The tenth-ranked Washington University men’s basketball team improved to 6-1 this weekend, defeating Coe College 100-80 Friday and dominating Wisconsin Lutheran College 97-66 Saturday.
The WU starters, all five of which are juniors and captains, controlled the contest. Center Jarriot Rook blocked four shots to break a WU all-time career record. Rook’s 154 blocks surpassed the record 152 set by that Fred Amos in 1985. He posted 21 points, seven rebounds and two steals as well.
In addition to six rebounds and three blocks, guard Dustin Tylka dropped seven threes and tallied a game-high 27 points. Chris Jeffries contributed 26 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Matt Tabash, at point, had nine assists and three steals.
Within three seconds of the beginning of the Coe game, Rook passed to Joel Parrott, who sank a three and ignited WU’s early 9-2 lead. Rook, who only shot from behind the arc once last season, nailed a three of his own later in the half. Tylka hit one with 1:28 on the clock to put the Bears up by 21, the widest lead of the half. However, the story of the half was WU’s inside game.
“Our coaches did a good job scouting them,” said Jeffries. “Everything [Coe] did we saw coming. We knew that initially they weren’t going to pressure me in the post.”
Therefore, Jeffries dominated the paint as power forward, putting up three jumpers and six layups.
As the Bears lead 47-31 at half, Rook heard his record revealed. He was aware he was nearing the record but had not realized just how close he was.
“When they announced it at half time I was surprised because I didn’t know for sure,” said Rook. “But we were warming up for the second half, and right when they announced it I shot an air ball.”
Jeffries opened the second half with a jumper and dunked off a pass from Tabash. However, the Bears’ offensive attack soon shifted to the outside.
“I had a great inside game in the first half,” said Jeffries. “Then, they started coming to me more aggressively. And, if Tylka, Tabash or Barry [Bryant] have the open three, they’re going to take it. I expect them to, and that was the case. With all of their guys trying to come and pressure me, it was easy for me to kick it out to them for the open jump shot.”
Tylka scored 17 points during 15 minutes in the final half. He drove in a layup and connected on 5 of 8 threes. Tabash and Parrot added a pair of threes and Rook also hit his second one.
Coe looked to answer through more aggressive offense. With 6:39 remaining, guard Josh Stanek brought the game as close as 81-69 by sinking one of Coe’s six threes in the half.
The Kohawks improved from 34.4 to 51.4 percent field goal shooting in the second half. However, WU shot a solid 55.9 percent to keep Coe in check. With 19 points Stanek led Coe, now 2-4.
Saturday night, Wisconsin Lutheran hit only 30.9 percent from the field, as WU dominated the game. WLC guard Kevin Christensen led everyone in scoring with 23 points, but WU shot 63.2 percent from the floor, as five players finished in double figures and the bench tallied 44 points.
Bryant, a sophomore, came in for 14 minutes to lead the Bears with a career-high 16 points. Rook, with 13 points, and Jeffries, with 12, also pulled down 10 rebounds apiece for double-doubles. Parrott scored 12, and Tylka scored 11 points.
The Bears began as they had ended Friday, with Tabash setting Jeffries up with the dunk and the guards knocking down threes. WU took off on a 27-5 run, reversing the Warrior’s early 3-2 lead. The home team marked a 27-point margin until Christensen’s three at the buzzer closed the half 51-27. The Warriors could never close the gap in the second half.
Head coach Mark Edwards said after the game, “Our defense really bothered, took them out of their offense, and eventually dominated their game. We countered what they did very quickly and put them in such a hole they didn’t have a chance.”
Junior Nick Guerts then passed to junior Michael Kriss for a layup and pushed the lead to 36, before winning by 31.
Edwards noted the Bear’s significant advantage in height and strength. However, Jeffries said, “I don’t think we really used that too much. Pretty much we just ran them. We got the ball out quick because we knew all five of them could not go with all five of us.” The Bears outscored the Warriors 6-14 on fast breaks, and Tabash kept the offense moving.
“Each player helped us win this game, but the point guard leadership this weekend was outstanding. Matt Tabash ran the show. He got the people where he wanted them, he took the ball into the press, made it to the paint, and cut the trapping. He was a major factor in how this team came together,” said Edwards.
Tabash collected four steals and created six shots Saturday, and had 12 points for the weekend.
“I think we need to use these two games, just like we used the loss [to Hanover, Sunday, Nov. 25] to get ready for the next game,” said Edwards.
His team will take on Webster University tonight in St. Louis, and then play at home again next Saturday, Dec. 8.
“Our next home game is against our archrival, Illinois Wesleyan, who we have not beaten in ten years. I’d really like to see the students come out and support us for that game,” said Edwards.
Contact Renee at [email protected]