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Cougars track down No. 1 upset in home opener

Tues., Nov. 12, 2002

USF 89, Cornerstone 77
    FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Defense finished the job started by the University of Saint Francis offense in an 89-77 upset over NAIA Division II Preseason No. 1 Cornerstone at Hutzell Athletic Center on Tuesday night.

   The unranked Cougars (2-3) snapped a three-game losing streak knocking off a No. 1 team for the first time since 1996-97 in Coach Jeff Rekeweg’s first year directing USF.

    “Cornerstone was shooting 39 percent from three-point range and we limited them to 27 percent,” Rekeweg said. “And they shot 44 percent when they came in shooting 52 percent, so I’ve got to be pleased with our defense.”

    Cornerstone (3-1, Grand Rapids, Mich.) got as close as four, 79-75 on Bryan Edwards’ three-point play with 2:57 to play in the second half. But Nick Ankenbruck (Fort Wayne / Homestead) bounced a perfect pass to Chase Holden (Hamilton / Hamilton) who drop-stepped in for the easy two-pointer off the glass. USF led 81-75 with 1:59 to play and the Golden Eagles managed just a pair of free throws in the time remaining.

   CU forced USF to the line three times in the last minute and senior Jontae James (South Bend / LaSalle) connected on four free throws and Ankenbruck two to finish the upset.
   "A number of my friends asked if we could hang with the No. 1 team and I told them if we play like we're capable of play, we could," Holden said. "On that play, Nick gave me a real nice play and read the defense. . . my man overplayed me, so all I had to do was catch, drop step and score.
   "The play I felt that we were going to win was when John (Gensic) took a charge. That wiped out their basket and we came down and made free throws."
    Gensic said he wasn't worried about the play even though he had four fouls.
   "It was a big risk with four fouls, but I could tell he was out of control," Gensic said. "No, I wasn't worried about what would be called. I knew I was set."
    Junior guard Keith Roddy (Fort Wayne / Concordia) led the balanced USF scoring with 14 points, one of five Cougars in double figures in the home opener at HAC. James hit 7-of-8 free throws for the game and finished with 13 points along with seven assists and just one turnover. John Gensic (Albion / Bishop Dwenger) scored 11 of his 12 points in the first half and Ankenbruck and freshman Dusty Beucler (Churubusco / Churubusco) added 10 points apiece.
    The Cougars hit 58 percent (15 of 26 shots) in the second half and outrebounded the Golden Eagles 40-28. Jeremy Rice (Westfield / Westfield) led USF with four boards. After hitting 50 percent (13 of 26) in the first half, CU shot 39 percent (10 of 26) in the second half and made 23 of 52 shots for the game.
    "This was a nice way to break that losing streak," Roddy said as he quietly sat in a chair on the USF sideline. "Our execution and overall determination made the difference. We looked at this game like we don't care if they are No. 1 or not, we're not going to get beat on our home court."
    Maybe it was the trip to Kentucky last Friday and Saturday. Some growing pains?
    "We did some growing up at Georgetown and Campbellsville," James said. "Having been in a tight game against Campbellsville, I knew I had to keep my poise tonight. I really wasn't too nervous, even when the got to within 79-75."

   Bryan Foltice led CU scoring with 19 points and Edwards added 18.

-- GO USF --
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