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Men's Basketball - Thu, Mar 13, 2008
#4 Walsh 91, Judson 57
NAIA National Tournament (First Round)
 

Point Lookout, Mo. - As a first-time qualifier for the NAIA National Division II National Tournament, Judson University bowed out in the first round with a 91-57 loss to #4 Walsh University. Judson finishes their best season, ever, at 19-9.

"This was a tough loss for us as we did not play our style of ball," says head coach Jim Cook. "I am very proud of this team, these five seniors, and what they have accomplished this year. They have laid a foundation for a tradition to start. It has been fun coaching this team."

Dewayne Robinson was the leading scorer with 13 points followed by Steffan Williams and Chris Oates with 11 each. Robinson was also the leading rebounder with five. Walsh had five players in double figures as Kyelce Cescato led the way with 20 points.

Five seniors end their run with Judson in Justen Boyd, Joe Gonnam, Chris Oates, Ilija Bojanic, and Steffan Williams. All five players help set a foundation for a tradition to continue for Judson basketball.

Walsh took a quick 15-4 lead over Judson in the first five minutes and never looked back. In the quick start by Walsh, Judson did not find their style of play as they were trying to catch up from the start. By halftime, JU was down, 46-27, and only shot 39% from the floor and 9% from beyond the arc.

Judson shot better in the second half (41%) but could not keep up with Walsh's 48% from the floor and 60% from three-point range.

Walsh out rebounded Judson, 45-30, and forced 11 Judson turnovers. Judson finished the game shooting just 40% from the floor, 23% from the three-point line, and 46% from the stripe. Walsh made 50% of their shots and hit 57% from three-point land.

This was the final game for CCAC Coach of the Year Jim Cook as the men's basketball coach as he will just coach the Judson women's team next season.

NOTES: Jim Cook finishes with an overall career record of 53-66…He guided Judson to their first-ever CCAC regular season and tournament championships and to their first-ever NAIA Tournament…He also was CCAC Tournament runners-up in the 2006 season…Justen Boyd finishes with 500 career assists and is 2nd all-time…Boyd finishes 4th all-time in games played (119), 8th in free throws made (272), 9th all-time in steals (133) and field goals attempted (1054), 10th in field goals made (537), and 11th in points (1,353)…Joe Gonnam finishes 8th in blocked shots (67) and 24th all-time in scoring (1,042)…Chris Oates finishes 3rd all-time in blocks (82) and 25th in scoring (1,029)…the 19 wins is the third best winning season in team history…the 23% shooting from 3-point land is the 4th worst this season for Judson…the 46% from the free throw line is the worst outing this season (7-of-15)… Steffan Williams finishes in 9th all-time in a Judson single season for three-point field goal attempts (168)…Dewayne Robinson has 5th best single-season outing for free throw attempts at Judson (208) and 6th in free throws made (147)…Walsh was playing in their eighth NAIA tournament and was the 2005 NAIA Division II National Champions.