Defense and Second-Half Surge Leads Men's Basketball to Championship Win
Nov 17, 2014
WAUKESHA, Wis. - For the second game in a row, the University of Dubuque men's basketball team pulled away in the second half of a competitive game to win the Johnson Bank Tip-Off Classic Championship, 51-33, over Carroll University.
Andre Norris and Jacob Mohlis were key cogs in the four-team championship after being selected to the All-Tournament team. Norris filled up the box score to the tune of 37 points, 19 rebounds, four blocks, and six steals in two games. Mohlis tallied 23 points and five rebounds with 17 of his points coming in 79-69 win against Concordia (Wis.) last night.
After building a six-point lead going into halftime, 25-19, the Spartans (2-0) left Carroll behind with a quick 10-point run to start the second half. A pair of three-pointers by Mohlis and Tanner Cooke, along with a dunk by Gage Heffernan fueled the streak and gave the Spartans a 16-point lead. Carroll (1-1) never threatened for the remainder of the game and failed to get closer than 14 points.
The low-scoring affair was attributed to the defenses who forced a sub-par first half shooting performance for UD (28.6%) and Carroll (25.0%). The Spartans would continue to fluster the Carroll attack and allowed just 14 points in the second half. They piled on the lead after converting 23 Pioneer turnovers into 27 Spartan points. Carroll managed only seven points despite forcing 16 UD turnovers.
Norris got the job done on both ends of the floor with a game-high 18 points and nine rebounds, nearly racking up his second consecutive double-double to start the season. He also went 10-for-10 from the line, posted two blocks, and recorded three steals. Heffernan backed him up with 12 points and six rebounds of his own.
The Spartans enter their second of three tournaments to start the season when they trek to St. Paul, Minn. for the Nov. 21-22 Northwestern ACR Homes Tip-Off Classic. There they will face North Central University (Minn.) (0-1) on Nov. 21st at 4 p.m. and host University of Northwestern - St. Paul (0-1) on Nov. 22nd at 7 p.m.
Box Score
