Wildcats Drop Overtime Game to Dominican

“That may have been the best game ever played in the University School gym,” said USM coach Mike Snyder.  Snyder was referring to Thursday’s Midwest Classic Conference North game between Dominican and the University School of Milwaukee boys basketball team.  In an overtime game before an overflow crowd, multiple lead changes, and last-minute excitements, Dominican edged USM 73-68.

“Dominican has only lost to Germantown, which is the top Division One school with a 20-0 mark, and they have some players who will play D1 college ball,” said Snyder.  “Plus they beat us 83-58 last time we played them.  So I was really proud of our effort tonight.  We took them to the wire. It was because of good teamwork, including 16 assists.  Wow, we nearly had ‘em.”

The first half showed the excitement that thrilled the crowd all evening. Dominican began with a full court press to try to stop the Wildcats, but it had no real effect.  The teams stayed close throughout the first quarter, and at its end Dominican held a slim 17-14 lead. 

USM’s zone defense kept the Knights outside in the second quarter and allowed USM to tie it back up at 20-20 on a three-point shot by Greg Booth.  Jack Jelacic followed with his second three pointer of the quarter to make it 23-20.  But the Wildcats fought back again and went ahead 28-25 after free throws by Julien Addison and a lay up by Tommy Pennington.  The lead switched hands several more times.  A three by Breon Jordan and free throws by Duane Wilson gave Dominican a 30-28 lead, but Julien Addison put USM ahead with a beautiful three-point swish.  Dominican edged ahead again, but Josh Baker’s last second three-point shot gave USM a 34-33 lead at half time.

USM sprinted ahead in the early part of the second half.  Djdade Denson opened the third quarter with a three point drain.  Pennington hit a free throw, and Greg Booth sank a basket to put USM up at 40-33. Jamall Taylor hit two three-point shots to move Dominican within one.  Then Booth sank a three for USM.  Denson followed with a jumper in the key to make it 45-39.  Taylor hit a shot, but Booth then canned another three and USM led 48-41 at the end of the third quarter.

The crowd was really into it as the final quarter began.

“This was the kind of game that shows how athletics build community,” Snyder said.  “The place was packed with fans.  They saw a game that they’ll remember for a long time.”

Pennington sank an early fourth quarter shot to give USM a nine-point edge.  But the Knights aren’t ranked second in the state in Division 4 for nothing.  They scored ten straight to move ahead by 1.  Addison then sank a three point shot for the Wildcats to retake the lead at 53-51, but Taylor answered with another three for the Knights.  A free throw, a three pointer by Quinton Miller and a jumper by Patrick Feldmeier gave Dominican a 60-56 lead with 47 seconds left.  But it just set up last minute heroics by the Wildcats who weren’t about to give in.  Denson made a lay up and then with two seconds left on the clock, Baker dribbled around the top of the key, down the lane and made a last second lay-up to tie it at 60-60 all and send the game into overtime.

The overtime period was also close.  USM took three leads on a three pointer by Denson, a driving lay up by Denson and a jumper by Pennington, but each time Dominican was able to re-tie the game.   With the score knotted at 67-67, Dominican finally took its first overtime lead on a running lay up by Taylor.  The rest of the scoring came on free throws as the Wildcats tried to get the ball back.  It was too bad this great game had to end, but it finally did with Dominican ahead 73-68.

In the game, Taylor led the scoring with 25 points.  Denson led USM with 17 points followed closely by Baker with 16 points and Booth with 15 points.  Addison added 11 points and Pennington scored 9 points.

Dominican is now 19-1 and 15-0 atop the conference.  USM is 14-7 and 11-4 in the conference.  The Wildcats’ play another top conference opponent, Messmer, in their next game, which is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 24  at Messmer.