Madison Daily Leader - News - 12/31/2012 - Warriors hold on to upset Bulldogs

12/31/2012

Warriors hold on to upset Bulldogs

By LARRY LEEDS, Sports Editor


	JESSE BROWN goes up for two points late in the game against the Castlewood Warriors on Saturday at the Entringer Scholarship Classic. Brown scored 10 points but it was not enough as Castlewood slipped past Madison 58-56. (Photo by Larry Leeds)

It looked like it was going to be business as usual for the Madison Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon at the 19th annual Boys' Michael J. Entringer Scholarship Classic. The Bulldogs raced to a 14-4 lead after one period against the Castlewood Warriors.

However, the Warriors owned the next three periods, outscoring the Bulldogs 54-42, and earned a 58-56 win.

"This was a tough loss for us," said Madison Coach Mike Ricke. "We got off to a good start, but Castlewood played extremely well and earned the win. They are a well coached team that executed their game plan very well. I give them a lot of credit."

Castlewood found the offense in the second period as the Warriors outscored the Bulldogs 22-11 and held a 26-25 halftime lead.

Both teams traded field goals to start the second half. A three-pointer by Tyler Wiebe and a field goal by Jesse Brown put the Bulldogs on top 32-28.

Castlewood went on a 4-0 spurt to deadlock the game at 32-32. A basket by Wiebe and a three-pointer by Preston Nordling put the Bulldogs up 37-32.

The Warriors ended the third quarter with an 11-2 run and a 43-39 lead.

Madison went on a 12-1 scoring spurt to begin the fourth period and grabbed a 51-44 lead.

The Warriors went on a 9-2 run to deadlock the game at 53-53. Castlewood outscored Madison 5-3 to end the game and get the win.

"I was proud of how our kids kept competing the entire game," said Ricke. "We gave ourselves several chances to tie the game or take the lead in the last 30 seconds, but just couldn't get the ball to go through the hoop for us."

Madison made 22 of 51 field goals, 43 percent, and hit just 5-of-14 free throws, 35 percent.

"We haven't shot very well from the charity stripe all year, but it hasn't hurt us until this game. Shooting 5-of-14 is never good, but in a close game it can mean the difference between winning and losing. This game is an example of that," Ricke said.

Castlewood made 20 of 37 field goals, 54 percent, and made 13 of 21 free throws, 61 percent.

"Castlewood shot the ball extremely well from the field, especially in the second half (68 percent)," Ricke said. "It is tough to beat a team when they are shooting the ball that well."

Madison held the edge on the boards 34-23.

Three Bulldogs hit double figures with Wiebe leading the way with 12 points and nine rebounds. Brown and Jacob Giles each scored 10 points. Brown snared a game-high 11 rebounds. Giles and Braxton Olson each had four assists.

The game's MVP, Castlewood's Gunnar Johnson, scored 18 points to pace the Warriors. Grant Fodness added 16 counters while Lucas Ching chipped in with 13 points and seven rebounds.

"We have some things that we need to work on, but the season is still young and we will get the kinks worked out and continue to get better," said Ricke.

Madison (3-1 overall) will swing back into action on Jan. 7 when the Bulldogs host West Central at the Dakota State Fieldhouse in a Big 8 contest. The tipoff is set for 7:45 p.m.