2008 Woodie Awards
PUC drops a close one, 80-74
By: Jeremy Homan
Issue date: 12/4/06 Section: Sports
The Peregrine men's basketball team traveled to Fort Wayne Saturday afternoon to compete against Indiana Tech. After winning their last two contests, the Peregrines looked to make it three in a row but failed to do so dropping a close one 80-74.
Early in the game the Peregrines held a 5-2 lead. Things looked good, but quickly took a turn for the worst.
The Tech defense forced turnovers and their offense took care of business. Four minutes into the game, Indiana Tech went on a 9-0 run to grasp the lead by six and didn't look back the entire half.
After the run, Head Coach Mike James called a timeout in an attempt to calm the Peregrines down. PUC stayed close, but at one point Indiana Tech jumped to a double-digit lead.
Junior guard Steve Polak, who has been a key player for the Peregrines all season, had foul trouble early which forced him to sit.
The Peregrines had trouble overcoming Indiana Tech's press defense.
"They did some things that are hard to simulate in practice," said James.
Sophomore forward Charles Cruz continued to be an impact player, keeping his team in the game until the end. Cruz was the leading scorer for the Peregrines with 21 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Junior forward Vince Johnson stepped up his game, scoring 16.
The Peregrines, who have been shooting well from the 3-point arc, only shot 19 percent during the game.
"We settled for some jump shots when I think we could have attacked the basket," said James.
The Peregrines tied it down the stretch, but Indiana Tech kept ahead for a close win, 80-74.
"We fought hard," said Cruz. "The game could have went either way."
Early in the game the Peregrines held a 5-2 lead. Things looked good, but quickly took a turn for the worst.
The Tech defense forced turnovers and their offense took care of business. Four minutes into the game, Indiana Tech went on a 9-0 run to grasp the lead by six and didn't look back the entire half.
After the run, Head Coach Mike James called a timeout in an attempt to calm the Peregrines down. PUC stayed close, but at one point Indiana Tech jumped to a double-digit lead.
Junior guard Steve Polak, who has been a key player for the Peregrines all season, had foul trouble early which forced him to sit.
The Peregrines had trouble overcoming Indiana Tech's press defense.
"They did some things that are hard to simulate in practice," said James.
Sophomore forward Charles Cruz continued to be an impact player, keeping his team in the game until the end. Cruz was the leading scorer for the Peregrines with 21 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Junior forward Vince Johnson stepped up his game, scoring 16.
The Peregrines, who have been shooting well from the 3-point arc, only shot 19 percent during the game.
"We settled for some jump shots when I think we could have attacked the basket," said James.
The Peregrines tied it down the stretch, but Indiana Tech kept ahead for a close win, 80-74.
"We fought hard," said Cruz. "The game could have went either way."
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