The Blackhawks and Greyhounds played again after having just played 10 days earlier, but this time in Owen. In a close, well-played game with plenty of defense, the Blackhawks came away a little short and fell to the Greyhounds, 56-50.
The Hawks came ready early with Jack Wendler and Winston Poehler each scoring, Wendler in the post from Poehler and Poehler from mid-range off a Talon Mueller pass. After a Colton Paczkowski three, Poehler stole a pass and hit Clay Mueller on a nice fastbreak to make it 9-7. Mueller then fed Wendler on a nice in-bounds pass for two, with Poehler and Clay Mueller each adding threes from deep to keep it close at 17-16. Some nice execution on some set plays kept the Hawks in the lead with another Poehler three and a nice drive and score from Clay Mueller. The Blackhawks led 27-26 at the half.
More defense and precision offense in the second half by both teams as the lead went back and forth. Wendler hit Paczkowski with an excellent inside out pass for two. Wendler then knocked down a 15-footer, followed by a drive to the rim for Clay Mueller. The Blackhawks were down by four with six minutes left when Poehler knocked in another three. Four more quick points got the Hawks within two. A big three by Clay Mueller and a drive by Preston Fritz, got the Hawks within three late, and they had a couple of good looks in the end along with some key steals, but weren't able to pull off the win.
The Blackhawks shot 42% overall for the game along with 14 assists and 8 steals.
Box Score: C. Mueller 16 pts, 4 rebs, 2 asts; Poehler 13 pts, 7 rebs, 2 asts, 2 stls; Wendler 11 pts, 5 rebs, 3 blks; Paczkowski 5 pts, 2 rebs, 3 asts; Fritz 4 pts, 3 asts, 2 stls; T. Mueller 1 pt, 4 rebs, 3 asts; Wells 1 reb.
Coach's Comments
The guys really executed the game plan and were aggressive versus a tough defensive team. I thought that we ran well looking for good rhythm shots and getting Loyal to scramble on defense a little bit. We had good shots all night and our guys fought to the end which they always do. We are playing better, with better tempo on offense.