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Posting Up - Scoreboard - Top 25 - Features - Notables - Team of the Week - Live Audio |
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About the 2001 Division III |
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Ohio
Northern 66, Carthage 64
In the semifinal game, the Polar Bears will face Catholic, who defeated Clark 82-78 in another sectional final, at either 6 pm or 8 pm in Salem, Virginia. ONU's 18th consecutive victory equalled the school record set by the 1992-93 team that won the NCAA Championship. With only seven seconds remaining in the game and ONU up 65-62, Carthage's (24-5) Jason Wiertel converted a jumper while being fouled. On the ensuing free throw, Wiertel missed and Mike Heitkamp was immediately fouled after grabbing the rebound. Heitkamp made one of the two free throws, setting up a frantic final five seconds. Carthage's Greg Ktistou dribbled up the court and fed the ball to Tony Papanicholas in the corner. Papanicholas began to move towards the hoop, and while attempting to shoot, the ball squirmed from his grasp as time expired. "We are very fortunate be where we are," said ONU head coach Joe Campoli. "Their man-to-man defense pushed us out of what we wanted to do offensively. In the second-half, we went to a smaller line up and spread the floor, giving Oberdick more space around the basket." Oberdick sparked the Polar Bears in the second half with a series of pivotal buckets. With the scores knotted up at 41-41 with 9:36 to play, Oberdick drained a jumper to start an 8-2 run that gave Northern a 49-43 advantage. After Carthage reduced the lead to 49-46, Oberdick once again ignited the Polar Bear's offense scoring on three consecutive trips down the court during and 11-2 run that gave Northern a 60-48 lead with 2:00 to play. The Redmen refused to die, and produced a 16-5 run in the final 1:49 to set up the frenzied finale. "He [Oberdick] is a great player," said Carthage head coach Bosko Djurickovic. "When they needed plays down the stretch he made them. He really took over the game." Oberdick finished with a game-high 27 points, 21 of which were scored in the second stanza. ONU won the rebounding battle 37-26 as Mike Heitkamp pulled down a game-high 11 boards and Chad Bostelman grabbed 10. "We have been out sized all year long," said ONU post Craig Wohlgamuth. "No one compares to us in heart. We are a family and everyone works hard for each other. I'd go to war for these guys and I know they would do the same for me." Two others scored in double figures for ONU. Jim Conrad and Craig Wohlgamuth netted 12 and 11 points, respectively. The Redmen were led by Brett Nishibayashi and Wiertel, who each netted 15 points. Rob Garnes and Antonio McDaniel also scored in double digits with 12 and 10 points, respectively. |
Rankings and links to all D-III teams
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