The game went right down to the wire with Raider guard Jeff Mikos (Lake Zurich, Ill. / Lake Zurich) missing a 3-pointer from the top of the key as time expired.
“This is a tough loss,” MSOE coach Brian Miller said. “I thanked the team for setting expectations high this year – even though our 17 wins broke the old school record by four, it didn’t seem like enough.”
In a game that produced nine lead changes and had physical play in the paint, the Raiders found themselves down by seven with 1:14 remaining.
Sophomore guard Robert Verdun (Pontiac, Ill. / Pontiac), a perimeter threat all season for the Raiders, hit a huge 3-pointer with 16.4 seconds left to cut the Sabres lead to 62-60.
Marian’s Jake Harmsen (Brandon, Wis. / Laconia High School) was fouled almost immediately after the inbound play and he made both free throws to increase the Sabres lead to four with 14 seconds left.
MSOE’s Mikos quickly drove the ball up court following the free throws and he was fouled by Harmsen with 10 seconds left. Mikos made his second attempt from the line after missing the first to cut the Sabres lead to three.
The next play nearly spelled disaster for the Sabres.
Marian’s Nick Vogt (Lomira, Wis. / Lomira High School) grabbed the ball and when he threw it in; Mikos intercepted the pass under the basket and attempted a lay-up. The shot rolled out after Mikos was fouled by Jordan Van Ess (Oostburg, Wis. / Oostburg High School) of Marian.
This time Mikos was good on both of his free throw attempts and the Sabres lead was cut to one point at 64-63 with 8.3 seconds remaining.
Raider forward Damon Spurlock (Milwaukee, Wis. / North Division) fouled Harmsen after the following inbound play. Harmsen knocked down both free throws to increase Marian’s advantage to three and the Sabres called timeout.
Mikos dribbled the ball across half court with about five seconds remaining. He juked his defender to gain some space and put up a 3-pointer that fell short as time expired.
The Sabres advance to the semi-final round of the LMC tournament with the win and will take on the winner of the game between Wisconsin Lutheran and Concordia. Date and time of the game will be set tomorrow by the conference.
The loss puts an end to an amazing season for the men’s basketball team. A season where Mikos set the all-time record for steals at MSOE and the team set the all-time school record for wins.
Senior guard Floyd Bayiha (Superior, Wis. / Cameroon) surpassed 1,000 points for his college career in today’s game as well.
The Raiders finished with an overall record of 17-9, 10-4 in the LMC.