CEU takes #1 team in the nation to overtime
Last weekend, the game against the number-one team in the nation might as well have been called the Darrington Hobson Show. He scored an amazing 83 points in the two games against the College of Southern Idaho and almost upset the top team in the nation.
This archived article was written by: Riley Spears
Last weekend, the game against the number-one team in the nation might as well have been called the Darrington Hobson Show. He scored an amazing 83 points in the two games against the College of Southern Idaho and almost upset the top team in the nation.
On Feb. 8 against the top team in the land, the College of Eastern Utah men’s basketball team came out as though this was just another backyard game. CEU actually shot a better percentage; 51 percent from the field. CEU played tough defense in the first half forcing CSI to take tough shots including 18 threes, converting on six. The CEU Eagles went into the half down by three, 45-42.
The second half was a different story with CSI showing why they are undefeated. They came out scoring fast and keeping their outlook as the top offensive team, scoring 53 in the second half. CEU still didn’t allow CSI’s full court press. But despite some last minute scoring by the Idaho Eagles, CEU fell to CSI 98-89. “I was proud of my guys; they played their hearts out,” said head coach Chris Craig.
Hobson was the leading scorer for the Eagles scoring 37 points on 16-24 shooting; he also added four assists and seven rebounds. Stephan Franklin came up big for EU scoring 15 on four for eight from the field and six for nine from the free-throw line.
Kal Bay also had double figures scoring 10, six of which was from three, showing why he is 24th in the nation in three-point shooting percentage. Aaron England also added to the scoring with nine. Felix Caspari was a huge reason that CEU out rebounded CSI as he got 10 boards.
The second game of the weekend started off the same way with both teams coming out shooting a good percentage from the field with CEU shooting 57 percent and 83 percent from the field. CEU went into the half only down by one, despite shooting a higher percentage from the line and the field.
In the second half the game stayed just as tight. CEU kept up their scoring despite only making two from behind the arc. They made up the difference in the second half and sent the number-one team in the nation into overtime “This team knows that they can beat anyone, but these losses just make the next games more meaningful,” said Craig.
In overtime CSI did not want to lose their first place spot and took over the game to keep their undefeated streak. The Idaho Golden Eagles squeaked out a victory with a 108-102 score.
Hobson was the high scorer in the game with an amazing 46 points and nine rebounds. “Coach told me to attack the basket and be aggressive. Scoring that many points was not as important to me as getting a win; I would have rather scored no points and got the win,” said Hobson. Thirty-two points behind was Caspari with 14 points and eight rebounds. Bay was also in double figures with 13 and Rafael Moreira was next with 10.
In their final home games, CEU plays Northern Idaho College at the BDAC this weekend, Feb. 15 and 16, at 7:30 and 3 p.m. respectively. A special promotion for basketball enthusiasts is if you attend Friday night’s game, you get into Saturday’s game for $1.
