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Falcons Lose WIAC Playoff Game to UWEC
Feb. 25, 2003
The Falcon men's basketball team lost a 68-65 decision to UW-Eau Claire
in the first round of the WIAC playoffs Tuesday night at the Karges Center.
UWEC held a 31-27 lead at the half. The Falcons were led by Rich Melzer
who scored 33 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. He finished 14-30 from the
field and 5-8 from the line. Matt Kukla was the only other Falcon to score
in double figures finishing with 12. UWRF was 25-57 (.439) from the field,
including 4-14 (.286) from three-point range. The Falcons were 11-16 (.688)
from the line.
UWEC was led by Dan Archambault who scored 20 points. He had five rebounds,
four assists and two steals. Jason Larson added 18 points and had five
rebounds. Andy Witte scored 10 points and finished with seven rebounds.
Nate Beck had seven rebounds and Tyler Birkel had six rebounds. UWEC finished
23-55 (.418) from the field, including 5-17 (.294) from three-point range.
UWEC, now 17-9 overall, was 17-22 (.773) from the line.
The Falcons finish the season with a 16-10 overall record.
Falcons Defeat Platteville in Double Overtime
Feb. 22, 2003
The Falcon men's basketball team defeated UW-Platteville, 78-72 in double
overtime, Saturday night.
Platteville held a 34-29 lead at the half. Rich Melzer led the Falcons
with 31 points and 13 rebounds. Senior Tim Duncan scored 14 points and
had seven rebounds. Micah Helfrey scored 10 points. The Falcons shot 27-60
(.450) from the field, including 10-21 (.476) from three-point range.
They finished 14-21 (.667) from the line. UWP was led by Tyler Selk who
scored 20 points and had 16 rebounds.
The Falcons finish the regular season with a 16-9 overall record and
they are 10-6 in the WIAC. The Falcons finished third in the WIAC for
the season. UWRF will play sixth ranked Eau Claire Tuesday at at Karges
Center, tipoff will be at 7 p.m.. Other WIAC games Tuesday night will
be UW-La Crosse (#8) at UW-Stevens Point (#1)--7 p.m., UW-Stout (#5) at
UW-Oshkosh (#4)--7 p.m., and UW-Platteville (#7) at UW-Whitewater (#2)--7
p.m.
Falcons Get 92-86 Overtime Win at UW-Stout
Feb. 19, 2003
The Falcon men's basketball team had four players score in double figures
as they won at UW-Stout, 92-86 in overtime, Wednesday night.
Stout held a 41-32 lead at the half and the game was tied 75-75 at the
end of regulation. The Falcons outscored Stout, 17-11, in the overtime.
It was the second time this year the two teams played an overtime game.
Stout won an 88-79 game at the Karges Center in January.
Rich Melzer led the Falcons with 34 points and 11 rebounds. Brian Mathison
scored 17 points and had seven rebounds. Matt Kukla scored 14 points and
Jesse Lam added 12. The Falcons shot 31-68 (.456) from the field, including
8-19 (.421) from three-point range. They finished 22-34 (.647) from the
line. UWS was led by Andy Bray who scored 26 points and had 14 rebounds.
The Falcons, now 15-9 overall and 9-6 in the WIAC, will next play at
UW-Platteville on Saturday with action starting at 7 p.m.
Falcons Top Superior, 62-56
Feb. 12, 2003
The Falcon men's basketball team beat UW-Superior, 62-56, Wednesday night
at the Karges Center.
UWRF held a 30-28 lead at the half. Rich Melzer led the Falcons with 29
points and 11 rebounds. He finished 10-22 from the field and 9-12 from
the line. Brian Mathison finished with 12 points and Micah Helfrey scored
10 and had six assists. UWRF was 20-56 (.357) from the field, including
2-17 (.118) from three-point range. The Falcons were 20-25 (.800) from
the line. UWS, now 4-18 overall and 1-13 in the WIAC, was led by Cody
Kastern and Andrew Browning who each scored 14 points. Kastern led all
rebounders with 15.
The Falcons, now 14-9 overall and 8-6 in the WIAC, will next play at
UW-Stout on Wednesday, Feb. 19. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
Falcons Drop 77-70 Decision at UWEC
Feb. 8, 2003
The Falcon men's basketball team dropped a 77-70 WIAC decision at UW-Eau
Claire Saturday night.
UWRF trailed by 31-29 at halftime and UWEC outscored the Falcons 46-41
in the second half. UWRF was led by Rich Melzer who scored 39 points.
He also led both teams with 13 rebounds. He had two blocks and a steal.
He finished 15-23 from the field and 9-13 from the line. The only other
Falcon to score in double figures was Brian Mathison who had 10. UWRF
was 26-55 (.473) from the field, including 4-14 (.286) from three point
range. UWRF was 14-21 (.667) from the line. UWEC was led by Jason Larson
who scored 33 points and he had 11 rebounds. He was 9-18 from the field,
including 7-11 from three point range and 8-12 from the line. Andy Witte,
who had 10 rebounds, scored 13 points, Nate Beck scored 10 and Dan Archambault
scored 10 and had nine assists. UWEC also finished 26-55 (.473) from the
field and 8-22 (.364) from the line. UWEC, now 14-8 overall and 6-7 in
the WIAC, was 17-24 (.708) from the line.
The Falcons, now 13-9 overall and 7-6 in the WIAC, host UW-Superior on
Wednesday at the Karges Center with tip off set for 7 p.m.
Falcons Lose to UWSP, 74-61
Feb. 5, 2003
The Falcon men's basketball team lost a 74-61 WIAC decision to UW-Stevens
Point Wednesday night in Stevens Point.
The Falcons held a 37-31 lead at the half, but were outscored 43-24 in
the second half. Rich Melzer led the Falcons with 22 points and he had
eight rebounds. Matt Kukla scored 12 points. Jesse Lam scored 11 points.
The Falcons finished 21-47 from the field (.447) including 6-11 (.545)
from three-point range. They finished 13-21 (.619) from the line. UWSP
was led by Nick Bennett who scored 21 points and grabbed seven rebounds.
Jason Kalsow scored 20 points and had 11 rebounds. UWSP outrebounded the
Falcons, 38-18. Stevens Point is now 18-2 overall and 9-2 in the WIAC.
The Falcons, now 13-8 overall and 7-5 in the WIAC, play at UW-Eau Claire
on Saturday with tip off set for 7 p.m.
Falcons Lose to UWW, 71-63
Feb. 1, 2003
The Falcon men's basketball team lost a 71-63 WIAC decision to UW-Whitewater
Saturday night at the Karges Center.
The Falcons held a 34-22 lead at the half, but were outscored 49-29 in
the second half. Rich Melzer led the Falcons with 27 points and he had
five rebounds. He had four assists, three blocks and two steals. Matt
Kukla and Brian Mathison each scored 12 points. The Falcons finished 24-56
from the field (.429) including 3-14 (.214) from three-point range. They
finished 12-19 (.632) from the line. UWW was led by Aubrey Lewis-Byers
who scored 23 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Londen Donlow scored
20 points and had nine rebounds. Jonathan Hodges scored 12 points and
led UWW with 10 rebounds. UWW outrebounded the Falcons, 44-29.
The Falcons, now 13-7 overall and 7-4 in the WIAC, play at Stevens Point
on Wednesday. Game time is for 7 p.m.
Melzer Scores 54 in a Men's Hoops Win
Jan. 29, 2003
The Falcon men's basketball team beat UW-La Crosse, 81-65, Saturday night
in La Crosse.
Falcon Rich Melzer picked up 54 points and 16 rebounds. Melzer was 20-27
(.740) from the field and 14-16 (.875) from the line. UWRF was 31-53 (.585)
from the field and was 1-5 (.200) from three-point range. UWRF was 18-26
(.692) from the line. UW-La Crosse, now 5-14 overall and 1-9 in the WIAC,
was led by Casey Taggatz, who scored 29 points. Jason Scheunemann led
the Eagles in rebounds grabbing 13.
The Falcons, now 13-6 overall and 7-3 in the WIAC, play at UW-Eau Claire
on Saturday night with tipoff set for 7 p.m.
Falcons Defeat Oshkosh, 56-55
Jan. 25, 2003
The Falcon men's basketball team beat UW-Oshkosh Saturday night at Karges
Center. The score was 35-25 Oshkosh at the half. Throughout the second
half the Falcons were down by 10 or more until about 15 minutes into the
half. With just 1 minute left to play the Falcons were down by 2 points.
They fouled giving Oshkosh's Dain Christensen a chance at a free throw.
Christensen missed, and with 18 seconds left Falcon Matt Kukla shot one
from 3 point land and made it to win the game.
Rich Melzer led the team with 19 points and had 9 rebounds. Brian Mathison
and Micah Helfrey each had 8 points. UWRF was 21-41 (.512) from the field
and was 2-7 (.286) from three-point range. UWRF was 12-22 (.545) from
the line. UW-Oshkosh, now 14-4 overall and 5-4 in the WIAC, was led by
Tim Dworak, who scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds and Andy Fernholz
who scored 14 points.
The Falcons, now 12-6 overall and 6-3 in the WIAC, play at UW-La Crosse
on Wednesday night with tipoff set for 7 p.m.
Falcons Lose to Stout in Overtime
Jan. 22, 2003
The Falcon men's basketball team lost to Stout 88-79 in overtime Wednesday
night at Karges Center. The score was 67-66 River Falls with 1.6 seconds
to play in the second half when Barrington Smith was injured on a blocking
foul. Casey Chapman took the shots from the line for the Blue Devils.
He missed the first shot, but tied the game when he made the second. The
Blue Devils dominated the overtime scoring 21 points to the Falcons' 12.
Rich Melzer had a double-double tonight when he scored 34 points and
had 14 rebounds. Melzer was also 14-15 (.933) from the line. Brian Mathison
added 15 points for the Falcons. Jesse Lam had 12. UWRF was 26-65 (.400)
from the field, but struggled from three-point range shooting only 3-16
(.188). UWRF was 24-28 (.857) from the line. UW-Stout was 32-69 (.464)
from the field, including 11-25 (.440) from three-point range. UWS was
13-18 (.722) from the linee. UW-Stout, now 11-5 overall and 6-2 in the
WIAC, was led by Casey Chapman, who scored 27 points. Andy Brey had a
double-double scoring 22 points and grabbing 12 rebounds.
The Falcons, now 11-6 overall and 5-3 in the WIAC, host UW-Oshkosh on
Saturday night at the Karges Center with tipoff set for 7 p.m.
Falcons Get 77-70 Win Over UWP
Jan. 18, 2003
Matt Kukla scored 26 points to help lead the Falcon men's basketball
team to a 77-70 win over UW-Platteville Saturday night at the Karges Center.
Kukla tied the school record for the second time in three game with eight
three-pointers. He finished 8-9 from behind the arc. He was 9-11 from
the field. He also had four rebounds. Rich Melzer added 18 points and
a team-high five rebounds. He had three assists, one block and three steals.
Micah Helfrey scored 14 points and led the Falcons with four assists.
He had two steals. UWRF was 31-50 (.620) from the field, including 10-17
(.588) from three-point range. UWRF was just 5-11 (.455) from the line.
UWP, now 5-10 overall and 2-5 in the WIAC, was led by Tyler Selk who scored
22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.
The Falcons, now 11-5 overall and 5-2 in the WIAC, host UW-Stout on Wednesday
at the Karges Center with tipoff set for 7 p.m.
Falcons Win at UWS, 65-56
Jan. 15, 2003
Micah Helfrey scored 18 points to help lead the Falcons to a 65-56 win
at UW-Superior Wednesday night.
The Falcons held a slim 24-23 lead at the half, but outscored UWS 41-33
in the second half to get the win. Helfrey had five rebounds, five assists
and one steal in 34 minutes of action. Matt Kukla scored 17 points and
had four rebounds and five assists. Rich Melzer had another double-double
finishing with 15 points and 13 rebounds. He blocked three shots and had
five steals. UWRF was 26-59 (.441) from the field, including 7-18 (.389)
from three-point range. The Falcons were 6-7 (.857) from the line. Kukla
finished 5-10 from three-point range. UWS was led by Cody Kastern who
scored 15 points and grabbed six rebounds.
The Falcons, now 10-5 overall and 4-2 in the WIAC, host UW-Platteville
in a WIAC game at the Karges Center on Saturday. Game time is 7 p.m.
Kukla Scores 35 to Pace Falcons to
Win
Jan. 11, 2003
Falcon Matt Kukla scored a career high 35 points, hitting 8-14 three-pointers,
to help lead the men's basketball team to a 96-60 win over Marian College
Saturday afternoon at the Karges Center.
The eight three pointers in a game ties the Falcon school record. Kukla
finished 11-18 from the field and 5-5 from the line. He had four rebounds,
five assists and one steal in 29 minutes of action. Rich Melzer had a
double-double finishing with 23 points and 10 rebounds. He had two assists
and two blocks. Every Falcon who played, scored in the game. UWRF finished
35-62 (.565) from the field, including 11-27 (.407) from three-point range.
UWRF was a perfect 15-15 from the line. Marian was led by Mike Westerbeke,
who scored 14 points. Brian Crowe led the Sabres with seven rebounds.
MC was 21-49 (.429) from the field, including 5-17 (.294) from three-point
range. They finished 13-18 (.722) from the line.
The Falcons, now 9-5 overall and 3-2 in the WIAC, play a WIAC game at
UW-Superior on Wednesday with action starting at 7 p.m.
Falcons Top UWEC, 79-64
Jan. 8, 2003
The Falcons men's basketball team outscored UW-Eau Claire 50-35 in the
second half to break open the game and earn a 79-64 WIAC win at the Karges
Center Wednesday night.
The game was tied 29-29 at the half. UWRF was led by Rich Melzer who
scored 28 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Jesse Lam added 14 points, Matt
Kukla 12 and Micah Helfrey 11. UWRF finished 29-50 (.580) from the field,
including 4-7 (.571) from three-point range. The Falcons were 17-25 (.680)
from the line.
UWEC, now 10-3 overall and 3-2 in the WIAC, was led by Jason Larson who
scored 31 points. Dan Archambault added 14 points. Nate Beck led the Blugolds
with six rebounds. UWEC was 22-55 (.400) from the field, including 8-22
(.364) from three-point range. UWEC was 12-14 (.857) from the line. UWRF
outrebounded the Blugolds, 33-24.
The Falcons, now 8-5 overall and 3-2 in the WIAC, host Marian College
on Saturday at the Karges Center. Action starts at 3 p.m.
Falcons Lose to Whitewater
Jan. 4, 2003
The Falcons dropped a 86-75 decision to Whitewater in a WIAC game played
Saturday night at the Kachel Gym in Williams Center in Whitewater.
Whitewater held a 46-30 lead at the half. In the second half the Falcons
fought back scoring 45 points to Whitewaters 40, but time ran out with
the Warhawks ahead. UWRF was led by Rich Melzer who scored 35 points and
grabbed seven rebounds. Matt Kukla and Jesse Lam each had 11 points for
the Falcons. UWRF was 24-43 (.558) from the field, including 5-12 (.417)
from three-point range. UWRF was 22-32 (.688) from the line. Whitewater
was led by Aubrey Lewis-Byers who scored 28 points. Londen Donlow scored
22 points and had eight rebounds. Nicholas Smith and Earnest Williams
each scored 11 points. Whitewater is now 9-2 over all and 2-1 in the WIAC.
The Falcons, now 7-5 overall and 2-2 in the WIAC, face UW-Eau Claire
on Wednesday at home for a WIAC game that starts at 7 p.m.
Falcons Lose to St. Thomas
Dec. 30, 2002
The Falcons dropped a 77-72 decision to St. Thomas in the Cenex Harvest
States Championship game played Monday night at the Karges Center.
UST held a 37-34 lead at the half and outscored the Falcons 40-38 in the
second half to improve to 6-2 on the year. UWRF was led by Rich Melzer
who scored 25 points and grabbed eight rebounds. He had five assists.
Matt Kukla, who was 5-8 from three-point range, scored 15 points, had
five rebounds and five assists. Brian Mathison added 14 points. UWRF was
27-65 (.415) from the field, including 10-21 (.476) from three-point range.
UWRF was 8-11 (.727) from the line. St. Thomas was led by Mark Paulson
who scored 14 points. Jimmy Sioris scored 13 points and had eight rebounds.
Kevin Fitzgerald scored nine points and also grabbed eight rebounds.
In the third place game, Buena Vista topped Wisconsin Lutheran, 90-64.
The Falcons, now 7-4 overall and 2-1 in the WIAC, travel to UW-Whitewater
on Saturday for a WIAC game that starts at 7 p.m.
Falcons Top Wisconsin Lutheran
Dec. 29, 2002
The Falcons outscored Wisconsin Lutheran 51-28 in the second half to
earn an 82-65 win over the Warriors Sunday night at the Karges Center
in the Cenex Harvest State Tournament.
WLC (1-9) had a 37-31 lead at the half, but the Falcons dominated the
second half to get the win. Rich Melzer led the Falcons with a double
double scoring 25 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. Brian Mathison scored
13 points and had nine rebounds. Micah Helfrey added 12 points and six
assists. UWRF was 32-57 (.561) from the field, including 4-11 (.364) from
three-point range. UWRF finished 14-19 (.737) at the line. Jess Pfeifer,
who was 6-14 from three-point range, finished with 22 points to lead the
Warriors. UWRF had a 47-28 advantage in rebounding.
In the other semifinal game, St. Thomas (5-2) topped Buena Vista (4-2),
78-74.
The Falcons, now 7-3 overall,, will face St. Thomas in the championship
game of the Cenex Harvest States Tournament on Monday. Tip off is set
for 8 p.m. The third place game will feature Wisconsin Lutheran and Buena
Vista and that contest starts at 6 p.m.
Falcons Lose at Viterbo, 66-65
Dec. 14, 2002
The Falcons dropped a 66-65 decision at Viterbo College on Saturday night.
The Falcons had a 38-28 leead at the half, but were outscored in the
second half, 38-27. Rich Melzer led the Falcons with 19 points and 10
rebounds. Micah Helfrey and Jeff Holt each scored 13. Holt had four rebounds
and Melzer blocked two shots. UWRF was 22-53 (.415) from the field, including
8-19 (.421) from three-point range. UWRF was 13-19 (.684) from the line.
Viterbo was led by Justin Kirking who scored 20 points and Mark Kumlien
who scored 12 adn grabbed eight rebounds.
The Falcons, now 6-3 overall and 2-1 in the WIAC, will next host the
Cenex-Harvest States Tourney on Dec. 29-30 at the Karges Center. UWRF
plays Wisconsin Lutheran at 8 p.m. In the first game at 6 p.m. St. Thomas
faces Buena Vista.
Falcons Top La Crosse, 70-66
Dec. 11, 2002
The Falcons had four players score in double figures to get a 70-66 win
over UW-La Crosse Wednesday night at the Karges Center.
Rich Melzer led the Falcons with 10 poinss and he finished with 11 rebounds.
He had two assists and three blocks. Brian Mathison, who went 3-3 from
three-point range, scored 14 and had six rebounds. Matt Kukla, who was
3-6 from three-point range, had 14 points and three assists. Jesse Lam
scored 12 points and had seven rebounds and a blocked shot. UWRF was 22-49
(.449) from the field, including 6-10 (.600) from behind the arc. The
Falcons were 20-30 (.667) from the line.
UWLC, now 3-4 overall and 1-2 in the WIAC, was led by Casey Taggatz who
scored 15. He was 4-8 from three-point range. Eric Dougal and Rocky Bouldin
each scored 10. The Eagles were 26-63 (.413) from the field, including
11-22 (.500) from behind the arc. UWLC was 3-5 (.600) from the line. UWRF
had a 38-35 advantage in rebounds.
The Falcons, now 6-2 overall and 2-1 in the WIAC, play at Viterbo on
Saturday with tipoff set for 7 p.m.
Falcons Beat Titans, 79-71
Dec. 7, 2002
The Falcon men's basketball team outscored UW-Oshkosh by 10 in the second
half to defeat the Titans 79-71 Saturday afternoon in Oshkosh.
Rich Melzer and Micah Helfrey collaborated for 32 of the teams' 39 second-half
points, and Melzer finished with 34, his third game this season over 30
points. Melzer played all 40 minutes and pulled down 11 rebounds. Jesse
Lam had four boards.
The Falcons trailed 42-40 at the half, but took the lead for good with
6:33 left in the contest. UWRF went 11-for-13 at the free throw line in
the final three minutes. The last UWRF field goal was made with 3:15 to
go.
Helfrey was second in points for UWRF with 18. Matt Kukla and Kevin Becker
both had eight.
Chris Becker led in assists with four, followed by Melzer and Kukla with
three. Melzer also had three blocks. Chris Becker had a pair of steals.
The Falcons shot 72 percent from the field; UWO was 72.7 percent.
The Falcons, now 5-2 overall and 1-1 in the WIAC, host UW-LaCrosse Wednesday.
Game time is 7 p.m at the Karges Center.
Falcons Lose to UWSP, 71-63
Dec. 4, 2002
The Falcon men's basketball team opened WIAC play losing to UW-Stevens
Point, 71-63, Wednesday night at the Karges Center.
UWSP held a 41-33 lead at the half. UWRF was led in scoring by Rich Melzer
who netted 25 points. He was 8-18 from the field and 9-13 from the line.
Matt Kukla was the only other Falcon to score in double figures finishing
with 13. Jesse Lam led the Falcons with seven rebounds. UWRF was 21-50
(.420) from the field, including 7-15 (.467) from three-point range. UWRF
was 14-20 (.700) from the line. UWSP, now 5-0 overall and 1-0 in the WIAC,
had four players score in double figures led by Neal Krajnik and Jason
Kalsow who each scored 15. Josh Iserloth scored 11 and Ron Nolting 10.
Kalsow and Nick Bennett each had eight rebounds. UWSP was 25-46 (.543)
from the field, including 6-11 (.545) from three-point range. UWSP was
15-20 (.750) from the line. UWSP held a 31-24 advantage in rebounding.
The Falcons, now 4-2 overall and 0-1 in the WIAC, play at UW-Oshkosh
on Saturday. Game time is 3 p.m.
Falcons Beat Cabrini
Nov. 30, 2002
The Falcons earned a 67-64 win over Cabrini Saturday night in Daytona
Beach, Fla.
Rich Melzer led the Falcons in scoring with 28 points. He was 13-24 from
the field and 2-2 from the line. He also led the team with seven rebounds
and six blocked shots. Micah Helfrey scored 13 points and led the Falcons
wtih seven assists. Jesse Lam also scored in double figures finishing
with 11. He had five rebounds. Kevin Becker had three assists and five
steals. UWRF was 30-58 (.517) from the field, inlcuding 3-11 (.273) from
three point range. The Falcons wree 4-6 (.667) from the line. Cabrini,
now 2-2 this year, was led by Tim Maddox who scored 25 points. Brian Wood
led all rebounders with 14.
The Falcons, now 4-1 overall, open WIAC play on Wednesday when they host
UW-Stevens Point at 7 p.m. at the Karges Center.
Falcons Lose at Embry-Riddle, 80-77
Nov. 29, 2002
Rich Melzer scored 35 points but it wasn't enough as the Falcons lost,
80-77, at Embry-Riddle Friday night. The game was played in Daytona Beach,
Fla.
Melzer's 35 points was a season high and the total put him over the 1,000
point mark in his career. He now has scored 1,019 career points. He is
in his third year with the Falcons. In his freshman season he scored 344
points and added 561 points as a sophomore. He also led the Falcons with
10 rebounds. Matt Kukla scored 12 points and Jesse Lam added 10. Melzer
had three blocks, three steals and two assists. Micah Helfrey led the
Falcons with eight assists and he scored eight points. Kukla missed a
three pointer at the buzzer. UWRF was 29-55 (.527) from the field, including
6-17 (.353) from three point range. UWRF was 13-16 (.813) from the line.
E-R got 29 points from Harold Pierson and 25 points from Chinwuba Agba.
The Falcons, now 3-1 overall, play Cabrini at 6 p.m. on Saturday in Daytona
Beach, Fla.
Falcons Beat Macalester, 86-73
Nov. 26, 2002
Rich Melzer scored 31 points to help lead the Falcons to a 86-73 win
over Macalester Tuesday night at the Karges Center.
Melzer finished 13-20 from the field and 5-7 from the line. He also led
the Falcons with eight rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals.
Jesse Lam added 16 points and four rebounds. Matt Kukla scored 15 points
and finished with six rebounds and three assists. Kukla finished 5-8 from
three point range for all of his points. UWRF was 28-51 (.549) from the
field, including 7-16 (.438) from three point range. The Falcons were
23-32 from the line, led by Micah Helfrey who was 6-6.
The Falcons, now 3-0 overall, play Embry-Riddle at 8 p.m. on Friday in
Daytona Beach, Fla.
Falcons Top Northwestern, 79-60
Nov. 22, 2002
Rich Melzer scored 22 points while Micah Helfrey and Brian Mathison added
17 each to help the Falcons to a 79-60 win over Northwestern College Friday
night at the Bethel, Minn., College Tournament.
UWRF, 1-0 overall, led 44-30 at the half. Melzer was 10-18 from the field
and 2-5 from the line. He also had nine rebounds to lead the Falcons.
Helfrey was 6-8 from the field, including 2-3 from three-point range.
He was 3-5 from the line. He led the Falcons with five steals. Mathison
was 6-11 from the field and 5-8 from three point range. UWRF was 32-71
(.451) from the field and 10-25 (.400) from three point range. The Falcons
finished just 5-13 (.385) from the line.
The Falcons play Bethel at 8 p.m. on Saturday in the championship game.
Bethel beat Finlandia, 92-69 to advance to the title game.
Falcons Open Season at Bethel Tournament
Nov. 20, 2002
By Bob Burrows
Ask Falcon men's basketball coach Rick Bowen why he is excited about the
2002-03 season and the first thing he'll do is point to Rich Melzer.
"He's having a good pre-season," Bowen said about the junior,
who was named to the All-WIAC first team and NABC All-Midwest Region teams
a year ago. "I think this is one of the first times in my career
at River Falls that I've had one of the premier players in the league.
Not to take anything away from the guys who have been here in the past,
but Rich is 6-8."
But Bowen also knows that in order for the Falcons to be successful, they're
going to have to rely on a lot more than just Melzer.
"The one thing I can guarantee you will happen with Melzer, every
time he gets the ball in the low post he's going to be double- and triple-teamed,"
Bowen predicted. "Rich has to recognize when he has a shot and when
to kick it out. If we can establish an outside game, that will free things
up for Rich inside."
With that said, the Falcons will open the 2002-03 season Friday night
against Northwestern College of St. Paul Friday at 6 p.m. in the first
game of the Bethel College Tournament. Bethel and Finlandia (Mich.) play
the nightcap with the winners squaring off Saturday at 8 p.m. The Falcons
will open at home on Tuesday, Nov. 26, at 8 p.m. against Macalester in
the second game of a doubleheader with the Falcon women, who host Bethel
at 6 p.m.
Bowen's enthusiasm about the upcoming season is easy to understand if
you start with Melzer. The former All-Big Rivers Conference Player of
the Year at River Falls High School is a two-time All-WIAC pick who averaged
21.6 points and 7.8 rebounds a game as a sophomore. He is just 95 points
away from joining the school's exclusive 1,000 point club and is on pace
to finish his career among the top three in both scoring and rebounding
at UW-RF.
Melzer has been selected as a pre-season All-American by both Street &
Smith's Basketball Magazine and DIIIHoops.com.
But Bowen also has other reasons to be optimistic. Senior co-captain Brian
Mathison returns after starting every game last year while averaging 8.6
points and 3.4 rebounds a game. The 6-3 forward had back-to-back buzzer
beating three-pointers to lift the Falcons to a pair of wins last season
and scored in double figures in 11 games, with a season-high 18 points
against UW-Stevens Point.
"Brian Mathison is one of those unheralded guys who is just a good
player," Bowen said. We're going to need him."
The Falcons' biggest challenge entering the season is replacing All-WIAC
players Kent Becker and Edmund Johnson. Becker, who was named the WIAC
basketball Scolar-Athlete, started at guard for four years and finished
his career with 1,015 points. He also is the Falcons' career leader in
free throw percentage (.822) while Johnson is the school's all-time leader
in field goal percentage (.604).
Bowen dipped into the junior college level to try and fill the holes left
by the graduation of Becker and Johnson and the departure of Scott DeWyre
with a year of eligibility remaining. He brought in 5-9 Micah Helfrey
from Scottsdale (Ariz.) Community College to step into a starting guard
role while recruiting some inside presence in the form of 6-8 Grant Glazier
and 6-6 Nick Byl, both from Rochester, Minn., Community College. Guard
Josh Wacholz also joins the Falcons from Rochester Community and Technical
College.
"This was a unique year," Bowen said. "We had four junior
college kids, three from Minnesota and one from Arizona, who were very
interested in us and they fit. Two of them have some size - 6-6 and 6-8
- and another fits a desperate need we have at point guard. The recruiting
just kind of fell into place and that allowed me to redshirt our entire
freshmen class, and I like them."
Bowen said junior Kevin Becker has emerged from the shadow of his older
brother Kent to become one of the Falcons' best defensive players who
will be looked to contribute on offense as well.
In order for Bowen's plan to free up Melzer inside to work, he said the
Falcons will have to get some long-range production from senior co-captain
Tim Duncan and juniors Matt Kukla and Chris Becker, twin bother of Kevin.
"One of those three guys has to consistently provide us with a three-point
shooter," he said. "The one who does will play the bulk of the
time."
Sophomores Jesse Lam and Jeff Holt also return for the Falcons. Lam appeared
in all 26 games for the Falcons last season, averaging 3.5 points and
1.5 rebounds a game while Holt, an Elmwood High School graduate, saw action
in 13 games and scored a total of nine points.
Bowen said this season is shaping up as a dogfight in the battle for the
WIAC crown. Last year's tri-champions, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Whitewater and UW-Stevens
Point, are all ranked in the top 25 in the nation in the preseason poll
while the Falcons received honorable mention.
"The thing that really scares me is, we could be very good but could
still finish third or fourth," he said. "But I think we're capable
of challenging for a league title, and that's saying that with three teams
from our league
in the top 25 and we're not one of them."
Bowen said one thing he hopes carries over from last year is the fan support
at Karges Center.
"That's been one of the most rewarding things for me personally,"
he stated. "I hope that continues. "Obviously championship teams
have great fan support," he added. "Turning Karges Center into
a true home court advantage is something I think we can do. I think it's
been started."
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