Cincinnati, Ohio—On Saturday, December 11 the Mount St. Joseph University Men's Basketball program took to the road, to battle Heartland Conference rival, Rose Hulman. The Lions entered this game sitting at an even (3-3) overall this season, while the Fightin Engineers of Rose Hulman put their (5-2) record on the line. The game was neck and neck for the entirety of play, including five total lead changes, before Rose Hulman was able to escape with a 60-56 win.
The Lions got on the board quickly to open the game, as Evan Wiehe knocked down a three-pointer on the opening possession of the afternoon. On the first trip down the court for the Engineers, they were able to get a quick score of their own. In what looked like to be a hot start by both teams, quickly changed into a defensive battle.
After almost 3 minutes without any scoring action, Rose took their first lead of the game, however the Lions were able to quickly respond as Spencer Kinnett was able to drive the lane for a layup. This sprung the momentum to the Lions, as Willard Cluxton was able to come up with a steal, and located Wiehe for a fast-break 3-pointer. With another defensive stop by the Lions, Wiehe went back to work on the offensive end of the floor, drilling his second deep ball in as many attempts. After a pair of buckets by Brady Thomas and David Luers and a transition three from Alex Totten, the Lions found themselves in control of a 18-9 lead.
Just as the Lions had built their lead from behind the arc, the Engineers began to climb their way back into the game with consecutive three-pointers to shorten the Lions lead to 18-15. Around the midway point in the first half of action, Devin Young was able to get his name in the scoring column, after grabbing three consecutive offensive rebound in the same possession. Rose was able to keep pace, scoring on their next two touches to shorten the Lions lead to 20-19.
Coming out of a timeout Young knocked down the first of two free-throw attempts, missing the second and claiming his own rebound and converting on his second attempt effort, to widen the Lions lead back to 23-19. After forcing a Rose Hulman miss Jack Kolar was able to find Young on a fast-break, as the Lions converted on another quick three-point attempt. Later in the action Young was able to find the bottom of the net once again, converting on an easy attempt in the paint.
At the 1:35 mark, Totton came up with a steal and found Luers for an easy fast-break layup. Rose Hulman quickly responded with a layup of their own, sending the Lions into halftime leading 30-29.
The Engineers quickly claimed the first lead change of the second half, knocking down their first attempt to give them the 31-30 lead. On the Lions next trip down the floor Wiehe continued his dominance from behind the arc, putting the Lions back on top 33-31. At this point the Engineers got hot, going on an 8-0 run that lasted roughly five minutes of action.
At the 12:19 mark, Dayne Gardner was able to end the Engineers run converting on an easy layup attempt. This sprung an almost four minute scoring lul for both teams. Rose Hulman was finally able to end this, going on a 6-0 run to widen their lead to double digits for the first time in the contest.
With 7:12 remaining in the game Cluxton was able to locate Totton for another three-pointer. On the next two possessions by the Engineers they were able to convert on a layup attempt followed by a three-pointer, to give them a 50-38 lead. At this point the Lions were able to assemble a run of their own, as Young converted two free-throws, followed by Cluxton coming up with another steal and taking it himself for a fast-break three. After forcing another Rose Hulman miss, Gardner located Young behind the arc to close the Rose Hulman lead to 50-46.
On the ensuing Rose Hulman possession they were able to make good on another three point attempt of their own. Gardner was able to quickly respond converting on a layup attempt. After forcing another stop on defense, Cluxton was able to attack the basket, finishing a layup that brought the Lions to within three. As Rose took possession of the ball, Young came up with another steal that led to Totten finding Wiehe in the paint for another layup. Rose once again responded, assembling a four point run, leading the game 57-52 with 56 second left to play.
At the 0:36 mark Young was able to knock down a jumper to cut the deficit back to three-points. With the Lions fouling in attempts to save perverse clock, Rose knocked down two free-throw attempts. After a Lions miss, Young came up with a steal, taking the ball coast to coast for another layup. Fouling once again Rose Hulman knocked down a final free-throw attempt that put the game just out of reach for the Lions at 60-56
Despite the hard fought loss the Lions saw stand out performances from several players. Young once again turned in a double-double performance, registering a team high 19 points and 10 rebounds and 3 key steals. Wiehe had an impressive game, scoring 14 points on 4-6 shooting from behind the arc. Cluxton was able to do a little bit of everything for the Lions in this contest, scoring 6 points while totaling 2 rebounds, assists and steals.
The Lions will now turn their focus to their next opponent, Bluffton University. This game will be Saturday, December 18 at the Harrington Center, tip-off is set for 3:00 PM. For continued coverage of this upcoming game and all other MSJ Athletics continue to follow msjlions.com
