Hello everyone,

Due to technical difficulties on the NCAA website my post on December 3^rd was erased.  I, not being prepared, didn't have the entry backed up on my computer, so it will be lost forever.  Hopefully the majority of you got to read it.

What a week it's been for the Pointers!  We are starting to send a message to the rest of the nation as to how good we can really be.  We got off to a great start in the WIAC by upsetting nationally ranked UW-Whitewater and beating UW-Lacrosse at home.

After a disappointing loss at Lawrence on the 3^rd we rallied back against UW-Whitewater.  Not only are they the #2 team in the country, but they are picked to win the WIAC.  We felt we needed to get a jump on everyone else, and we did just that, upsetting the Warhawks 67-64 in overtime.  Our backs were up against the wall as sharpshooting senior Pete Rortvedt was out with a concussion.  I couldn't go as well as I was still battling the stress fracture.  To make matters worse Bryan "Beam Team" Beamish went down in the first half with an MCL sprain.  But boy did our bench step up!  Sophomores Jared Jenkins, Nick Krull, and Vinny Ritchay put in some big minutes and made some nice plays down the stretch.  Jared tied up the game with a lay-up to put it into OT, making the score 59-59.

We never looked back...

Matt Moses started out the extra five minutes with five unanswered points.  Whitewater crept back in it, though, knotting the score at 64-64.  Bryan came back to hit two free throws, hobbling and all to put us up 66-64.  Jared sealed the deal with another charity point to make the final 67-64.

You should've seen our locker room!  Hugs were abounding everyone.  Smiles were beaming across everyone's faces.  Though he probably wouldn't want me telling you, but our coach Bob Semling was brought to tears after the game.  Tears of joy and pride.  He puts his heart and soul into Pointer Basketball, and I don't think he has ever been more proud of a group of guys.

This game has been one of the gutsiest performances I have ever seen out of my teammates.  I'm so glad I was able to be a part of it, and I'm glad our fans were able to see a heck of a game!

Back to reality...

Monday's practice was TOUGH to say the least.  I think Coach Sem feared a let down game might be imminent, so he pushed us pretty hard.  It was one of the hardest practices of the year by far.

The Eagles of LaCrosse came to town on Wednesday night.  It was a back and forth game.  We finally cracked them midway through the second half, finally pulling away with a final of 82-69.  Jared Jenkins and Evan Sweeney were big off the bench, scoring 17 points each.

Have to get going here...finals week.  What a drag!  I will have the recap of the Elmhurst game in a couple days in between tests and studying.

I have to give a quick shout out to Matt Moses.  Matty was WIAC Player of the Week for Nov. 30-Dec. 6.  During the week he amassed 41 points and 15 rebounds.

Until next time...God Bless and Go Pointers!