AUBURN HILLS, MI - The Bay College Norse Men's Basketball Team (3-9) has had some rough games on the road against some top teams this season. And playing against nationally-ranked teams has left the Norse with a poor overall record, but Coach Matt Johnson says that these games will make them tougher, and Friday night, that was evident as the Norse pulled out a tough 84-81 win over Oakland Community College (4-2).

Matt Wagner (SO, Marinette, WI) hit a career-high 35 points and a school record nine three-pointers as the Norse won for the first time this season on the road.

"It was big for me," Wagner said. "I've been struggling all year shooting. It's no secret. My coaches have really challenged me, and my teammates have really been on me, saying 'you gotta keep shooting, and shoot with confidence'. So all of my thanks goes to them. They've given me the confidence to keep shooting the ball even when I haven't been shooting the best."

"His first half, in particular, was incredible," Johnson said. "I don't know that we've had a kid do that in a game, in a half, since we've been here as a program. Heck of an effort. I mean, some of those shots were deep. Some of them had a hand in his face. That's what happens when you're a good shooter and you start feeling good about yourself."

Wagner hit seven triples in the first half as the Norse took a 40-35 lead into the dressing room. Ashton Janke (FR, Dollar Bay, MI), Tyler Sundling (FR, Rapid River, MI), and Cal Raymond (FR, Gibraltar, MI) also hit three-pointers in the first half.

The game was tight all the way through the second half, and the Raiders took their first lead of the game at 58-56 when Kendall Perkins (SO, Oak Park, MI) scored twice and Camron Williamson (SO, Farmington Hills, MI) slammed one home. But Bay got a boost from Didier Ngambo (FR, Detroit, MI), who swatted away a shot at one end, came back the other way, and scored after driving down the middle of the lane to tie the game.

The Norse then regained the lead as Wagner hit his eighth triple as the shot clock expired, and then after a Raider basket, Joe Gibbs (SO, Gladstone, MI) got an offensive rebound, put it back in, and hit the "and-one" free throw to give Bay a 64-60 lead with 10:05 left.

Chris Dobessi (SO, Detroit, MI), playing less than an hour from his hometown, got his second slam dunk of the second half to give Bay a 68-60 lead. Gibbs also contributed a slam dunk off a sweet pass from Savion Gray on the baseline. 

The Raiders had a response, though, with Michael Pena (SO, Pontiac, MI) scoring all ten of his points in the second half, and taking a one-point lead in the final minute.

Dobessi drove the lane and scored off the rim to make it 80-79 with 38 second to play, then it was Wagner stepping up on defense, taking the charge as Perkins drove the middle of the lane and lowered his shoulder into Wagner's chest with 28.1 seconds left.

The Raiders were forced to foul because of the dead shot clock, and Dobessi calmly sank both shots with 20.9 seconds to play, making it 82-79. Pena scored with 11.1 seconds left to bring the Raiders within one again, but they had to foul again, and Wagner sank both of them to make it 84-81.

Oakland Coach Antoine Joubert, who played at the University of Michigan from 1983-1987 and played overseas for more than a decade, set up a play with 3.3 seconds left. But they couldn't get off a good shot, and the Raiders, who had defeated two nationally-ranked teams this season, suffered a three-point loss.

Wagner made 9 of 12 three-pointers and all four of his free throws. 

Dobessi backed up Wagner's 35 points by adding 19 points for the Norse.

"Total team effort," Johnson said. "I'm incredibly proud of the guys. That's a really good basketball team that we just beat. That's, by far, our best win of the year."

Perkins led Oakland (4-2) with 18 points. Donnaal Conway (FR, Flint, MI) added 16, Denzekiel Briscoe (FR, Mt. Morris, MI) scored 13, and Pena chipped in a dozen.

The Norse will continue the road trip by heading to Glenn Oaks Community College on Saturday afternoon.  The game is set for a 2 pm tipoff.

Story and picture courtesy of Jack Hall, RRN Sports.