(Milwaukee, WI) - Waubonsee Community College gave fourth-ranked Milwaukee Area (WI) Technical College (MATC) all it could handle and more. However, in the end the Stormers (8-1) prevailed 88-78 in overtime to knock off the Chiefs in a match-up between two of the top men's basketball teams in the NJCAA's Region IV. The Chiefs (6-2) nearly overcame a wide disparity in fouls and a poor performance from the foul line to pick up the road win, played in Alverno College's Reiman Gymnasium. For the game the Stormers connected on 25 of 39 foul shots, while the Chiefs made just 12 of 22 attempts. Four Chiefs' players fouled out and a fifth, 6'10" starting center Brice Langford, played only 16 minutes due to foul trouble. The intense game, which featured a handful of controversial calls, also ended with a strange technical foul call against the Chiefs.
Waubonsee got on the scoreboard first when Cooper Larsen scored on an inside shot barely 15 seconds into the contest. For the next three minutes neither team could score until MATC's Mason Johnson tied the game with a running one-hander off the glass. Joey Niesman then scored three straight baskets to give the Chiefs' an 8-2 lead. The defensive battle continued as Waubonsee held a 12-5 lead after eight minutes of action, holding the Stormers high-scoring offense in check. Highlighted by a three-point play by Jaylyn Kelley, the Chiefs grabbed a 20-9 lead 12 minutes into the game. The Stormers, whom had averaged 103 points over their previous four wins, finally started to get on track over the final minutes of the half. A one-handed slam by Johnson in transition seemed to give them a spark as they clawed their way back into the game. A two-handed, tip-slam by Johnson off of a missed shot got the Stormers within three at 25-22 with four minutes to go until the intermission. An offensive rebound and put back basket by Ka'jon Smith put the Chiefs in front 29-24, but MATC responded again and tied the game at 29 on a 10-foot jumper by Johnson. The Stormers closed out the half on a 7-0 run, scoring in the final half minute to take their first lead of the game at 31-29 heading into the locker room.
The second half started just as the first had with Larsen scoring on an inside basket for Waubonsee. MATC led by six points before a trey by Niesman cut the deficit in half at 39-36. The Stormers gradually built a 54-45 lead, their largest up to that point, before Waubonsee rallied. Traevon Brown nailed a long three-pointer, Colton Schutt made a pair of free throws, and Cam Russell took an offensive charge to spark the Chiefs. Niesman then made a left-handed shot off the backboard and Schutt scored over the 6'6" Johnson to tie the game at 58 with 6:15 to go. MATC's Jaylin Scott connected for a three-pointer before Langford answered for Waubonsee, making his first triple of the season from the top of the key. A put back basket by Russell at the 4:45 mark gave the Chiefs their first lead of the second half at 63-61. The teams traded baskets over the next couple of minutes with Schutt nailing a three-pointer from the right corner, and Brown scoring on a left-handed drive to the basket. Another basket by Brown, an eight foot pull up jumper, gave the Chiefs a 71-67 lead with 1:40 remaining. A minute later the Stormers were in position to tie the game, but Niesman rejected an inside shot to keep Waubonsee in front with 0:50 left. Unfortunately it was short lived as Scott made a pair of free throws to tie the game at 71. Waubonsee misfired on their next possession with MATC grabbing the rebound and calling timeout with 0:17 to go. However, the Stormers were unable to get off a potential game-winning shot before the buzzer sounded, sending the game into overtime.
The teams traded baskets early in the extra period before the Stormers pulled ahead from the foul line. A put back basket by Johnson after three offensive rebounds gave MATC a 78-75 lead with 2:50 remaining. Shortly thereafter Larsen made just one of two free throws to make it 78-76. A steal and fast break opportunity by Russell ended with plenty of contact near the rim, no call and the Stormers in possession of the ball. A pair of free throws and a three-point play by Johnson with 1:30 to go made it 83-76 and seemed to seal the outcome as both Larsen and Brown fouled out. The Stormers made five more free throws down the stretch to push their lead to 10 points. MATC had the final possession and ran the clock out to end the game. However, as the Stormers celebrated and the Chiefs began to leave the floor, an official declared the game was not over and requested that 0:00.3 be put back on the scoreboard. Waubonsee was quickly assessed a technical foul when they did not immediately return to the bench. The game then finished with a missed technical foul shot by MATC and a meaningless inbounds by the Chiefs.
Niesman led Waubonsee with 17 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three blocks. Larsen finished with a double-double before fouling out, booking 13 points and snagging 10 boards. Brown added a dozen points and two steals before he fouled out as well. Schutt chipped in with eight points and seven rebounds before also fouling out. Anthony Thompson tallied eight points and grabbed five boards, and Langford corraled six rebounds despite being sidelined more than half of the game with foul trouble. Johnson paced the Stormers with 21 points and 12 rebounds, while Scott led all scorers with 24 points by making 11 of 12 free throw attempts.
Waubonsee, which received votes in the top-30 of the latest NJCAA Division II national poll, plays again this coming Thursday, December 2. The Chiefs are set to host Kishwaukee College beginning at 7:30 p.m. in Erickson Hall.