Senior Scott Theisen (Champlin, Minn/Champlin Park) was sensational. The versatile wing’s career-high tying 31 points helped the Carleton College men’s basketball team nearly knock off the nationally No. 1-ranked University of St. Thomas in the semifinals of the MIAC Playoffs. Theisen’s stellar performance, the highest post-season point total by a Knight in at least 15 years, was not enough, though, as St. Thomas used a late run to snap a tie and advance to the conference championship game by a score of 70-57.

http://apps.carleton.edu/athletics/varsity_sports/mens_basketball/schedule_and_results/?story_id=969466&event_id=968106

Thiesen Selected to National Team-of-the-Week

 

NORTHFIELD, Minn. – Following a pair of strong all-around performances last week, senior Scott Theisen (Champlin, Minn./Champlin Park) was named to the D3hoops.com national team-of-the-week.
Theisen averaged 19.0 points, 8.0 assists, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.5 steals in the Knights’ two contests, shooting 60 percent from the field, including 4-of-8 from beyond the arc. This is the second time this season he was tabbed to five-player squad, having received the honor for his performances from Dec. 10-16, 2012.

Batting foul trouble during last Wednesday’s game versus Gustavus, Theisen still managed to stuff the stat sheet to the tune of 13 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists.
Due to tiebreakers, the Knights needed a win in Saturday’s regular-season finale vs. Hamline to earn a spot in the playoffs, and Theisen again delivered. He poured in a game-high 25 points and added 9 assists with 6 rebounds and 7 steals—tied for the highest total in the MIAC over the last four seasons. It was his 14th career 20+point effort (ninth this season) and tied for the third-highest point total of his career.

Zimmerman Awarded MIAC Athlete of the Week

 

The Bethel men's basketball team won its final two regular-season games last week to finish on a strong note and secure a spot in the 2012-13 MIAC Men's Basketball Playoffs. Junior Kyle Zimmerman (Champlin, Minn./Champlin Park) continued his sensational play down the stretch, as the forward averaged 20.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.0 blocks per game while shooting 66.7 percent from the floor in the Royals' two wins last week. For his performance, Zimmerman was named the MIAC Men's Basketball Athlete-of-the-Week.

http://athletics.bethel.edu/news/2013/2/19/MBB_0219130426.aspx

Seniors Celebrate In Regular-Season Finale

MOORHEAD, Minn. (2/16/13)—The six Cobber seniors celebrated their day by continuing Memorial Magic and coming away with a 69-62 win over Gustavus in the regular season finale.

Concordia's senior class combined to score 56 of the team's 69 points as they won their 10^th straight game inside the friendly confines of Memorial Auditorium. CC capped off the best regular season since the 1995-96 campaign by upping their overall record to 18-7 overall and finishes off conference play with a 15-5 record. Both totals are the most since 1995-96.

Once again the recipe for Concordia's seventh straight overall win was a little inside and a healthy dose of outside. The Cobbers outrebounded the Gusties 38-31, including 14 offensive boards, and knocked down seven 3-point shots. The recipe for success was especially evident in the second half where CC repeatedly got second-chance points of off offensive rebounds and drained key shots from outside the arc during an 8-0 run midway through the final period.

Concordia wound up shooting 42.9% (24-for-56) from the floor and 46.7% (7-for-15) from outside the arc for the game. CC was also 14-for-19 from the free throw line. Gustavus down fall was their cold outside shooting touch. The Gusties did not hit on a shot from outside the arc in the first half and went 2-for-8 from 3-point range in the final 15 minutes of play.

The Cobbers had three players score in double figures for the game. Ebo Nana-Kweson and Andrew Martinson both had 13 points for the game. Nana-Kweson also had four rebounds and six assists while Martinson scored in double figures for the 11^th time in the last 12 games. Point guard Dewon McKenzie had another solid all-around game. He scored 11 points and came away with three steals and three rebounds.
http://concordiamn.prestosports.com/sports/mbkb/2012-13/releases/20130217ymtc9g

Seniors Lead Knights Past Hamline and Into MIAC Playoffs

 

NORTHFIELD, Minn. -- On Senior Day at West Gym, the three members of the class of 2013 made sure it would not be their final home game. Scott Theisen (Champlin, Minn./Champlin Park) finished with 25 points, nine assists, six rebounds, and career-high seven steals as the Carleton College men’s basketball team secure the No. 4 seed in the MIAC Playoffs with a 75-59 win over Hamline University. Classmate Tom Sawatzke (Monticello, Minn./Monticello) added 13 points and three steals, while senior Tyler Goetz (Chaska, Minn./Chaska) dished out five of the team’s 24 assists on this day.

http://apps.carleton.edu/athletics/varsity_sports/mens_basketball/schedule_and_results/?story_id=959262&event_id=852112

Men's Basketball Comes Up Short Against Nationally Ranked Mount Mercy

La Crosse, Wis. – For the second straight game, the Viterbo University men's basketball team came up just short against a nationally ranked opponent as the V-Hawks fell to #10 Mount Mercy University 69-63.

The V-Hawks got off to a fast start tonight as they built an early 9-2 lead in the first 2 ½ minutes. Junior Jasper Dubbery (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) scored seven of the first nine points for the V-Hawks. After a Mount Mercy timeout, the Mustangs would respond with a 17-5 run to take a 19-14 lead (6:11). Redshirt sophomore Alex Diciaula (Brookfield, Wis.) stopped the run with a three-pointer but that would be as close as the V-Hawks would get the rest of the half as Mount Mercy led 31-26 at the break. Junior Cole Lewis (Prairie du Chien, Wis.) led the V-Hawks in the opening period with nine points.
http://www.viterboathletics.com/article/879.php

Big Second Half Leads Men's Basketball Past St. Ambrose

La Crosse, Wis. – The Viterbo University men's basketball team opened the second half of tonight's Midwest Collegiate Conference game against St. Ambrose University with a 20-4 run to help pull away and secure a 75-55 victory.

Leading 28-27 at halftime, Viterbo came out in the second half on a mission to take control of the contest. Junior Jasper Duberry (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) scored nine of his 13 points to help spark the fast start to the second half. St. Ambrose would slowly chip away at the deficit and pulled within 59-50 with 4:45 left on the clock but Viterbo would with stand the run. The V-Hawks would out score the Fighting Bees 16-5 over the final 4:32 to seal the win. Viterbo would hit 12 of 14 free throws in the final stretch.

 

http://www.viterboathletics.com/article/869.php

Zimmerman Awarded 2012-13 CoSIDA Academic All-District

Congratulation Kyle Zimmermann

 

 

ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—The 2012-13 Capital One Academic All-District Men's Basketball Teams, selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America, have been released to recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances athletically and in the classroom.

Included on this short list of competitors is junior forward Kyle Zimmerman (Champlin, Minn.), as he was selected as one of six players among the NCAA Division III District 6 Region (Minn., Mich., Wis.). Zimmerman is the fifth Bethel student-athlete to be recognized bot CoSIDA as a Academic All-District recipient this school year.

 

http://athletics.bethel.edu/news/2013/1/31/MBB_0131134736.aspx

Big Plays Down the Streth Leads Men's Basketball Past Iowa Wesleyan College



La Crosse, Wis. – The Viterbo University men's basketball team stepped up and made big plays when they were needed to defeat Iowa Wesleyan College 74-70.
Trailing 65-64 with just over four minutes left in regulation, Jordan Laufenberg (Jr./So. – Sparta, Wis.) hit his second three-pointer of the game to give the V-Hawks the lead which they never gave back. Viterbo would get another three pointer from Alex Diciaula (Jr./So. – Brookfield, Wis.) to give them a 70-65 lead with 1:34 to go. After the Tigers hit two free throws to pull within three (70-67, 00:28), Matt Turba (Sr./Jr. – Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.) was able to break away for a full court inbounds pass to make a lay-up on back to back possessions to help secure the 74-70 victory.
The first half was much like the second half in that it was a back and forth affair. After Viterbo took a 16-10 lead with 13:40 left in the opening period, Iowa Wesleyan College used a 15-4 run to take a 25-20 lead (8:58). Viterbo would then score the next ten points including a three-pointer from Jasper Duberry (Jr. – Brooklyn Park, Minn.) and Laufenberg to give the V-Hawks a 30-25 lead. The Tigers would then outscore the V-Hawks 15-9 to lead 40-39 at the break.

http://www.viterboathletics.com/article/860.php

Down Goes No.1!

CONGRATS EBO NANA-KWESON

MOORHEAD, Minn. (1/21/13)—Jason Huus scored the final seven points in Concordia's improbable 54-52 upset win over No.1-ranked St. Thomas on Monday. Huus finished with nine points, 11 rebounds and four blocks to propel the Cobbers to its biggest win in program history.

Video of the final 2.8 seconds and victory celebration

 "It was the greatest moment of my life – by far," responded Huus on the huge home win.

The win is the first in program history over a No.1-ranked team and snaps a two-game losing streak. It also keeps the Cobbers in the thick of the conference playoff race. Concordia is now 11-6 overall and 8-4 in league play and in sole possession of third place in the MIAC standings.

The 52 points scored by the Tommies is the fewest by a UST team since the 2009-10 season – a stretch that covers 93 games.

Postgame audio interview with head coach Rich Glas

http://concordiamn.prestosports.com/sports/mbkb/2012-13/releases/20130122h6tezh

Solid All-Around Game Leads Men's Basketball Past AIB College

 



La Crosse, Wis. – Solid all-around games by juniors Matt Turba (Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.) and Cole Lewis (Prairie du Chien, Wis.) helped lead Viterbo University to a 62-48 Midwest Collegiate Conference win over AIB College.

The two teams played a back and forth first half as the game was tied (24-24) with three minutes left in the opening period. However, the V-Hawks scored the final seven points of the opening half including a three-pointer by Jordan Laufenberg (Jr./So. – Sparta, Wis.) with six second left to lead 31-24 at the break. Jasper Duberry (Jr. – Brooklyn Park, Minn.) scored seven of his ten points in the opening period to lead Viterbo.

http://www.viterboathletics.com/article/851.php

Laufenberg Hits Three-Pointer to Lift Viterbo Past Clarke

 

La Crosse, Wis. – Redshirt sophomore Jordan Laufenberg (Sparta, Wis.) hit a three-pointer with 2.6 seconds left in regulation to help lift Viterbo University to a 60-57 win over Clarke University in their Midwest Collegiate Conference opener.

Trailing 57-55, Viterbo University got a big basket from Cole Lewis (Jr. – Prairie du Chien, Wis.) to tie the game at 57 with 34 seconds left on the clock. The Viterbo defense would then tighten the screws and forced Clarke into a turnover with 9 seconds left. After a Viterbo timeout, the V-Hawks would inbound the ball to Matt Turba (Sr./Jr. – Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.) who found Laufenberg for the go ahead three-pointer. Both teams would then take a timeout to set-up the final 2.6 seconds. Clarke would throw an inbounds pass the length of the court but it was Laufenberg who would intercept the pass and seal the win for the V-Hawks.

Clarke scored the first six points of the game and eventually took a 16-10 lead with just over 12 minutes left in the first half. Laufenberg would then score seven straight points to help Viterbo take a 19-16 lead. Clarke would take a five point lead twice over the final five minutes of the first half but it was Viterbo who scored 9 of the final 11 points to lead 33-31 at the break. Junior Jasper Duberry (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) scored 12 of his season high 16 points in the opening half to lead the V-Hawks.

http://www.viterboathletics.com/article/839.php

Cobbers Bring The Heat In Successful Second Half

NORTHFIELD, Minn. (1/02/13)—Concordia turned a 34-34 tie game at halftime into a 15-point victory at St. Olaf on Wednesday. The Cobbers scored 51 points in the second half to post an 85-70 win over the Oles.

The win is the third straight for Concordia and fourth in the past six games. The Cobbers are now 6-4 in all games and 3-2 in conference play. St. Olaf, who shot just 22.2% (2-for-9) from 3-point range in the final period, has now lost four consecutive games and falls to 3-6 overall and 2-2 in conference play.

"The difference in the second half was our defensive pressure," commented senior Brandon Fisher. "We had six or seven stops in a row at one point and that helped us get on a big run."

Click here for a video clip of Dewon McKenzie with the pretty pass to Fisher for the hoop and harm

The Cobbers trailed 36-35 at the start of the second half, then traded baskets with the Oles to take a 44-42 lead with 13:45 to play before going on a 10-0 run to take command of the game. During that game-changing stretch, the Cobbers forced two turnovers and only allowed St. Olaf to get off one field goal attempt.

Fisher led all players in scoring as he scored 19 points in the second half and finished with a season-high 23 points. He was 8-for-11 from the floor and 4-for-6 from outside the arc. It marked the third straight game that Fisher has recorded at least 15 points. He is averaging 20.0 points per game in the last three games after averaging only 4.43 points in the team's first seven games of the year.

Fisher credited his sudden turnaround to more of a mental change than a technical adjustment. "I am just not thinking about missing a shot," said Fisher. "We are doing more shooting in practice and I think that confidence has carried over to the games."

Fisher's offensive outburst has mirrored Concordia's overall point production. The Cobbers have scored scored at least 78 points in three straight games after only hitting that mark three times in the first seven games of the year. CC is now averaging 77.1 points per game and is third in the league in that statistical category.

Ebo Nana-Kweson recorded his third 20-point game of the season. He went 5-for-6 from floor in the second half, put up 12 points in the final 20 minutes of play and finished with 21. Nana-Kweson also came away with game-highs in rebounds (8) and assists (4).
Cobber point guard Dewon McKenzie added 11 points, collected five rebounds and had two assists.

Concordia will now return home to host the next two games. The Cobbers will square off against Macalester on Saturday, Jan. 5 at 3 p.m. and then face St. Mary's on Monday, Jan. 7 at 5 p.m.

Heat Duberry Win Championship

Coaching Jasper Duberry's 14U Minnesota Heat team, we win the ___ tournament held at Eden Prairie High School.

 

Just Wright

Click here for previews: Just Wright

TNL Takes 4th Place !

Once the dust setlled and the 36 teams had battled it out ... the Express have a great showing and finish 4th.

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Student imposter arrested in Texas

ODESSA, Texas (AP) -- A West Texas student who led his high school basketball team to the state playoffs last season was actually a 22-year-old man, police said Tuesday.

Police say the basketball star was really Guerdwich Montimere, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Haiti who school officials say was recognized last month by Florida coaches as having been a star high school player in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., a few years ago.

Click here to read the entire article.