Storm Basketball Drops Tough Non-Conference Game
Saint Bonifacius, Minn - The Crown College Men's Basketball team has seen a huge improvement in head coach Jon Barsness second season and Saturday's game was a great example of the strides this program has made in just one season. Last season the Storm traveled to Luther College in Iowa to take on the Norse and were down 49-14 at the half and never competed in the game. Fast forward one season and the Norse traveled to Saint Bonifacius to play a non-conference game.
After losing the opening tip sophomore guard Steven Holladay stepped into the passing lane and created the first two points of the game for the Storm with a quick lay up off a steal. The game would continue to go back and forth for the first 8 minutes of the game as the game would be tied 12-12. The Norse would push the lead to 8 with 2:16 to go in the first half but the Storm would score the half's final six points to pull within 2 at the half, 31-29.
The Storm would take their first lead since 2-0 early in the second half on a jumper by junior Maurice Lloyd giving the Storm the 36-33 lead. The Norse would go on a 10-1 run in the middle of the second half to match their largest lead of the game at 45-37. The Storm would not go away quitely as they would respond with a 10-2 run of their own to pull within 1 point at 50-51 with six minutes ot go in the game. The Storm would keep the game within two possessions and trim the lead to 3 points with 1:04 to go but the Norse would hit just enough free throws at teh end of the game to finish off the Storm 66-57.
For the Storm senior guard Jake Jarvis would put in 12 points and grab 7 rebounds while dishing out 6 assists. Junior post Maurice Lloyd would add 12 points shooting 4-5 from the field in the second half and freshman forward Andrew Harrel would add 7 points and grab 7 rebounds. Sophomore guard Steven Holladay inserted in the starting lineup would score 6 points on 3-5 shooting and senior post Dan Pust would add 7 points and 4 rebounds off the bench for the Storm.
Crown looks to stay in first place in the UMAC when it returns to action on Friday January 8th as it travels to Mankato, Minn to take on the Vikings of Bethany Lutheran College.
