Men’s Basketball

Category: Men’s Basketball

Siebert pours in 26 points as Vikings top Wisconsin Lutheran

Chris Siebert poured in 26 points to lead the Lawrence University men’s basketball team to a 72-64 nonconference victory over Wisconsin Lutheran College on Friday at Alexander Gymnasium.

Siebert was 10-for-16 from the floor, including 4-for-7 from 3-point range on his way to his career high in points. Siebert also grabbed six rebounds, had four assists, two blocks and two steals.

Davis DeWolfe added 13 points and Conor Klusendorf and Ryan DePouw added 12 points apiece for Lawrence (1-1). Klusendorf also had a team-high nine rebounds.

Alex Merbach had a double-double for Wisconsin Lutheran (1-1) with 28 points and 11 rebounds. Nate Bauer added 14 points for the Warriors.

Lawrence built a 13-point lead in the first half, but Wisconsin Lutheran scored 13 consecutive points to tie the game at 29-29 with 2:42 left in the opening half. Lawrence then scored the half’s final nine points, including a three-point play from Andrew Kline in the closing seconds, to lead 38-29 at the break.

Lawrence led by as many as 13 points in the second half on two occasions, but Wisconsin Lutheran would not let the Vikings pull away. The Warriors cut the lead to six points at 63-57 with 3:39 left.

DePouw answered with a 3-pointer to push the lead back to 66-57, and after a pair of missed 3-pointers, the Warriors fouled DePouw. He hit a pair of free throws with 58 seconds left to give the Vikings a 68-58 lead.

After a free throw by the Warriors, DeWolfe got a fastbreak layup with 35 seconds left to give Lawrence a 70-59 lead and seal the victory.

Lawrence returns to action on Nov. 23 when it travels to Marian University.

Box score

Pointers jump on Lawrence early

STEVENS POINT, Wis. — The No. 24 UW-Stevens Point men’s basketball team jumped out to a big early lead and never looked back en route to an 80-58 nonconference victory over Lawrence University on Tuesday at Quandt Fieldhouse.

Dan Tillema scored a game-high 29 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead the Pointers (1-0). Tyler Tillema added 11 points for Stevens Point.

Davis DeWolfe paced Lawrence (0-1) with 19 points and seven rebounds in his debut with the Vikings. Chris Siebert added 15 points, and freshman Ryan DePouw chipped in with 14 points.

Stevens Point jumped out to a 12-2 lead, all on points by Dan and Tyler Tillema, in the first three minutes. Stevens Point would go on to lead by as many as 19 points in the first half and were up 39-21 at the break.

The Pointers went 16-for-26 (61.5 percent) from the floor in the first half. Lawrence was only 8-for-23 (34.8 percent) in the opening 20 minutes.

Stevens Point would build its lead to as many as 27 points, the last time at 64-37, with 6:56 left. Lawrence trimmed the lead to 64-47, but the Vikings got no closer.

Lawrence returns to action on Friday when it hosts Wisconsin Lutheran.

Box score

Inside LU Athletics: Youthful Vikings looking to do some damage in MWC

The Lawrence University men’s basketball team is a bit of a paradox.

“We’re young but experienced, which is kind of a contradiction,” Lawrence coach Joel DePagter said.

The Vikings have only two seniors, including standout and All-Midwest Conference guard Tyler Crisman, on the roster when they open the season Tuesday at No. 24 UW-Stevens Point. The team is dominated by a group of eight sophomores, and many of them will play key roles in the 2011-12 season.

“We’d be foolish to think we’re not going to miss Jon Mays and Erik Borresen, who were all-conference guys we lost to graduation,” DePagter said. “At the same time, we had such a big freshmen class last year. Those guys, as sophomores, usually take a big step and we expect them to take that step.”

The Vikings will start three sophomores, guards Chris Siebert and Brian Gryszkiewicz and forward David DeWolfe. Siebert started every game last season and averaged 10.9 points, a team-high 4.4 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game. He is clearly poised to be among the league’s elite players.

“I’d be hard-pressed to name another freshman in our conference that was better than Chris Siebert,” DePagter said.

The steady Gryszkiewicz played in every game last season and averaged a modest 1.8 points and 1.8 points and 1.4 assists per game. Gryszkiewicz will be a great counterpoint to Crisman, who averaged 15.4 points per game last season and is one of the top 3-point shooters in the conference

“They are all a little different, which adds a little to everyone,” DePagter said. “Brian is just so tough. Crisman is easily one of the best shooters in the conference, and he’s so gritty. Plus, he just doesn’t think he’s going to miss. Siebert has Player of the Year type ability.”

The Vikings also return valuable backcourt backups in sophomores Tom Antosz and Max Burgess, who proved to be an effective 3-point shooter last season.

DeWolfe, who transferred from St. Norbert, brings needed size to the frontcourt. The 6-foot-7 DeWolfe joins returning starter and junior forward Conor Klusendorf, who averaged 7.7 points and 4.8 rebounds last season. Klusendorf also finished second in the league with 37 blocks.

Also in the mix in the frontcourt is another sophomore, Andrew Kline, who played in all but one game as a freshman. The Vikings also have senior Chris Sims, junior Scott Beauchamp and sophomores Chase Nelson and Adam Breseman.

“Andrew Kline has come back a different person physically. Way bigger, way stronger,” DePagter said. “He has taken a big step and he knew he had to.”

Lawrence also has an intriguing group of newcomers, several of whom could see action this season. Leading the group of guard Ryan DePouw, who led all prep scorers in Wisconsin last season. The Vikings also add more athleticism in junior Tyler Mazur, a football star for the Vikings playing his first year of basketball. Lawrence also gets more size in 6-5 freshman Shane Cullian and another Borresen, Andrew, the younger brother of Erik.

Lawrence was picked to finish eighth in the league in the preseason poll of MWC coaches. DePagter believes the Vikings will be one of a number of teams battling for a spot in the MWC Tournament.

“I have high expectations because we’re Lawrence and that’s what our expectations are,” DePagter said.

“It’s going to a close league from top to bottom. Teams are going to be beating each other all over the place. It’s going to come down to see who can stay healthy.”

Koula earns academic honor

Lawrence University women’s soccer standout Mallory Koula has been chosen for the Capital One Academic All-District 6 Team.

Koula, a senior forward, was a first-team selection.

Koula recently completed a stellar playing career with the Vikings. In three seasons at Lawrence, Koula scored a school-record 63 goals. She also broke the school’s career points record with 142. Koula also ranks sixth with 16 assists. Koula led the Vikings to the 2010 Midwest Conference Tournament title and a berth in the NCAA Division III Tournament. Koula and the Vikings also qualified for the 2011 MWC Tournament.

Koula also is an All-MWC and Academic All-MWC selection. A biochemistry major, Koula has a 3.85 grade point average.

Editor’s Note: Inside LU Athletics is a weekly notes package written by Lawrence University Sports Information Director Joe Vanden Acker. It will feature teams and individual players, recap weekly awards or highlights and take a look at what’s ahead for the Vikings.

Vikings fall to UWGB in exhibition game

GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Lawrence University men’s basketball team dropped an 87-56 decision to the UW-Green Bay in an exhibition game Friday night at the Kress Events Center.

It marked the first time since the start of the 2007-08 season that Lawrence had faced a NCAA Division I opponent in an exhibition game.

UWGB got 10 points apiece from Jarvis Williams, Alec Brown, Terry Johnson and Brennan Cougill. The 7-foot-1 Brown also pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds.

Sophomore guard Chris Siebert poured in  game-high 17 points for the Vikings. Siebert hit 5 of 8 shots from the floor, including 2 of 4 from 3-point range. Siebert also connected on 5 of 6 shots from the foul line.

Max Burgess came off the bench to add nine points, all on 3-pointers, for the Vikings.

The Phoenix used its size inside to dominate the smaller Lawrence lineup. UWGB, which led 44-30 at the half, scored 52 points in the paint.

UWGB limited Lawrence to just 40.4 percent shooting from the floor, including 34.6 percent from beyond the arc. The Phoenix hit on 46.8 percent of its shots from the floor.

Lawrence opens the regular season on Nov. 15 when it travels to traditional power UW-Stevens Point.

Box score

Inside LU Athletics: Vikings take on challenge of Division I opponent

Joel DePagter is looking for history to repeat itself.

The three times the Lawrence University men’s basketball team has opened its season with an exhibition game against a NCAA Division I opponent, the Vikings have gone on to win the Midwest Conference championship that season.

Lawrence opens its 2011-12 campaign with an exhibition game at UW-Green Bay on Nov. 4. The game tips off at 7 p.m. at the Kress Center.

“Hopefully, history repeats itself,” said DePagter, who enters his fifth season as Lawrence’s coach.

This is the second time Lawrence has faced UWGB in an exhibition game. The Phoenix defeated the Vikings 87-62 back in November 2007. Lawrence also has played Wisconsin (2005) and UW-Milwaukee (2004) in exhibition games.

DePagter has known UWGB coach Brian Wardle for a number of years, and the two had talked about having Lawrence face the Phoenix again.

“I said we’d love to have the opportunity, and it’s been a couple of years since we’ve done it,” DePagter said. “We were able to find a date where we could play and they were willing to play us. We thank Green Bay for the opportunity.”

The Vikings are looking forward to stepping into a different atmosphere against a very talented opponent.

“It’s simple,” DePagter said when asked what the Vikings get out of playing a Division I opponent. “The opportunity to play on that stage. It’s a great opportunity for our guys to play in a different kind of arena, experience the D1 world a little bit.

“It can help you. We don’t see the 7-foot guys or the athletes that they are going to have. You see those guys and it make the 6-8 guy from UW-Stevens Point not seem so big. Anything you can do to offer the guys something different is huge. If I can reward them by getting something like this set up, it’s the least I can do.”

And what’s in it for the Phoenix?

“I hope for their sake, because they gave us the opportunity, that we can do some things that will help them. I’d like it to happen again, so if they can get something out of it, the chances of it happening again are higher,” DePagter said.

“They are going to get to see some great motion and have to defend. Between us and St. Norbert, they aren’t going to see any better motion in (the Horizon League).”

To purchase tickets, go to greenbayphoenix.com. The link for tickets is under the Fan Central tab. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for children.

Nobody faster than Koula

Lawrence women’s soccer star Mallory Koula, a senior forward from Kimberly, was named the MWC Offensive Player of the Week after her record-setting scoring outburst against Beloit last Saturday.

It turns out that Koula’s three goals in 42 seconds against the Bucs are the fastest three consecutive goals in NCAA history. No player, male or female in any division, has scored three straight goals faster than Koula. Among the notables that Koula eclipsed was former University of Florida star Abby Wambach, who scored three goals for the Gators in a Division I record 2:02.

Koula, who finished with four goals against Beloit, also broke the Lawrence career scoring record and has 56 goals.

Stevens a winner again

Lawrence cross country star Sam Stevens was named the MWC Performer of the Week for the second time this season after his run at the UW-Oshkosh Brooks Invitational last Saturday.

Running in an elite field, the junior from Suamico finished 47th in 26:02.29, which truly separated him from the conference competition at the meet. Stevens was 51 places ahead of the next runner from the MWC.

Mann takes defensive award

Lawrence men’s soccer standout Charlie Mann was chosen as the MWC Defensive Player of the Week. Mann, a sophomore defender, picked up the award after helping Lawrence to a pair of victories last week.

Playing in the center of the Lawrence defense, Mann spearheaded the defensive effort in a 2-0 win at Ripon last Wednesday. He then shut down Beloit star Jackson Wilkins in Lawrence’s 2-1 overtime victory over the Bucs this past Saturday.

Editor’s Note: Inside LU Athletics is a weekly notes package written by Lawrence University Sports Information Director Joe Vanden Acker. It will feature teams and individual players, recap weekly awards or highlights and take a look at what’s ahead for the Vikings.

Student-athletes receive awards at Honors Day

Twelve Lawrence University student-athletes were recently honored at the 2011 Honors Celebration.

The awards and winners are as follows.

The Ruth Bateman Award is given for excellence in scholarship, athletic ability and leadership by a female athlete. Senior Sarah Ehlinger (Wauwatosa, Wis./Divine Savior Holy Angels) was a star on the women’s soccer squad for four years. A four-time All-Midwest Conference selection, Ehlinger ranks second in Lawrence history with 99 points and 38 assists and third with 23 goals. An Academic All-MWC selection, Ehlinger has a 3.92 grade point average and was an Academic All-District 5 selection.

The Iden Charles Champion Cup is given for excellence in scholarship, athletic ability, college spirit and loyalty. Senior Robert Rashid (Evanston, Ill./Evanston Township) was a four-year starter for the baseball team and an All-MWC and All-Central Region selection in the outfield. Among the nation’s leaders in stolen bases as a junior, Rashid hit .341 for his career. Rashid is a math major with a 3.4 grade point average and is an Academic All-MWC selection.

The Outstanding Freshman Athletic Award for Men is given the freshman man who has made the most outstanding contribution to Lawrence athletics. Luke Barthelmess (Dow, Ill./Principia) and William Thoren (Gothenburg, Sweden/Katrinelundsgymnasiet) shared the award.

Barthlemess was a starter in both football and baseball. As a quarterback on the gridiron, Barthelmess completed 91 of 168 passes for 1,044 yards and six touchdowns. He also rushed 52 times for 151 yards and caught three passes for 49 yards and a score. The starting rightfielder on the baseball team, Barthelmess hit .258 on the season. Thoren was an All-Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association selection at defenseman. Also named to the MCHA All-Freshmen Team, Thoren had four goals and a team-high 16 assists for 20 points on the season.

The Outstanding Freshman Athletic Award for Women is given to the freshman woman who has made the most outstanding contribution to Lawrence athletics. Swimmer Hannah Gabriel (Elmhurst, Ill./York) won the 200-yard freestyle at the Midwest Conference Championships and set Lawrence and MWC Championships records in the process. She also took second in the 1,650 freestyle and second in the 500 freestyle. Gabriel also won a title at the Wisconsin Private College Championships and was named a MWC Swimmer of the Week.

The Ralph V. Landis Award was established by the Lettermen of Lawrence in honor of Dr. Landis, physician to Lawrence students from 1926-78, and is awarded for outstanding contributions to Lawrence athletics by a senior male athlete. Senior defenseman Jon Sheridan (Midland, Mich./Dow) was the hockey team captain and a member of the MCHA All-Academic Team. Sheridan also was chosen for the 2011 MCHA Harris Cup Team. Sheridan twice earned MCHA Defensive Player of the Week honors and also was chosen as the MCHA Player of the Week.

The Charles E. Pond Award for Men is given for all-around athletic ability by a senior man in two or more sports and for sportsmanship, school spirit and scholarship. Jon Mays (Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson) starred in both basketball and golf for the Vikings. A team captain in both sports, Mays was an All-MWC selection in basketball and led the basketball squad to two conference championships and a pair of NCAA Division III Tournament appearances.

The Charles E. Pond Award for Women is given for all-around athletic ability by a senior woman in two or more sports and for sportsmanship, school spirit, and scholarship. Annie Sullivan (Whitefish Bay, Wis./Whitefish Bay) earned 12 letters during her time at Lawrence, four apiece in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track. Sullivan was one of the Vikings’ top distance runners throughout her career in both cross country and track.

The Marion Read Award is given for outstanding contributions to Lawrence athletics. Women’s soccer star Mallory Koula (Appleton, Wis./Kimberly) piled up 19 goals and finished with 42 points this past season and led the Vikings to the MWC Tournament title and a berth in the NCAA Division III Tournament. An All-MWC selection in each of her two seasons at Lawrence, she led the league in points, points per game, goals and goals per game in 2010. Also a stellar student, Koula sports a 3.94 grade point average in biochemistry and is a member of the Academic All-MWC Team.

The Letterwinner Award is presented by the L Club to those outstanding seniors who have earned eight or more letters. The winners are:

Jon Mays (Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson), basketball and golf;

Dan Moeller (Decorah, Iowa/Decorah), cross country and track and field;

Jesse Peterson (Monroe, Wis./Monroe), football and track and field;

Matt Eddy (South Deerfield, Mass./Deerfield Academy), cross country and track and field;

Annie Sullivan (Whitefish Bay, Wis./Whitefish Bay), cross country and track and field.

Winter season athletes honored for academic achievement

Thirty-four Lawrence University winter season student-athletes have been named to the Academic All-Midwest Conference team.

To be eligible for the team, a student must be at least a sophomore and have a minimum 3.2 grade point average.

The women’s swimming team led the way among Lawrence student-athletes with 12 selections.

Men’s basketball

Scott Beauchamp, sophomore, St. Paul, Minn., undecided

Erik Borresen, senior, West Bend, Wis., government

Conor Klusendorf, sophomore, Chicago, Ill., psychology

Men’s swimming

Peter Brengel, junior, Milwaukee, Wis., government

David Dulak, junior, Red Wing, Minn., biochemistry/Spanish

Cory Greguske, senior, Germantown, Wis., biology

Nick Johnson, senior, Rockford, Ill., biology/Spanish

Marc Pawlus, junior, Bartlett, Ill., government/economics

Caleb Stellmach, sophomore, St. Cloud, Minn., philosophy

Women’s swimming

Sarah Bostrom, senior, Bloomington, Minn., biochemistry/psychology

Jenna Budde, junior, Roscoe, Ill., psychology

Aisha Eiger, junior, Montclair, N.J., anthropology

Yagmur Esemen, sophomore, Taskinkoy, Nicosia, Cyprus, biology

Kelsey Gray, senior, West Lafayette, Ind., physics

Julia Heller, sophomore, Daly City, Calif., English/studio art

Molly Ingram, junior, Topeka, Kan., economics/anthropology

Skylar Kogelschatz, senior, Mount Pleasant, S.C., government

Katie Nelson, junior, Vienna, Va., art

Sarah Robinson, senior, Luxemburg, Wis., music

Sam Schilsky, sophomore, Pleasantville, N.Y., biology

Alicia Tape, sophomore, St. Louis, Mo., music performance

Men’s indoor track

Cam Blegen, junior, Whitefish Bay, Wis., biology

Tom Coben, junior, St. Paul, Minn., environmental science

Stan Jablonski, junior, River Hills, Wis., biology

Dan Moeller, senior, Decorah, Iowa, government

Jesse Peterson, senior, Monroe, Wis., psychology

Sam Stevens, sophomore, Suamico, Wis., biology

David Zane, senior, San Rafael, Calif., anthropology

Women’s indoor track

Amanda Dwyer, sophomore, Ralston, Neb., environmental science/biology

Kristina Reimer, junior, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, biology

Anne Sullivan, senior, Whitefish Bay, Wis., psychology

Rose Tepper, sophomore, Mount Vernon, Iowa, psychology

Rachel Young, junior, Minneapolis, Minn., Spanish/Chinese

Lin Zhao, junior, Tianjin, China, biology