2008 Woodie Awards
Rangers upset Crusaders in stunning comeback win
Courtney Muller
Issue date: 2/22/08 Section: Sports
The Drew University men's basketball team suffered a 58-48 loss to the Juniata College Eagles Saturday night in the Baldwin Gym when they couldn't come back from a tough first half. The Rangers had a solid defense in the first half, but scored just 28.8 percent from the field, with five out of 23 attempts.
After just 13 minutes of play, Juniata was up 13 points, but guard Joe Horvath ('11) gave the Rangers some hope with a three. Guard Mike Mayes ('11) was the only one making progress offensively with seven points of his own, half the total his team made in the first half. The Rangers' defensive line allowed just eight more points to Eagles in the last 10 minutes of the first half.
The second half was much better for the Rangers, who seemed to be struck with a burst of energy and ready to make a comeback. The Eagles' lead was cut down to 5 just 1:30 into the second. Guard Chris Lopez ('08) knocked away two free-throws and a jumper and sent the ball to forward David Cramer ('08). Mayes scored a fast lay-up and the Eagles lead was cut to just 4 with 17:30 left. David Thompson was one of Juniata's big shooters of the night, as he brought the Eagles' lead back to 7 points with a jumper and a free-throw. David Pepperman shot back with a jump hook and Mayes added another two points to this to make the lead just 3. Jeff Berkely got a 3-pointer along with another from Brian Cannon, and the Eagles were up 37-26 with 11 minutes left.
Pepperman made another nice play with a field goal, but the Eagles quickly made the lead 13 with less than 10 left. Lopez's free-throws cut the lead to 9 and he got an additional 3-pointer with 4:24 left to make it 8. Thompson answered back with a 3-pointer and for the next two minutes of play, neither team was able to score. Kyle Opitz got a 3-pointer, which made the lead 14 with 1:37 left, and even with lay-ups from Horvath and Mayes the Rangers couldn't touch the Eagles. Despite the loss, Lopez impressively achieved the Rangers' career top 10 for rebounds.
After just 13 minutes of play, Juniata was up 13 points, but guard Joe Horvath ('11) gave the Rangers some hope with a three. Guard Mike Mayes ('11) was the only one making progress offensively with seven points of his own, half the total his team made in the first half. The Rangers' defensive line allowed just eight more points to Eagles in the last 10 minutes of the first half.
The second half was much better for the Rangers, who seemed to be struck with a burst of energy and ready to make a comeback. The Eagles' lead was cut down to 5 just 1:30 into the second. Guard Chris Lopez ('08) knocked away two free-throws and a jumper and sent the ball to forward David Cramer ('08). Mayes scored a fast lay-up and the Eagles lead was cut to just 4 with 17:30 left. David Thompson was one of Juniata's big shooters of the night, as he brought the Eagles' lead back to 7 points with a jumper and a free-throw. David Pepperman shot back with a jump hook and Mayes added another two points to this to make the lead just 3. Jeff Berkely got a 3-pointer along with another from Brian Cannon, and the Eagles were up 37-26 with 11 minutes left.
Pepperman made another nice play with a field goal, but the Eagles quickly made the lead 13 with less than 10 left. Lopez's free-throws cut the lead to 9 and he got an additional 3-pointer with 4:24 left to make it 8. Thompson answered back with a 3-pointer and for the next two minutes of play, neither team was able to score. Kyle Opitz got a 3-pointer, which made the lead 14 with 1:37 left, and even with lay-ups from Horvath and Mayes the Rangers couldn't touch the Eagles. Despite the loss, Lopez impressively achieved the Rangers' career top 10 for rebounds.
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