The Oberlin Review
<< Front page Sports December 7, 2007

Oberlin Loses to #25 Wooster

Looks are deceiving. Despite a winless start to the campaign, the men’s basketball team has shown some improvement in the last two games.

“We move the ball a lot better; [we] don’t turn it over as much as we did in the past,” said Head Coach Isaiah Cavaco.

First-year James Tompsett leads the team in shooting at almost 52 percent, while first-year forward Ryan Magiera is averaging close to seven points a game. Cavaco has been pleased with the continual improvement of the first-year players.

“Our guys who don’t have a lot of game experience are getting a lot more comfortable,” explained Cavaco.

Unfortunately, the team’s shooting woes continue; the team is shooting an uninspired 35 percent from the field.

On Saturday’s Hawaiian night, Oberlin lost to non-conference opponent Adrian College 54-85. The Yeomen kept the game tight through much of the first half, trading buckets with the Bulldogs. Late in the second quarter, the Bulldogs went on a 22-3 run, which effectively took Oberlin out of the game. The Yeomen were down by 20 at the half.

“[The loss was] self inflicted. We killed ourselves with turnovers,” added Cavaco.
Oberlin was led by Magiera, who had 13 points. Dwight Van Hoesen had a game 19 for the Bulldogs.
Adrian was able to hold the Yeomen at bay in the second half. Both teams shot a similar percentage, but the Bulldogs dominated the offensive glass.

On Wednesday, Dec. 5, Oberlin lost its conference opener to the nationally ranked College of Wooster 54-94. Oberlin rushed many of its shots and could not get into a comfortable rhythm. Oberlin was again out rebounded, a problem that has plagued them all season. The Yeomen shot 30 percent from the field.
The Scots were led by Devin Faulk and Dustin Geitgey, who shot a blistering 8-8 from beyond the arc. Junior Mike Loll was Oberlin’s highest scorer with 16 points. Oberlin will not face Wooster again this year unless the teams meet up in NCAC playoffs.

The Yeomen’s next game is Saturday, Dec. 8 against conference rival Earlham College.
Cavaco is confident the Yeomen can bounce back from their rough run and exploit Earlham’s weaknesses to have a breakout game.

“Earlham is really big and slow,” said Cavaco. “We will be able to play at a slower tempo, a tempo we are more comfortable with.”

With conference play just starting, the Yeomen know they must start turning their game around to improve upon a 0-7 record, 0-1 in conference play.

 
 
   

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