Bees Fight Their Way To Nationals

Box Score   2/27/05

DAVENPORT, Ia- With the game on the line and the season hanging in the balance Sunday night against William Penn in the MCC Tournament Championship game, there wasn't much doubt about who would get the final shot.  The Fighting Bees turned to senior leader Ryan Johnson, and let him go to work.  Johnson did what he's been doing all season for the Bees, coming through when they needed him most, as he hit a jumper from about ten feet with four seconds remaining putting the Bees up by two.  Penn's Ryan Norman threw up a desperation half court shot that hit off the side of the rim as time expired and Lee Lohman Arena erupted with a 91-89 win by the Bees.

The game wasn't that close the entire way.  SAU (22-12) led by 17 points at halftime and looked like they would run away with the game, going up by as much as 22 early in the second half.  That's when William Penn (20-15) fought back.  The Statesmen went on a 31-9 run in a ten minute span to force a tie with just under nine minutes remaining.  That marked the first tie since the score was 2-2.  William Penn shot 73% from the floor in the second half, while SAU went cold, shooting 39% in the second period.

The Fighting Bees were led by Johnson, who did not want this to be his final collegiate game.  Johnson scored a team high 20 points and grabbed six rebounds, while dishing out five assists in one of the biggest games of his four year career.  The big story though, was the play of the bench.  SAU's bench combined for 31 points in the ball game.  Ricky Mojek scored a season high 14 points, including three big three pointers.  Chris Washington finished with 17, while Ante Juric and Brandin Smith had eleven and ten, respectively.

William Penn's Danny Lund helped fuel the comeback.  Lund recorded a double double, scoring 25 points and thirteen rebounds, while hitting all three of his three pointers.  Jacob Spielbaur scored 23 for the Statesmen, while Brad Nicholson hit four three pointers, which helped him add 22 points off the Penn bench.  Norman finished the game with 14 points and six rebounds.

The win propels SAU into the national tournament for the third consecutive season.  The tourney will once again be held in Branson, MO, and will begin with the first round on March 9th.  SAU's opponent and time is still to be determined.    

Return to the Men's Basketball