Colorado College’s men’s basketball ended their regular season in Texas last weekend. Illnesses and injuries plagued the team as they suffered back-to-back defeats against Trinity University and Schreiner University. The team’s regular season record now stands at 15-10 overall and 10-4 in the SCAC.
First up was Trinity University on Friday. The Tigers were never able to gain the lead in the first half, though they kept close on Trinity’s heels. The score at halftime was 25-29.
About four minutes into the second half, a three-pointer by senior guard Justin Berardino finally put the Tigers in the lead, 34-32. The two teams battled it out with three more three-pointers in less than a minute, ultimately ending with Trinity reclaiming the lead 38-37. At the 6:50 mark, Trinity had a twelve point lead, 57-45. The Tigers refused to give up, chipping away at the lead with free throws by sophomore forward Andrew Maddock and freshman guard Reed Nakakihara. A three-pointer by Nakakihara and two lay ups by Maddock put the Tigers just one point behind Trinty, 56-57, with about two and a half minutes left.
While the Tigers’ defense shut down Trinity’s scoring, the Tigers were unable to connect on their own shots. The Tigers had several opportunities to close the margin, including free throws, but a win just wasn’t in the cards that night. The game ended with a three-pointer attempt by Beradino at the buzzer but the ball didn’t go in.
“The loss at Trinity was definitely a heartbreaker, but I don’t really think it affected the team mentally,” said Head Coach Andy Partee. “The team had been riddled with the flu and the stomach bug all week. So I think they recognized that we were having to overcome more than just a desperate Trinity team.”
Facing unavoidable extra challenges became a theme during the rest of the Tigers’ weekend. Going against Schreiner University, multiple CC players were unable to participate.
“We were down three key players,” said Partee. “We left one senior on campus with the flu. Friday, two key players were injured and could not play Saturday. Chris Martin failed a concussion protocol, and starting point guard Justin Berardino was diagnosed with a mild bone bruise in his knee.”
The unexpected absence of players definitely affected the team’s performance. The Tigers shot their lowest shooting percentage of the season with 32-percent from the floor.
Both teams were slow on shooting in the first half. The lead was passed back and forth in the opening until Schreiner got the lead again and held on. The Tigers trailed close behind and then a last second three-pointer by Nakakihara thrust the Tigers back into the lead, 26-25.
Schreiner scored first in the second half, turning the score 28-26, but the Tigers snatched back the lead with a three-pointer by sophomore guard Eric Houska. The Tigers remained in the lead or tied until the 14:49 mark when Schreiner slipped ahead. The Tigers would never regain the lead. Schreiner steadily expanded their lead, putting the Tigers at a 19-point deficit with just ten seconds left. Senior guard/forward Luke Winfield closed out the scoring with a three-pointer, leaving the final score 62-78.
“It was definitely a rough end,” said senior forward James Lonergan of the two losses. “I think it highlighted some things that we can do better…I think we can work on those things and build upon it.”
When asked about potential areas of improvement for the team, Lonergan said, “Hitting some free throws and really making sure that we’re playing as a team. Get back to the unit, make sure we’re playing as a family, make sure we’re playing as a team.”
Lonergan led the team in shooting in both games with 15 points against Trinity and 17 points against Schreiner.
Despite ending on a couple losses, the team’s record still secured them the second seed and a first-round bye in the upcoming SCAC tournament which will take place Feb. 26-28, hosted by number four seed Centenary College in Shreveport, La.
“Fortunately we have plenty of time to lick our wounds, said Partee. “In the words of sophomore Eric Houska, we have time to reboot.”
Who the Tigers will be facing first in the tournament has yet to be determined, but if all the Tigers are back together, ready and rested, then no matter who the opponent is, a fierce battle by the Tigers can be expected.
“I think we need to handle ourselves and if we do what we can do, I think we’ll win,” said Lonergan. “It pretty much comes down to us, nobody else.”