Saints Swat Fighting Bees

By: Ryan Holtmann, Sports Information

November 27, 2002    12:16 a.m.

“Defense and rebounding is what wins championships, and we didn’t do a great job of that tonight in the key parts of the game,” head coach Ray Shovlain said after the No. 19 St. Ambrose Fighting Bees (4-2) lost to the No. 16 St. Francis Saints by the final score of 82-71.  The Fighting Bees got solid efforts offensively from numerous players, but it wasn’t enough to stop the hot shooting Saints. 

The Fighting Bees were led by a 20-point, seven rebound effort by Tom Pavljasevic.  Pavljasevic was 8 of 16 from the field.  Following Pavljasevic was the “Big Lad,” Karl Petersen.  Petersen finished with 13 points and six rebounds as well as two steals and two blocks.

The Fighting Bees came out like they were going to jump on top of the Saints and never look back, leading by as many as seven, 19-12 with exactly ten minutes remaining in the game.  The Saints fought back though to gain a 33-29 lead at halftime.

The Saints used their 64.5% second half shooting to eventually put the Fighting Bees away.  Despite being down by as many as 11 in the second half, the Fighting Bees fought back to within six with 10:48 to go.  But the Saints would go on an 8-0 run to put the Fighting Bees away for good. 

Matt Fitzpatrick and Brett Jacobs combined for 15 points.  Fitzpatrick had seven of those points while contributing five assists and grabbing two steals.  Jacobs came away with eight points, four rebounds and three assists.

Curtis Clark “did nothing but got beat up,” did lead the team in rebounding with eight while only contributing six points.  Jason Geering had a strong performance of the bench adding eight points and two assists. 

The Saints scoring attack combined three players adding 21, 20, and 11 points.  Those players, Nick Cardone, Bob St. Ledger, and Jon Womack, respectively, worked together to keep the Fighting Bees on their heels.  Cardone also came away with four rebounds.  St. Ledger also had four rebounds, but also came away with a game high seven steals.  Womack had six rebounds on the night.

The Fighting Bees return home this weekend to host the Pepsi Challenge.  Games on Friday are 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

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