Mustangs end Swamp Foxes’ Cinderella season

March 18, 2011

HUTCHINSON, KAN. – The book has closed on Waycross College’s Cinderella season.

Two free throws by Western Wyoming in the closing seconds propelled the Mustangs into the finals of the NJCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament consolation bracket by defeating the Swamp Foxes, 65-61.

“That was one of the most physical games I have seen in my two years at Waycross College,” said head coach Cory Baldwin. “Both teams are hard-nosed, mentally tough, and play a lot on the inside. Every made shot, missed shot, and turnover was big.”

Joe Williams led the Swamp Foxes with 24 points, nine rebounds, and one blocked shot. Williams shot 55 percent from the field and was perfect at the free throw line. Josh Mendenhall finished with 15 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and one block. Mendenhall also had a good shooting night by averaging 58 percent from the field.

For the third consecutive game, the Swamp Foxes (27-9) played even with their opponent for the first ten minutes. A basket by the Mustangs with 10:54 left in the first half sparked a 9-0 run and gave Western Wyoming a 23-14 lead. The Mustangs’ lead grew to ten points late in the first half before baskets by Williams and Bob Covin closed the gap to 30-24 just before halftime.

WC opened the second half with a 13-4 run in the first 3:40 to grab a 37-34 lead. On the next possession, a Western Wyoming three-pointer tied the game at 37-37 with 15:37 remaining. The remainder of the second half was a back-and-forth affair with neither team able to extend its lead beyond four points.

With :35 remaining and the Swamp Foxes trailing, 62-60, Mendenhall was fouled as he grabbed an offensive rebound following a miss by Rachard Lofton. After making the first free throw, the second slowly bounced off the side of the rim and was followed by an apparent tip-in by Williams to give the Swamp Foxes the lead. Officials waved off Williams’ shot due to basket interference.

“That was real close. When I saw it in real time, it looked like Joe tipped it in. We’ll watch the game on film to see if there was interference,” said Baldwin.

A foul by the Swamp Foxes with :17 left on the clock sent the Mustangs to the free throw line for a chance to extend their lead. After making the first free throw, the Mustangs missed the second and Mendenhall grabbed the rebound with WC trailing, 63-61.

As time was running out, the Swamp Foxes drove the length of the court with one final chance to win or send the game into overtime. Williams’ shot missed and the Mustangs were fouled on the rebound. The ensuing free throws by Western Wyoming with :02 remaining sealed the win.

“Joe had a good look at the basket. It just didn’t go in,” said Baldwin.

Free throw shooting was one area that plagued the Swamp Foxes throughout the tournament. Baldwin said he believed each team’s ability to get to the line was a big difference.

“We only attempted six free throws the entire game,” he said. “They (Western Wyoming) made 18 out of 27 shots. Free throws were the difference.”

Foul trouble was another problem for WC. Reco Lewis, Lofton, and Mendenhall had each picked up their fourth foul by the 6:54 mark in the second half. Lewis fouled out one minute later.

“Joe, Josh, and Reco’s time was somewhat skewed during the game because of foul trouble,” said Baldwin. “We’re a physical team, so we were trying to get used to the way the officials were calling the game while the officials were getting used to how we play.”

Baldwin said while there was a somber mood in the locker room after the game, he is proud of the way his players battled all season and through postseason play.

“The farther you go in the postseason, the more games you play and the more meaning each game has,” he said. “The guys wanted to finish as one of the top eight teams in the tournament, so they didn’t get to reach that goal. But I am proud of how they played all season.”

In addition to praising his players, Baldwin praised the fan support his team received all season. He said the support was especially strong during the Swamp Foxes’ conference and national tournament runs.

“It was special to see how the fans supported us by coming to our games, watching the national tournament, or by sending us messages through Facebook,” said Baldwin. “Swamp Fox fever has definitely started, and it’s cool to be a part of it.”

Waycross College has been a proud member of the University System of Georgia since the college’s founding in 1976.