After a hard-fought season, Colorado College men’s basketball season came to an end last Friday night in Texas after the first round of the SCAC postseason tournament against University of Dallas. The boys stepped up their level of play for this tournament but were unable to come away with the win. Having lost by only three points, with a final score of 50-47 Dallas, it was a close game, and the Tigers had many opportunities to tie the game and even force overtime.
“We expected to play defensive like we did, but we didn’t hit the shots on offense like we usually do,” Assistant Coach Wes Kosel said. “Even with a poor shooting night, we had two chances at the end of the game to tie it. The shots just didn’t go in…”
Regardless of the outcome, though, the level of play was still impressive, and the energy at the tournament was very exciting. “At the end of the year tournament, every team definitely comes to play too,” said junior Captain James Lonergan. “The stands were packed, everyone was excited to be there, and each team put everything they had on the line.”
According to Kosel, the level of play at the SCAC tournament goes up a notch compared to the regular season. “All of the teams know that if they can win the tournament, they get to go to the NCAA Tournament,” Kosel said. “With that on the line, the energy level of the players, coaches, and fans goes way up.”
Some of the highlights from the game, according to Kosel, include well-executed defensive plays and holding Dallas to 38.8 percent shooting. “Other highlights from the weekend include Chris Lesnansky being named First-Team All SCAC. Also, Russell Clark, Justin Berardino, and Luke Winfield received honorable mention for the All-SCAC team,” Kosel said.
Freshman guard Bobby Roth agrees that Lesnansky provided highlights of the tournament. “[His] and-one at the end of the second half was huge and put us in reach of tying the game and potentially forcing overtime,” said Roth.
Despite these highlights, the team was feeling down after Friday’s loss. “It was tough on our guys, especially the seniors,” Kosel said. “For the four seniors, that is the last time they get to take the court as basketball players. For the rest of our team, hopefully that feeling of losing in the first round will motivate them for next season.”
Looking back at the game now, Lonergan says there are lessons to be learned that will hopefully help the team improve next year. “Unfortunately we did not win, but all of us really fought hard,” Lonergan said. “I am really proud of how hard each individual tried this weekend.”
For now, the team finally gets a break. They will be able to relax and spend time with their families over spring break. However, during the spring and summer the players will work on improving their individual games, according to Kosel. The coaching staff will work on locking up the 2015 recruiting class and identifying juniors for the 2016 recruiting class. According to Roth, it’s time for the team to hit the weight room and prepare for another run at the SCAC tournament title next year.