Marauders lose nail biter, 85-84
For Hub City Times
FOX CITIES – The UWSP at Marshfield Marauders lost a tough battle on Jan. 8 to UWO-Fox Cities 85-84.
The game remained close throughout the first half until the Cyclones got hot and pushed the lead to six at half.
After the half the Marauders would battle back to tie the game or take a small lead before the Cyclones hit a few more deep shots to take the lead back.
Down by 10 with two minutes to go, the Marauders got a steal and a fast break by Ethan Posteluk (Marshfield) that lead to an intentional foul. Posteluk sank both free throws to trim the lead to eight. After throwing the ball in, the Marauders were able to get a 3-pointer to fall to cut the lead to five. After a missed one and one from the Cyclones, Joey Miller (Columbus) connected on another 3-pointer to cut the lead to two with 25 seconds remaining.
Another missed bonus free throw gave the Marauders the ball with the chance to tie or take the lead. Two great looks from the 3-point line went in and out before the Marauders had to foul. Once again, the Cyclones missed a bonus free throw. A contested layup would roll in and out before the Marauders fouled one more time, down two.
The Cyclones made the first and missed the second, which left 1.8 seconds to go, down three. A long pass carried inside the 3-point line as Colton Wright (Auburndale) was able to gather the ball and hit the shot up at the buzzer. Unfortunately for the Marauders the two was not enough as they fell 85-84.
Leading the way for the Marauders was Ethan Posteluk, with 24 points, and Joey Miller with 23 points. Jack Bezlyk (Spencer) chipped in 13 points, and Wright and Joe Fields (Obame SCTE) each had 12 points.
The Marauders next game is Jan. 15, at home against UWO-Fond du Lac; game time is 7:15 p.m.