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Purdue Fort Wayne
Oakland
Mastodons Fall in Summit League Quarterfinals
3/9/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 9, 2009
Sioux Falls, SD - Balanced scoring by Oakland University turned the trick as the Golden Grizzlies beat the IPFW Mastodons, 75-62 in the Summit League Quarterfinals on Sunday evening in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Five Golden Grizzlies hit for double-digits and Oakland converted on 61.9% of their shots from the floor in beating the 'Dons for the third time this season.
IPFW's only lead of the game came on its first basket by freshman center Trey McCorkle.
Oakland quickly opened up a seven point lead on an old-fashioned 3-point play by sophomore center Keith Benson.
The Grizzlies (21-11) increased their lead to 27-13 on a fast-break dunk by freshman Drew Maynard.
The Mastodons cut the lead to eight at the half on a triple from sophomore guard Ben Botts and a late jumper by freshman John Peckinpaugh.
In the second half, Oakland surged ahead again by 14 points on a triple by senior guard Erik Kangas.
IPFW junior forward Deilvez Yearby cut the Oakland lead to 55-44 with a dunk off of a nice assist by senior forward David Carson.
A 3-point play by Yearby with 6:33 remaining drew the 'Dons to within seven at 57-50, but that is as close as they would get the rest of the way.
Senior center Dan Waterstradt drilled his third 3-pointer of the game, and Oakland hit their foul shots down the stretch to top the Mastodons by 13.
Oakland sophomore forward Will Hudson led the Grizzlies with 15 points, Waterstradt had 13, while Benson, Kangas, and junior guard Johnathon Jones each added 11.
Yearby led the Mastodons with 15. Carson, in his final game with IPFW tallied 13.
Oakland held IPFW to 37.9 shooting in the game and outrebounded the 'Dons 33-32.
The Mastodons finish the season at 13-17. The 13 wins ties the most wins for the program in the Division I era. A mark that was set last season. Head Coach Dane Fife has led the Mastodons to double-digit wins in each of his four years on the bench.
Post Game Quotes:
Dane Fife, Head Coach
Opening Statement
“All the credit in the world to Oakland. I thought they really got us off balance in the first half by pressuring us. Offensively, we had a tough time scoring, we were rushing shots and I think that is because of Oakland’s pressure. Great game, hard fought. Just a fun game to be a part of. I wish we could have shot a little bit better and defended a little bit better. It was just a great game and a good game to be a part of and I hope our young guys can take something from it.”
On his game plan to limit Oakland’s posts
“I think the main issue was we did not execute the game plan. We are not good enough to make plays if we do not execute the game plan they way we are supposed to. That’s what happens when you get beat. Usually you’re not executing the game plan properly.”
On David Carson’s impact on the program
“He’s an ambassador. He’s what every program wants, needs, has to have. He is a wonderful person. I told him in the locker room, ‘There were days when I wanted to strangle you. Probably more days that I didn’t want to straggle you than I did, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.’”
On where his program his heading after his first four years
”I know we are improved. I know we are getting better personnel. We have to upgrade. We still have some lingering players; we have to continue to upgrade our personnel. We’ve got a good core group of guys that compete but now we have to continue to develop talent and get more talent. It’s a battle, one we’re willing to fight. I feel we are in a good position. I don’t think we are to this point in position to say we are top three.”
Ben Botts
On his team’s post defense strategy
“We wanted to start in the backcourt pressuring so the passes weren’t as easy. Those guys have quite a height advantage over our players. It started with us out on top, that’s what we tried to do.”
On the future of the program
“We are in the gym everyday, and it’s got to be all of us. Oakland is going to have everyone back and IUPUI is going to be good. The league is going to get better so we have to work to stay up with it.”
Zach Plackemeier
On his progression as a scorer
“Really, I just stepped up more at the point guard roll this year. If teams are laying off of me, worrying about Dave (Carson) or our post guys, to take shots.”
Notes:
* This was also the final game for IPFW senior Jakari Johnson.
* IPFW qualified for The Summit League Tournament for the second time in two years of conference play.
* Oakland will face top-seeded North Dakota State in the semifinals. The other semifinal will feature South Dakota State and Southern Utah.
~Dons~
