MASON CITY, IA – The Bay Norse Men's Basketball team (0-2) would fall to the North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) Trojans (1-1) on the second day of the Konigsmark Klassic by a final score of 97-77 on Saturday evening.
The Trojans would lead throughout the matchup and stretch out an early lead. NIACC would create an advantage by rebounding the ball well on the offensive end, creating second chance opportunities for themselves. The host team would lead by as many as 21 points midway through the first half, and looked to be well in control of the matchup early. Bay College would show some fight, and a late run in the opening period would cut the lead to ten. The Norse would feel as though they had the momentum in their favor, as they went to the locker room trailing by a score of 49-39.
NIACC would take that momentum back coming out of the break, extending another and retaking control of the matchup. Ball control statistics would haunt the Norse throughout the matchup as the Trojans would reel in 19 offensive rebounds in the matchup and create 33 Bay College turnovers. Despite the visitors shooting a better percentage for the game, NIACC would overwhelm Bay College with 82 field goal attempts, while the Norse would shoot 57 times. The Norse would show their character late, cutting into a 30+ point lead with a late run, but would eventually fall by a 20-point defecit.
The Norse would shoot 47.4% from the field, including 11 of 21 from behind the three-point arc. Free throws would continue to be a problem in this matchup as Bay would convert just 12 of their 26 attempts from the line.
"Obviously the results this weekend were not what we had hoped for," said Head Coach Matt Johnson, "but I think we will be better because of it. We realized quickly what it takes intensity and discipline-wise to play at this level. We did some things really well tonight, improved from last night, and had some guys step up and give us some great minutes. However, you can't turn the ball over 33 times, give up 19 offensive boards, and shoot 46% from the free throw line and expect to get a win. We have four days to get to work this week and correct those things, I think these guys will respond well. I will be looking for much improved results next weekend in Minnesota."
Logan Hardwick (FR, Rapid River, MI) would come off the bench and lead all scorers with 18 points. Kobi Lumsden-Barnes (SO, Milwaukee, WI) ended up with 15 points and five rebounds, while Reggie Dean (FR, Milwaukee, WI) would add 14 points and six rebounds.
The Trojans' James Harris (FR, Naples, FL) would lead all scorers with 21 points. Orrington Hamilton (SO, Naples, FL) and Deundra Roberson (FR, Columbia Heights, MN) would add 14 points, while Chandler Dean (FR, South Jordan, UT) would contribute 11 points. Wendell Matthews (FR, St. Paul, MN) ended the game with a double-double, scoring 11 points and grabbing 13 rebounds.
The Norse return to action next weekend in Minneapolis, MN. On Friday, November 9 they will face off with United Tribes Technical College at 7 pm. On Saturday the Norse matchup with Bismark State College at 2 pm. Both games will be hosted by Dakota County Technical College.