National-ranked Cardinals chalk up another win

By DONN ADAMSON\Daily Journal Sports Editor

PARK HILLS - The Mineral Area Cardinals are back in the national rankings (19th), after wins over Three Rivers and West Plains (4OT), and on Wednesday night they added another victim, the Washington University Bears J.V. team. MAC defeated the Bears by a score of 90-59.

It was a somewhat expected type of final score, but it took Mineral Area a good while before it looked like they would achieve it. The Bears came out hot, hitting seven of their first eight shots with two from beyond the arc. For a good portion of the beginning minutes, the Bears held the lead.

The Cardinals had trouble scoring at the start of the game, and only their defense kept the Bears from gaining a huge lead. The Bears turned the ball over 13 times in the first half.

With 14:10 left in the first half, Mineral Area took its first lead with a three-pointer by Tony Webb, his first of two in the half. MAC's defense and speed began to take over as the lead blossomed and blossomed until MAC held a 49-34 lead at the half. Webb was also 6-6 from the free-throw line for a total of 14 points in the half.

In the second half Mineral Area had its way with the Bears as the Cardinals scored at will. The Bears, who had been 12-20 in the first half, were only 8-29 in the second half from the floor. Mineral Area continued their 50 percent shooting from the floor finishing with a 37-74 performance.

Curtis Muse and Tremaine Wilkerson got the fans excited each with a dunk in the half. Chad Henderson, who had been quiet offensively in the first half, lit it up in the second half from beyond the arc with three three-pointers and a pair of two-point baskets.

The Cardinals made 11-14 free throws in the first half, but did not make a single one in the second half. That's because they didn't shoot one. The Cardinals outrebounded the Bears 36-26 and also turned the ball over only 13 times to the Bears 20.

Wilkerson led the team in rebounds with eight, Henderson had seven, and Eric Stuckey pulled down six. The Cardinals also blocked five shots by the Bears with Curtis Muse swatting away three.

The Cardinals left the Bears in the starting blocks when the second half started and what was 15 points soon ballooned to a 30-point lead.

There were 10 Cardinals who contributed to Mineral Area's final score with five finishing in double figures. Webb and Wilkerson shared top honors with 16 points each. Ben Kussman led the Bears with 15 points

Washington U. had only seven players on their team, and one fouled out midway through the second half.

The Cardinals, 15-4, will play at home in the second game of a doubleheader against Moberly on Saturday following the ladies game at 5 pm.

Washington U. 34 25 - 59

Mineral Area 49 41 - 90

Washington U. - Kussman 15, Wagner 14, Syversten 13, Williams 7, Schermerhorn 6.

Mineral Area - Webb 16, Wilkerson 16, Stuckey 14, Henderson 13, Muse 11, Hicks 9, Britton 4, Jackson 3, Claitt 2, Hassell 2.

3-Pointers: Wagner 4, Henderson 3, Webb 2, Schermerhorn, Williams.