| 01/30/2013 |
| Bulldogs hang on for 11th win, edge Lennox 53-47 |
| By LARRY LEEDS, Sports Editor |
The Madison Bulldogs built a 34-26 halftime lead and held on for a 53-47 win over the Lennox Orioles on Tuesday night in a Big 8 Conference clash at Lennox.
"I was extremely pleased with how we played in the first half," Madison Coach Mike Ricke said. "I thought we really did a good job of making Lennox play our game. We really ran the floor well and finished at the rim." Neither team lit up the scoreboard in the third period as Madison scored nine points and Orioles scored only six points. The Bulldogs held a 43-32 advantage heading into the final eight minutes. "Lennox really tried to slow the game down in the second half and limit our possessions," Ricke said. "I didn't think that we responded as well as we should have. We started trying to force the issue and had too many turnovers (11) in the second half." Madison made 23 of 44 field goals, 52 percent, and connected on 4-of-7 free throws, 57 percent. Lennox made 18 of 39 field goals, 46 percent, and 5-of-7 from the charity stripe, 71 percent. The Bulldogs outrebounded Lennox 23-17. Preston Nordling scored 13 points to pace the Bulldogs. "Preston led us in scoring for the second straight game," Ricke said. "He really gives us a spark off the bench with his energy and intensity. When he gets on a roll, he's tough to stop." Trae VandeBerg and Jesse Brown had 11 and 10 points, respectively, for the Bulldogs. Jacob Giles snared seven rebounds and Braxton Olson had five assists for the winners. "Jacob led the team in rebounding," Ricke said. "We need someone to pick up the rebounding that we lose with Tyler Wiebe out, and it was nice to see Jacob step it up in that department." Alex Lane had 16 points and six rebounds to pace the Orioles. Tyler Harms added 11 counters. Madison (11-1 overall and 5-0 in Big 8 play) will swing back into action on Thursday. The Bulldogs will go to Hartford to face the West Central Trojans in a Big 8 battle at 7:45 p.m.
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