Judson News
Thu, Feb 28, 2008 - [Men's Basketball]
Judson 83, Calumet College 74 - Box
Chris Oates Scores 1,000th Career-Point
 

Elgin, Ill. - A stifling Judson University (18-8) defense in the final 3:20 of the game was the difference as the Eagles finished on a 12-2 run for an 83-74 victory over Calumet College (18-13). The win propels Judson into the CCAC Tournament Championship game against Cardinal Stritch. The biggest shot of the game for Judson came with 2:13 remaining when CCAC Player of the Year Dewayne Robinson sailed home a three-pointer as the shot clock ran down to give Judson the final lead of the game, 74-72. That shot began JU’s 12-2 run to finish off Calumet for the win.

Senior Chris Oates had one of his best nights, ever, in his career as he posted a career-high 15 rebounds with 15 points and five blocks. He also became the 25th player in Judson history to score over 1,000 career points in the first half.

He is the third player this season to reach 1,000 career points and the fourth overall on the team. Both Dewayne Robinson and Joe Gonnam hit 1,000 points this season while Justen Boyd hit the 1,000 point mark last season. Oates

CCAC Player of the Year
Dewayne Robinson
Joe Gonnam also had a career-high in rebounding with 15 and added eight points. Ilija Bojanic collected 15 points, Steffan Williams 13 points, and Robinson led all scorers with 27 points. Marcellus Phelps led Calumet with 15 points.

With five ties in the second half and nine overall in the game, the atmosphere was eclectic in the Lindner Fitness Center. Both teams battled for the lead the entire game with 27 lead changes.

Calumet took a 12-9 lead just four minutes into the game but JU responded with an 8-0 run in three minutes to make it 17-12. Calumet fired right back with a 9-0 run to reclaim a four-point lead, 21-17. Calumet then pushed their lead to five, 24-19, on a three-pointer by Kyle Burkholder at the 10:03 mark.

Battling back, Judson retook the lead, 36-35, on a Bojanic lay up with 4:10 left in the half as part of a 10-3 run to put the Eagles up three, 41-38. CC had a 35-31 before Robinson started the run with a three-pointer followed by Bojanic’s lay up. Calumet finished the half out scoring Judson, 7-5, to take a 42-41 lead at the half.

The second half was just as exciting as Judson tied the game for a fifth time at 44 less than a minute in. Calumet answered with a 6-2 run as Tom Radtke put the Crimson Wave up by four, 50-46, at the 18:04 mark. Again, Judson answered on a 9-2 run for a three-point lead, 55-52, that ended on another Robinson shot. Calumet scored the next four points and Radtke gave the Crimson Wave the lead again, 56-55, with just 12:32 left in the game.

In the next nine minutes, there were 12 lead changes amongst the two teams. Either team did not have a larger lead than two points. At the 5:27 mark, Oates tied the game for the ninth time at 69 and 42 seconds later put Judson up by two, 71-69.

Either team did not score in the next 1:25 as both teams combined for four missed shots and two turnovers. At the 3:20 mark, Calumet’s Wilfredo Escobar swooshed home his fourth three-pointer of the night for a one-point advantage, 72-71. That was the final shot made from the floor by Calumet as they scored their final two points from the free throw line.

Joe Gonnam
Judson finished shooting 41% from the floor as they took 70 shots. They also went 17-of-23 from the free throw line for 73%. Taking 29 three-pointers, Judson made eight for 27%. Calumet shot the same way making 40% from the floor on 60 shots and also connected for eight three-pointers for 32% from beyond the arc. They only made 69% from the charity stripe. JU out rebounded CC, 47-40, and forced 10 turnovers while blocking five shots.

Judson will now host Cardinal Stritch for the CCAC Tournament Championship on Saturday, March 1, at 8:00 p.m. in the Lindner Fitness Center.

NOTES: Chris Oates collected his second double-double of the season with 15 points and 15 rebounds…Oates also had a career-high five blocks and now has 79 career blocks for 4th all-time at Judson…Oates needs just two blocks to move into the third spot…This will Judson’s second CCAC Tournament Championship appearance in three seasons as they played for the championship in the 2005-06 season…It will be the second time, too, that Judson will face Cardinal Stritch in the CCAC Tournament Championship game…CSU defeated JU, 82-70, in the 2006 CCAC Tournament Championship game…the 70 shots taken vs. Calumet was the 3rd most this season as they took 75 shots vs. Cardinal Stritch in the double OT loss and 73 shots vs. Indiana-Northwest…the 29 three-pointers was the most taken this season by Judson…This was the 17th game this season that Dewayne Robinson has scored 20 or more points…the 73% from the free throw line was the fifth best this season…Judson has now won five in a row…Judson is currently 12-2 at home and currently has an eight-game home winning streak…JU has now defeated CC three straight times this year.