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Posted February 5, 2008

Royals trap ColumbusSurrounded by Marsfield Columbus defenders, Assumption's Ben Kinzel attempts a layup Monday in Wisconsin Rapids.
By Mark Massoglia
Daily Tribune staff
mark.massoglia@cwnews.net
For Assumption it was a must-win game. A Marshfield Columbus victory, meanwhile, would have given the Dons a little cushion in the Marawood Conference South Division standings.

The full-court press of the Royals gave the Dons enough trouble to lead them to a 50-37 win and pull within a game of the Dons.

Assumption improved to 13-3 overall and 10-2 in the conference, while Columbus slipped to 16-2 and 11-2.

"You have to give Assumption all the credit," Columbus coach Joe Konieczny said. "They played hard and inspired basketball. And we didn't take care of the ball and that's very important when you play Assumption."

The win also avenged an early season 65-59 setback at Marshfield on Dec. 18.

"We needed this game if we wanted any chance at staying in the conference race," Assumption coach Gary Weisenbeck said. "Everyone who played tonight did their job. That's what I like about this group."

The fourth quarter was a perfect example of what Weisenbeck noted. Five different players helped score 16 points in the frame and the Royals trapping defense finally took its toll by limiting the Dons to just three points.

"We were more patient in the third and had a good quarter," Konieczny said. "In the fourth quarter I don't know if we ran out of gas or what, but we were not patient and lost all sense of togetherness on the court."

Trevor Gorman, a 54 percent 3-point shooter, was limited to just five attempts from long range and finished with nine points, including all three of the Dons' points in the fourth quarter.

The Royals were an average 8 for 13 from the line for the game, but hit 5 of 8 in the fourth quarter to give Assumption a lead it wouldn't give up.

After an explosive first quarter -- the teams' combined for 34 points -- the momentum shifted to the Royals as they outscored the Dons 13-4 in the second quarter.

Columbus returned the favor with a 12-5 edge in the third quarter to tie the game at 34-34 heading into the fourth.

Luke Boehning finished with 12 points and was the only Columbus player with double figures.

Assumption was paced by Ben Kinzel's 13-point effort, while Alex Erdmann chipped in with 12 and Matt Turba 10.

"This was one of the of the best performances by an Assumption in quite some time," Weisenbeck said.

Surrounded by Marsfield Columbus defenders, Assumption's Ben Kinzel attempts a layup Monday in Wisconsin Rapids. DOUG ALFT/Daily Tribune