MW MENS BASKETBALL: Cavaliers defeat Bluejays in high-scoring match-up

WORTHINGTON — In a game that featured little defense, Western Tech defeated Minnesota West 107-97 during a Minnesota College Athletic Conference Southern Division men’s basketball game Wednesday night at Worthington High School.

Players on both sides scored at will — so much that of 11 of them (six for Western Tech and five for Minnesota West) reached double figures.

But the night belonged to Cody Krueger, who made 11 of 12 shots from the field, including both of his 3-point attempts and 3 of 5 chances at the free-throw line. He led all scorers with 27 points and his eight assists helped other Cavaliers get involved at the offensive end.

“We didn’t play any defense and we just couldn’t stop (Western Tech),” Minnesota West head coach Justin Heckenlaible said. “Coming in, we knew that they were good shooters. When you give up 107 (points), that’s a tough way to win. We scored 97, and should be enough to win.”

The Blue Jays led 16-10 on a baseline drive from Cody Harris at the 13-minute mark before the Cavaliers used a 9-0 run to take control for the rest of the first half.

Western Tech’s eruption was keyed by back-to-back 3-pointers from Joe Walch, who finished with 16 points on 4 of 6 shooting behind the arc.

The Cavaliers were accurate all night — shooting 58 percent (40 of 69) from the field and 50 percent (11 of 22) from 3-point territory. They added a 76-percent (16 of 21) effort from the foul line.

Minnesota West couldn’t keep pace with Western Tech, which went ahead 29-19 with about 10 minutes left in the first half. The Bluejays made 35 of 80 (44 percent) of their field goals, 9 of 21 (43 percent) of their 3-point shots and 18 of 22 (82 percent) of their free throws.

As the first half came to a close, Minnesota West made a push, outscoring the Cavaliers 26-21 to trim its halftime deficit to 50-45.

Orie Brown (16 points) and Tyler Aquallo (14 points) both struggled to find the basket for the Bluejays, combining to make 10 of 27 (37 percent) of their field goals. But Minnesota West received a 7 of 11 effort from the field from Jackson Seitzinger (16 points), who tied Brown for the team lead in scoring.

The Bluejays were able to gain a 51-50 lead by scoring the first six points of the second half. But the Cavaliers went on a 12-2 run to regain control.

“We had three or four consecutive defensive stops to start the second half, but couldn’t get too many more after that,” Heckenlaible said. “(The Cavaliers) stayed out in front by six to nine points the rest of the game.”

Western Tech coach Erik Wuensch was disappointed with the Cavaliers’ defense, but was happy to receive enough offense to overcome it.

“We shot the ball well from outside and that opened up other chances for us inside,” Wuensch said. “We were able to get great production out of a lot of different guys.”

In addition to Krueger and Walch, the Cavaliers (12-12 overall, 2-6 MCAC Southern Division) had 17 points from Ray Goines, 11 points apiece from Greg Von Ruden and Tony Blass and 10 more from Javaris Flowers.

Mitch Hopkins (15 points) and Harris (14 points) supplied more offensive firepower underneath the basket for the Bluejays. Hopkins made 9 of 11 free throws after drawing Western Tech’s defense upon him. Harris ended up 6 of 12 from the field, mostly scoring with layups.

The Bluejays (11-10, 4-5) travel to play Ridgewater at 3 p.m. Saturday in Willmar.

WESTERN TECH 107,

MINNESOTA WEST 97

WESTERN TECH (12-12, 2-6): Svendson 1-5 0-0 2, Goines 6-14 4-6 17, Von Ruden 4-6 2-2, Brewster 0-1 0-0 0, Flowers 3-10 2-2 10, Kubicek 3-3 2-2 9, Atkinson 2-4 2-2 6, Krueger 11-12 3-5 27, Hardyman 1-1 0-0 2, Walch 4-6 0-0 12, Blass 5-7 1-2 11. Totals: 40-69 (58%) 16-21 (76%) 107.

MINNESOTA WEST (11-10, 4-5): Roddy 2-9 0-0 4, Langdeau 3-5 0-0 8, Williams 0-0 0-0 0, Seitzinger 7-11 0-0 16, Ahlers 0-0 0-0 0, Smith 0-0 0-0 0, Olson 2-3 2-2 6, Brown 5-12 4-5 16, Aquallo 5-15 1-2 14, Hopkins 3-9 9-11 15, Lupton 2-4 0-0 4, Harris 6-12 2-2 14. Totals: 35-80 (44%) 18-22 (82%) 97.

Western Tech 50 57 — 107

Minnesota West 45 52 — 97

3-Point Goals: Western Tech 11-22 (Walch 4-6, Krueger 2-2, Flowers 2-6, Kubicek 1-1, Von Ruden 1-2, Goines 1-4, Svendson 0-1); Minnesota West 9-21 (Aquallo 3-8, Seitzinger 2-2, Langdeau 2-3, Brown 2-4, Harris 0-1, Roddy 0-3). Rebounds: Western Tech 40 (Team 12, Blass 7, Goines 6); Minnesota West 38 (Team 15, Brown 5). Total Fouls (Fouled Out): Western Tech 20 (none); Minnesota West 19 (none). Technical Fouls: None. Assists: Western Tech 24 (Krueger 8, Von Ruden 7); Minnesota West 19 (Roddy 9). Steals: Western Tech 11 (Krueger 3, Kubicek 3); Minnesota West 11 (Seitzinger 3, Aquallo 3). Blocked Shots: Western Tech 1 (Blass); Minnesota West 1 (Aquallo). Turnovers: Western Tech 18, Minnesota West 14.

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