Fighting Bees Rebound, Literally

"EFFORT!"  That word made all the difference for the No. 19 St. Ambrose Fighting Bees (5-3) in their victory over St. Xavier Cougars(7-2) by the final score of 101-98.  Leading the way with a career high 34 points was point guard Matt Fitzpatrick.  Fitzpatrick also dished out seven assists on a night where he shot 67% from the field while nailing 15 of 18 free throws.  

It seemed as if the Cougars couldn't miss in the first half (62.1% shooting) but the Fighting Bees jumped out to a ten point halftime lead on their 64.5% shooting.  The Cougars would scamper back in the second half and even had a chance to tie the game at the end of regulation.  

Despite the Fighting Bees leading 101-94 with 00:16 to go in the game, it seemed as if all the Fighting Bees would have to do is run the clock out.  That was not the case.  After Jason Geering sank his second of two free throws to give the Fighting Bees their 101-94 lead, the Cougars' Jamon Dorsey missed a three pointer with 00:11 left and Fighting Bees forward Tom Pavljasevic came away with the rebound.

Pavljasevic tried to push the ball up the court, but his pass was intercepted  by Mark Telander who hit a three pointer with 00:03 to go and the Fighting Bees clinging to a 101-97 lead.  It was not over, however.  A Karl Petersen offensive foul before the ball was inbounded put Michael Rojas at the line to shoot two as the Cougars were in the double bonus.  

Rojas would make the first and intentionally miss the second.  After a scramble for the rebound, the ball ended up out of bounds, with 00:01 showing on the game clock.  The referees conferred and decided that the ball was last touched by the Fighting Bees.  The ball was inbounded to Rick Romeli, who missed a 30 ft. prayer at the buzzer.

The Fighting Bees would come away with a hard fought victory and head coach Ray Shovlain was pleased with his teams, "Effort.  That's what today's victory came down to, we had to extra effort needed to win."

Also in double figures for the Fighting Bees were Pavljasevic, Ryan Johnson and Freddy Lofombo.  Pavljasevic added 17 points and six rebounds on the day.  Johnson and Lofombo combined for 21 points, Johnson came away with 11 and Lofombo with ten.  

The Cougars did have four players in double figures, but it wasn't enough to stop the Fighting Bees.  Leading the Cougars was Rojas, who shot 11 of 13 from the field on his way to his 30 point performance.  He also grabbed four rebounds.

Telander wasn't too far behind with 26 points, Phillip Watson added 18 points and four boards and Jeremy Holmes came away with 12 points and three assists.

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