BELOIT, WI – In a contest defined by physical play and defensive pressure, the Beloit College Buccaneers displayed flashes of brilliance this afternoon at Flood Arena. Although the Cornell College Rams (3-14,2-6 MWC) walked away with an 83-53 victory, the Buccaneers (5-13,0-9 MWC) commanded the paint and the points off turnover battles.
Guard Anthony Carter (Greenfield, Wis.) was the heartbeat of the Buccaneers' offense. Logging a team-high 32 minutes, Carter showcased his versatility by leading Beloit with 12 points, while also contributing four rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Carter's ability to disrupt the passing lanes and push the pace in transition kept the Buccaneers within striking distance for much of the afternoon.
Joining him in the effort was Thomas Glenn (Waukesha, Wis.), who provided a spark both in the paint and from the perimeter. Glenn finished with 7 points and 4 rebounds, but his impact was felt most during Beloit's most significant momentum shift of the game.
The defining moment for the Buccaneers occurred in the closing minutes of the first half. Trailing 38-24 with just over a minute remaining, the Buccaneers refused to let the game slip away.
Beloit's defense tightened, forcing Cornell into a series of difficult shots. After a successful trip to the free-throw line by Semaj Roy, the Buccaneers found themselves with the ball in the final seconds. In a thrilling sequence, Carter found Glenn on a fast break, and Glenn buried a deep three-pointer just before the buzzer sounded. This 7-1 run sent the Flood Arena crowd into a frenzy and cut the deficit to just eight points (39-31) heading into the locker room.
The Buccaneers' perimeter game was bolstered by Owen Geiger (Fort Atkinson, Wis.) and Will Schubert (Fox Lake, Ill.), who both knocked down a pair of three-pointers. Geiger's early triple at the 16:54 mark of the first half was crucial in keeping Cornell from mounting an early blowout, while Schubert's 6 points off the bench provided much-needed offensive depth.
Dae'Quan Davis (Chicago, Ill.) also contributed 6 points and a block, demonstrating the Buccaneers' commitment to rim protection and aggressive play in the paint.
The second half saw Cornell find their rhythm from the field, but the Buccaneers continued to fight. Beloit's bench outscored their season average, with contributions from Semaj Roy (Chicago, Ill.) (4 points) and Musa Samba (Madison, Wis.) (2 points). Despite the offensive dry spells that hindered their comeback attempt, Beloit remained disciplined at the charity stripe, finishing the game with a stellar 83.3% from the free-throw line.
The Buccaneers have a quick turnaround before hosting the fast-paced Grinnell Pioneers on Tuesday. Tip off from Flood Arena is set for 5:30 pm.
