Eagles fall to Mankato West 72-57

By ANDY ROGERS

Journal Sports Editor

NEW ULM -- When you're playing the tough team and you haven't won a game in five tries, you'd expect the worst.

One could argue a 72-57 loss isn't the worst that could happen.

The New Ulm Eagles boys basketball team came up short against Mankato West Scarlets 72-57, but it was a far cry from Tuesday's gave against St. James when they lost 71-26.

"We're getting better," Eagles head coach Pat Burmeister said. "And we've been progressing a lot in practice... We're just having trouble scoring. We're having trouble getting to the point were we can run the offense.

"We gotta score points and that's what's killed us all year. We have to realize the importance of each possession and turn those possessions into points."

The Eagles had a few huge momentum swings especially early in the game and during the third quarter, but it wasn't enough.

"We looked real good at times, but you have to put a full game together to win games," Burmeister said.

A number of players got into the mix. Dan Boettger had 17 points and six rebounds. Andy Walden added 15. Bob Wellmann helped out with 7 assists and 10 points and Caleb Lieghty grabbed five rebounds.

The coach says the team has no real go-to guy at this point, which has a lot to do with the team's youth, which sports just two seniors and an sophomore had significant playing time.

"We have a good balance though," Burmeister said.

The Eagles started the game with the momentum and a 6-2 lead. They rebounded effectively and got into their offense.

"They weren't pressing and we got some good looks," Burmeister said. "We got some momentum and got some shots off, but then they applied pressure at half court it took us out of our game and we never made the adjustments."

But Mankato West started putting on the pressure.

Mankato West didn't get the lead until the 6:36 mark in the second period when they went up 19-17.

Then the Eagles went on a scoring draught and Mankato West got a hot-hand with three-pointers.

"We were fine until our offense couldn't execute," Burmeister said.

The Eagles went into the lockeroom at halftime still in the game down 36-29.

But in the third quarter Mankato West started to put the game away with a few threes and they started capitalizing on turnovers. At one point they were up 49-34, but momentum shifted again with New Ulm grabbing some key rebounds, making free throws and some threes of their own

The Eagles were within six points heading into the fourth quarter, but Mankato West scored 23 points to the Eagles 14 to take the win.

"We had trouble scoring and we played a little bit out of control," Burmeister said. "They guys almost played too aggressively. They needed to calm down a bit and stay under control."

Defensively the team played a good game according to Burmeister.

"We we successful at times trying to stop the three point shots and and we made some adjustment to stop them from getting inside," Burmeister said. "We also got the rebounds this time. It's our offense that's struggling and we have to limit turnovers."

The Eagles don't play again until 2002, but Burmeister said he thinks the time off will help the team.

"We expect to play better and get some wins in January," Burmeister said.

The team won't make any major changes Burmeister said, but they'll tinker with a few things.

"We got to take little steps before you take one big hop," Burmeister said.

The Eagles, now 0-6, will host Sibley East Jan. 4.

Eagle lost the B Squad game as well 59-47. Jake Babel led with 15 points. Josh Date added 13 and Ben Jensen shot for 12.