GALESBURG, IL – In a high-octane offensive showcase at Memorial Gym this afternoon, the Beloit College men's basketball team displayed remarkable grit and a "next man up" mentality, eventually falling to Knox College 86-74. Despite the final score, the Buccaneers (5-17,0-13 MWC) proved they possess the depth and interior toughness to compete with anyone in the conference.
The story of the game for Beloit was the overwhelming production from their second unit. The Buccaneers' bench outscored the Prairie Fire (9-12,5-7 MWC) reserves by a staggering 46-20 margin.
Leading the way was Lathan Lewis (Rockford, Ill.), who turned in a stellar performance. Lewis was nearly perfect from the floor, shooting 6-of-9 to finish with a team-high 15 points while leading the Buccaneers on the glass with 7 rebounds. Joining him in the double-digit column was Will Schubert (Fox Lake, Ill.), who also notched 15 points, showcasing his versatility by hitting from deep and drawing fouls to get to the charity stripe five times.
Semaj Roy (Chicago, Ill.) provided a vital spark as well, contributing 11 points in 23 minutes of action. The Buccaneers also saw a strong interior presence from Owen Geiger (Fort Atkinson, Wis.), who finished with 8 points and 6 rebounds, including a crucial pair of three-pointers that kept Beloit within striking distance during the first half.
Beloit wasted no time making their presence felt. Early in the contest, the Buccaneers clawed their way to a 4-point lead at the 17:08 mark, signaling to the Galesburg crowd that they were prepared for a dogfight.
After Knox managed to build a double-digit cushion midway through the half, Beloit orchestrated the game's most significant momentum shift. Sparked by aggressive play in the paint, the Buccaneers ignited a 9-0 scoring run. This clinical stretch of basketball, which culminated at the 10:49 mark, saw Beloit trim the deficit to a single point at 12-11, forcing Knox to rethink their defensive strategy.
Throughout the afternoon, Beloit's "blue-collar" approach was evident. They dominated the glass on the offensive end, racking up 19 second-chance points compared to Knox's 12. Their willingness to attack the heart of the defense resulted in 40 points in the paint proving that the Buccaneers could find success against Knox's length.
While the lead changed hands four times and the score was tied on six different occasions, Knox's efficient shooting ultimately allowed them to pull away. However, Beloit refused to go quietly. The Buccaneers forced 13 turnovers and stayed aggressive until the final buzzer, with Austin Walker (Princeville, Ill.) adding 8 points and Anthony Carter (Greenfield, Wis.) facilitating the offense with poise.
The Buccaneers don't return to the hardwood until next Saturday. They head to Mt. Vernon, Iowa to face off against the Cornell College Rams. Tip off from the Small Athletic and Wellness Center is set for 1 pm.
