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Boys basketball: Late 3-pointers lift Columbus over Assumption
By Steve Pilz

For the Daily Tribune December 19, 2007

MARSHFIELD -- Matt Iwanski hit two of his six 3-pointers with less than two minutes to play to enable Marshfield Columbus to hold off Wisconsin Assumption 65-59 on Tuesday and stay undefeated and in first place in the South Division of the Marawood Conference.

As was to be expected from two of the conference's elite teams, both squads came out ready to play, with the Dons holding the edge at the end of the first quarter by just four points.

The Dons would lead by as many as nine points, but foul trouble and the inside play of Assumption's Ben Kinzel kept the Royals within striking distance at 36-29 the half.

Kinzel, who finished with 26 points on 11 of 13 shooting, gave the Royals their first lead of the game at 41-40 by sinking two free throws with 3:43 left in the third quarter. That was short-lived as 3-pointers by Brandon De Smet and Iwanski put the Dons back in the lead.

"Trevor (Gorman) and Josh (Hartle) did a good job of breaking the 1-3-1 (zone) when they went to it," said Iwanski, who led the Dons with 22 points, including 6 of 9 from 3-point range. "They found the open shooters and we were able to knock them down today."

Alex Erdman's steal and lay-up pulled the Royals back into a tie at 53-53 with just 2:18 left in the game before Iwanski hit the first of his two fourth quarter 3-pointers. The Royals answered with a lay-up, but Iwanski's final 3-pointer with just more than a minute to go gave the Dons a four-point lead at 59-55.

"We were fortunate to get a win against a good Assumption team," Columbus coach Joe Konieczny said. "I give them credit on how they played us. We hit some huge shots, especially late, and overcame some foul trouble."

"They made some big shots and some free throws at the end," Assumption coach Gary Weisenbeck said. "It was a very good ball game. We've got a couple things to clean up. We've lost to a couple good teams. It's not like we're getting blown out."

Hartle wrapped up the Dons' win going 4 for 4 from the free-throw line in the last minute.

Both teams shot well with the Royals hitting 58 percent (23 of 40) from the field, compared to 53 percent (21 of 40) by the Dons.

Dons 65, Royals 59

Assumption 14 15 14 16 -- 59

Columbus 18 18 10 19 -- 65

ASSUMPTION (59): Ben Kinzel 26, Matt Turba 10, Jared Sigler 2, Shane Hickey 4, Alex Erdmann 11, Elliot Eichinger 6.

COLUMBUS (65): Matt Iwanski 22, Trevor Gorman 11, Josh Hartle 8, Jon Brandt 6, Brandon De Smet 8, Brad Gropp 4, Luke Boehning 6.

3-pointers:Assumption 1 (Erdman); Columbus 9 (Iwanski 6, De Smet 2, Brandt).

Records: Assumption 6-2, 3-1 Marawood South; Columbus 7-0, 5-0 Marawood South.