FLINT, MI - The Bay College Norse Men's Basketball Team (24-6, 12-2 MCCAA) had its season come to an abrupt end Thursday evening as they lost to the Marian University-Ancilla Chargers (23-9, 10-4 MCCAA) by a score of 83-69 in the NJCAA Region 12 semifinals at Flint's Ballenger Fieldhouse. The Norse end their season on the court of Mott Community College for a third straight year, coming up short in the quest for the program's first-ever appearance in the national tournament.
"We just didn't have it tonight," a dejected Bay College Coach Matt Johnson said. "We didn't play well at all. Credit to them. They played with more energy. They wanted it more. They found a way to beat us. They kicked our butts. Pain and simple. They beat us in a lot of ways."
The first half saw both teams struggle to get their footing offensively, with Bay holding a 30-29 lead at halftime. The Norse actually got off to a decent start, taking a 15-10 lead into the second media timeout after a Joe Ofori (SO, Shakopee, MN) basket in the paint and three hoops by fellow sophomore Nic Williams (SO, La Crosse, WI).
The Norse also struggled with turnovers, though, turning it over seven times and allowing the Chargers five offensive rebounds for 12 extra possessions. Luckily for the Norse, Ancilla did not cash in early. But the Chargers sure did in the second half.
Bay held Ancilla's top scorer, Jordan Woods (FR, Hammond, IN), in check in the first half, allowing him to score just two points. But Woods torched the Norse in the second half with his drives to the basket, to the tune of 20 points. He also grabbed 13 rebounds and dished out six assists. Woods' teammate, Matt King (FR, Gary, IN), matched him with 22 points, and the Ancilla ball movement routinely beat the Norse to the baseline for lay-up.
Still, the Norse were close throughout the second half even though they just couldn't string together any long runs to take control.
The Chargers started the second half on a 10-3 run to take a 39-33 lead, and then after a pair of King free throws, it was 43-36. Ryan Sweeney (SO, Green Bay, WI) had a burst for the Norse, nailing a triple, plus a driving "and-one" hoop that brought Bay to within 47-44 halfway through the second half.
Woods went on a personal eight-point scoring streak to put the Norse in a 64-55 hole with 6:44 left in the game. Bay was able to close to within 66-62 shortly thereafter, but just couldn't make that final push down the stretch to get over the hump. Then it was a lay-up fest for the Chargers, who will face Oakland Community College in the regional final Saturday afternoon.
Oakland lost to Hocking College in the earlier semifinal on Thursday, but Hocking had to forfeit late Thursday night for using an ineligible player.
Nic Williams led the Norse with a game-high 23 points. Sweeney had 15 points and seven rebounds, and Ofori scored 13 points and grabbed six rebounds.
"Sophomores who worked incredibly hard for two years," Johnson said. "Won us a lot of games, played really well, and represented Bay College in a very positive light, both on and off the floor. To come out and end this way is disappointing to say the least."
"We got no production off our bench," Johnson continued. "We scored eight points off the bench. Our sophomores who we expect to be great most of the time just were not great tonight, and that's going to eat at them for a long time. I feel terrible for them. Mental toughness stuff that we've talked about all season. We didn't have it tonight. They were more mentally tough than we were and fought a little harder."
Story and photo courtesy of Jack Hall, RRN Sports