Cyclones Fall in WCC Semi-Final

(February 25, 2012) Wausau, WI -

The UW-Fox men's basketball team came up short in its bid to repeat as WCC Tournament champions, falling to UW-Richland 70-67 on Saturday at UW-Marathon in the tournament semi-finals.  In a game that saw 24 lead changes and 11 ties, the Road Runners made the last few plays to earn the victory over the Cyclones.

Travis Puyleart, who led the Cyclones with 21 points, connected on a 3-point play to give the Cyclones a 67-66 lead with under a minute to play.  However, on their next possession, UW-Richland guard Ervin Johnson recovered his own errant pass in a loose ball scramble, and converted a lay-up to give the Road Runners a 1 point lead.  Johnson would force a turnover on the Cyclones next possession and convert it into a lay-up with 0:12 seconds remaining, for a 70-67 UW-Richland lead.  

UW-Fox would get two shots to tie the game in the last 0:12 seconds, but neither would fall.  The Cyclones struggled shooting most of the game, converting only 10 of 31 three-point attempts.

Despite committing 12 first half turnovers, and giving up 10 offensive rebounds, the Cyclones led at the half 35-34.  UW-Fox would take much better care of the ball in the second half, and only give up 1 offensive rebound, but their shooting woes would prove to be too much to overcome.  The Cyclones shot 34% in the second half, and only 37% for the game. 

With the loss the Cyclones end the season 22-3 overall.  Despite the tournament loss the Cyclones still claimed another regular season conference championship.  The back to back titles are a first in school history, as is the third consecutive 20 win season.