By Rick Schneider

February 2010

On Dec. 8 the Elmhurst College men’s basketball team was 4-2 and the questions about how the team would respond to the loss of All-Conference players Ryan Burks, Robert Strzemp, and Brent Ruch seemed to be put out of mind.  However, a four game losing streak (Dec. 12-23) placed the ‘Jays below .500, something they have not been able to overcome. 

Injuries have plagued the ‘Jays all season but it has been the inexperience of the team, especially through the long run of conference games, which has taken a toll on the ‘Jays. 

“Sometimes you have to play through the pain, especially if you are a major contributor,” said sophomore Zack Boyd. 

The ‘Jays recorded their first conference win against Millikin University on Feb. 3 but followed it with a 59-73 loss to Illinois Wesleyan University on Feb. 6. 

The ‘Jays are now 1-9 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin, 6-15 overall. 

So far this season senior Chris Childs has suffered from a black eye and has had stitches, Boyd has an injured pinky finger on his shooting hand; sophomore Wes Dukeman has had foot problems while junior Joe Acosta has been out in a foot brace. 

“We have had a lot of injuries, especially with our freshmen and it hurts when the people that need to learn the most are out with injuries,” said Boyd. “We also lost a ton of great leadership and offensive power.”

After dropping four games the ‘Jays were able to pick a game up against Simpson College on Jan. 2 before heading into the long conference stretch. 

It was a good game to help rebuild confidence in the team.  The ‘Jays never trailed and shot 51.0 percent from the field, 52.9 percent from three point range. Childs ended with 21 points, Boyd totaled 18 points and senior Dustin Bainter pulled down six rebounds with 15 points. 

The ‘Jays were unable to build off of the win against Simpson College as they lost by two points to Millikin on Jan. 6 in their first conference game of the season. 

A shot by Boyd brought the ‘Jays to within two points and Childs knocked down two free throws to tie the games.  Millikin came back to take the lead and Bainter’s three-point shot at the buzzer was off the mark causing the ‘Jays to fall.  

The loss to Millikin opened the door to a long streak that has led to the ‘Jays
ranking last in the CCIW standings.  The ‘Jays have however lost three games by a margin of five or fewer points: Millikin (54-56), North Park University (53-58), and North Central College (71-72).

“There are five games, three in conference and two in non-conference that we lost by four or five points or less,” said Boyd. “Instead of six wins, it [would] bump [us] to 11 if the games go the other way but sometimes, teams go through this type of season.”

In the second game against Millikin on Feb. 3, the ‘Jays were in need of their first conference win.  After being down by two points in the opening period, the
‘Jays responded with a 12-2 run to take an eight-point lead into the half. 

The ‘Jays then came out and extended their lead to 14 points before Millikin cut the lead down to four points.  But a 10-3 run by the ‘Jays put Millikin out of reach. 

The ‘Jays finished with a 53.7 shooting percentage from the floor.  Bainter led the scoring with 24 points and five assists.  Boyd tallied 12 points while junior Aaron Schroeder added seven points. 

The ‘Jays would then travel to face the conference leading Illinois Wesleyan team on Feb. 6.  A quick start from Wesleyan left the ‘Jays in a 14-point deficit.  Wesleyan shot 62.5 percent from the floor and extended their lead to 24 as the first half came to a close. 

The ‘Jays were able to cut the lead to 16 after taking advantage of an 8-2 run. 

But Wesleyan extended their lead back to 23 points.  However, the ‘Jays were not done yet, a 15-0 run pulled the ‘Jays to 61-53.  But again Wesleyan responded with an 8-0 run of their own to seal the win. 

Boyd finished with 16 points, Schroeder and freshman Mike Jackson added eight points. 

It is apparent that this is not the where the ‘Jays were hoping to be after their first ten conference games. 

“Our overall record is not a great reflection of this team at all,” Boyd said.  “We know we are better than our record shows, and hopefully from an outside point of view, people also realize our potential and sometimes the chips don’t fall your way.”

With only four games left this season, the ‘Jays will not be able to finish above .500 in either conference or overall but the players are determined to continue working. 

“Some things we have done well is we continue to work hard in practice, continue to want to improve, and continue to compete regardless of the many things we could say are limiting us,” said Boyd. 

Head coach Mark Sherer was unavailable for comments.