Men’s basketball falls to Beloit

Amanda Ollerer

The men’s basketball team faced Beloit College last weekend in a season-determining match. A win for the Vikings would keep their MWC Tournament hopes alive. Sadly, Lawrence was defeated 76-72.

Senior Tyler Crisman dropped 29 points to lead the Vikings, while junior Tyler Mazur added 11 points, and sophomore Chris Siebert added 10. The game was close at halftime with our Vikings down by five. With a little more than 16 minutes left in the game, Beloit had a 12-point lead at 47-35. The Vikings retaliated with eight straight points, but Beloit went on a 10-2 run to take a 61-45 lead with a little less than ten minutes left in the game.

In this back and forth game, the Vikings responded with a 13-3 run. Freshman Ryan DePouw, sophomore Max Burgess and Mazur all made three-pointers during this run, and junior Conor Klusendorf and Mazur took the ball to the hoop with incredible dunks to bring Lawrence within six. Following this scoring streak, Mazur hit two more three-pointers that brought the Vikings within two points with three minutes remaining and the score 70-68.

With two and a half minutes left to go, Crisman was fouled and brought to the line. He made the first shot, but Beloit rebounded the second and brought it back for two points. Then, with a minute left, Crisman was fouled on a made shot. He sank in the free throw for a three-point play that brought the Vikings within four.

Sophomore Brian Gryszkiewicz, with 31 seconds left, forced Beloit to turn over the ball and another appearance for Crisman at the free throw line. Sadly, Crisman could not convert on the play, and the Vikings lost a 76-72 heartbreaker.

When asked about the game, Burgess commented, “Well, it was a tough loss, especially since it was a game we should have won. In our next game we want to play with pride and send our seniors off the right way.” The loss over Beloit ended Lawrence’s chances of entering the conference tournament. They cannot dwell on the past; all they can do is hope to do is finish the season on a good note.

Come out Saturday, Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. and support the seniors, as well as the rest of the team, at their final game of the season.