Knights outplayed

By JEN SEAVEY

Journal Sports Editor

ST. PETER -- It wasn't poor playing on the part of Sleepy Eye St. Mary's, nor was it just Mayer Lutheran's height. Players and coaches alike agree that it wasn't one big thing that led Mayer Lutheran to become the 2A North champions over the Knights, 60-46 Monday.

One thing that threw the Knights (22-3) off their game slightly was the quality of the Mayer Lutheran ball-handlers.

"They handled the ball extremely well," St. Mary's coach Peter Roufs said. "Usually, we are able to put pressure on the ball and take it away."

But Mayer Lutheran took care of the ball, only committing four turnovers in the game. This also held the Knights fast break game down.

"We didn't get too many fast break points," said junior Kyle Ludewig, who made six points. "Our defense usually starts our offense, but tonight, that didn't happen.

"We never got into the flow on offense," he said. "They were always in control from the opening tip."

Another factor was that Mayer Lutheran passed the ball and play with a balanced offense. According to coach Kevin Boozikee, their lead scorer averages 13 points per game, while others make up the rest of their points.

"Everyone on their team played a role, and they played it through well," Matt Mathiowetz, who scored a game-high 21 points for the Knights.

But Boozikee said that St. Mary's pushed his team. He knew the Knights would run the ball, so he changed his game plan.

"We knew we'd have to save energy," he said. "And we were tired at the end."

The first quarter was closely played. Mayer Lutheran came out with the first bucket, but St. Mary's quickly tied it up and took the lead three times. After a three-pointer by Kyle Ludewig off of an inbounds pass, the Knights allowed Mayer Lutheran to sneak ahead 14-11. The Knights ended the first behind 14-13.

Play in the next quarter was a preview for the rest of the game. Defense was the strength of both teams -- especially Mayer Lutheran. At one point, although the Knights did not give up possession, they were forced to work the ball for an unusual period of time before drawing a foul. With 2:31 left in the quarter, the Knights had made only two points -- a jumper by Matt Gangelhoff, and were down 25-17. In the last 1:45, Mathiowetz put it back for two, Ludewig made a shot, and Gangelhoff swished a three at the buzzer to go into half-time 27-22.

Mayer Lutheran cranked up their defense in the third, holding the Knights to just one point in the first 6:30. Mathiowetz propelled the Knights into a 9-2 run, and Andy Cook wrapped the fourth up 40-32 at the buzzer with a three-pointer.

Mayer Lutheran pulled ahead halfway through the fourth quarter, and St. Mary's was unable to pull off another comeback. Six-four center Rob Brandl fouled out just 16 seconds into the fourth quarter, and before long, Mayer Lutheran was taking advantage of their height mis-match.

"We are very tall," Boozikee said. "That is something that paid off for us when Brandl fouled out -- we have rebounded well all year long."

Mathiowetz, a 6-1 junior forward, tried to keep the Knights in range for a come-back, scoring all but two of the Knights' 14 fourth-quarter points, including two three-pointers. With three minutes left, Mayer Lutheran had a 51-41 margin that they widened with the help of free-throws for the win.

The top scorers for Mayer Lutheran, making 16 points, were Robbie Holmes and Jon Schwartz, both 6-5. They had seven other players score in single-digits. The Knights were led by Mathiowetz, and Gangelhoff, who scored 14 points. Five St. Mary's players contributed to scoring.

"We didn't cause turnovers and our shots didn't drop," Roufs said. "But the kids battled the whole 32 minutes ... I'm proud of the kids and how they have played all year."

Mayer Lutheran now faces Mankato Loyola for the Section 2A Championship at Bresnan Arena at Minnesota State University in Mankato Friday at 6 p.m.