Green Knights Rally to Score Road Win at Elmhurst

From Sports Information Director, November 21, 2009 | Men's Basketball
by Dan Lukes, dan.lukes@snc.edu, (920) 403-4077

ELMHURST, Ill. - St. Norbert College rallied from a 10-point second half deficit to post a hard-fought 63-61 non-conference win over Elmhurst College at R.A. Faganel Hall.

The Green Knights improved to 3-0 for the first time since the 1994-95 season. Elmhurst fell to 1-1.

St. Norbert trailed by 12 points in the first half at 27-15 and by as much as 44-34 with 15 minutes 31 seconds remaining. The Green Knights slowly worked their way back into the game, taking their first lead at 57-56 on a Dave Wipperfurth layup with 4:16 left to play.

Elmhurst's Dustin Bainter hit a 3-pointer on the Bluejays' next possession, but John Taylor tied the game at 59-59 with 3:40 to go. St. Norbert would hold go back in front at 61-59 on a Wipperfurth jumper with 2:09 left, but Elmhurst's Zack Boyd tied the game on a basket with 1:06 to go.

St. Norbert would turn the ball over, but the Bluejays would miss two shots on their next possession. Steve Papke secured the second rebound for the Green Knights and made 1 of 2 free throws with 15 seconds left for a 62-61 leadt. Elmhurst would miss a layup with 5 seconds left, and Papke would again snare the rebound and make 1 of 2 free throws with 3 seconds left. Following a pair of timeouts, Bainter would miss a potential game-tying 3-pointer as time expired.

The Green Knights shot 45 percent from the floor, making 18 of 40 field goals. St. Norbert was a hot 63.2 percent (12-for-19) in the second half. Wipperfurth led St. Norbert with 21 points, while Taylor had 14 points and seven assists. Papke and Chris Peterson each had eight points. St. Norbert held a 36-24 rebounding advantage.

Elmhurst shot 42.1 percent from the floor, making 25 of 57 attempts. Boyd had 15 points to pace the Bluejays, while Chris Childs added 13.

St. Norbert also held a commanding free throw advantage. The Green Knights made 21 of 27 free throws, while Elmhurst was just 6-for-10.