March 5, 2015 at 12:26 p.m.
Pointer boys close regular season 22-0
With its 63 to 44 SWAL victory over Southwestern Friday night, the team became the first in school history to record back-to-back undefeated regular seasons. The Pointers hold a perfect 22-0 record on the year.
Southwestern made the Pointers work for the win, however, as the home team held a slim 12-10 lead at the end of the first quarter, had stretched it to 26-22 at the half and 45-38 at the end of three before a big fourth quarter distanced the Pointers.
"I was really pleased with our effort tonight," said Pointer coach Dan Burreson. "Southwestern played well, but I thought we responded. They hit shots, especially in the first half, but we just stayed true to who we are. I thought we moved the ball really well in the second half and were able to create some things with our defense."
The Wildcats were led by Ezra Vaassen with 14, Bruno Onyeukwu with 11, and Dustin Slaats with 10.
Sy Staver led all scorers with his 21 point performance. He was joined in double digits by Tarek Oellerich with 16, Alec Schmitz with 11, and Turner Poad added 10.
"Great balance again tonight with four guys in double figures," added Burreson. "These guys really share the ball well. Sy had six assists, Alec five and Joey four. Great night by Joey on the boards as well with a team leading eight. Jordan Kittleson continues to give us great minutes off the bench."
It was also Senior Night for the Pointers as they honored Joey Gorgen, Kittleson, Oellerich, Hunter Paradis, Poad, Taylor Ryman, Schmitz, and Staver.
"In this conference, and with the non-conference schedule we play which included three conference champions, to go undefeated during the regular season in back-to-back seasons speaks volumes about these guys and their work ethic. They had to be ready to play every night because we always get everyone's best effort, and they were. Back-to-back conference titles in our league with quality teams and players top to bottom is something very special. Now we get ready for the postseason," concluded the coach.
Mineral Point received the #1 seed in the WIAA Division 4 regional and a first round bye. The Pointers will host the winner of #4 Lancaster/#5 Iowa-Grant Friday, March 6 at 7 pm in the regional semifinal. The winner of that game will advance to the regional final to be held Saturday, March 7 with the highest remaining seed hosting. The #2 seed is Darlington and #3 is Cuba City.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
SW: 10-12-16-6--44
MP: 12-14-19-18--63
BOX SCORE
SOUTHWESTERN (fg-ft-tp) 44: Vaassen 3-5/8-14, B. Onyeukwu 4-0-11, Slaats 5-0/1-10, D. Onyeukwu 1-0-2, Ku. Tranel 1-1/1-3. Totals: 16-6/11-44. Fouls: 10. Three pointers: B. Onyeukwu 3, Vaassen 3.
MINERAL POINT 63: Staver 8-2/4-21, Kittleson 1-0-2, Gorgen 1-0-3, Oellerich 6-3/5-16, Poad 4-0-10, Schmitz 4-0-11. Totals: 24-5/9-63. Fouls: 12. Three pointers: Schmitz 3, Staver 3, Poad 2, Gorgen 1, Oellerich 1.
