The Collegian

Issue date: 12/4/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Andrew Dodson Junior Luke Laser bounced back after an injury last season, and looks forward to this week's play.

The Charger men's basketball team entered Thanksgiving break with a 2-1 record.

After winning an opening-day nail-biter, the team headed to the University of Indianapolis Nov. 22 to take on the Greyhounds and picked up a convincing 20-point win, 75-55. Tuesday, Nov. 25, the tables turned as Hillsdale fell, 82-60, to Bellarmine at home.

The team looks to rebound after the convincing loss with a home game tonight in Jesse Philips Arena against Lake Superior State University.

"We're really looking to shut them down," senior captain Tony Gugino said. "And bounce back from last Tuesday - not let that happen again."

Gugino said, in order to grab a win, the Chargers will have to focus on containing two down-low players for the Lakers, which will require solid defense from the entire team.

"They run a lot of lobs and what-no," he said. "Really we're just going to work, help each other out. I think we'll be fine. I'm not too worried about it, but if you're not ready, they'll getcha."

Head coach John Tharp said defense was lacking in Tuesday's loss.

"We broke down defensively that entire game," he said. "We especially broke down in the second half."

At the same time, Tharp was quick to give Bellarmine praise for their effort and talent.

"They controlled the tempo, and they were more physical than us," he said. "I liked their team - they had good athletic ability."

The Chargers will not have to worry about facing the hard-nosed team again this season unless the two teams meet in the NCAA tournament - a tournament Tharp said he believes Bellarmine will be a part of.

A much more pleasing defensive performance for the Chargers came last Saturday against the Greyhounds.

"We won it on the defensive end," senior center Chris Skaggs said. "They couldn't get into their offense at all. They weren't hitting shots."

Tharp backed up Skaggs' assessment and also said the team was hitting the right, up-beat notes at Indy.

"We were particularly good in the defensive end," Tharp said. "We had good energy. We were sharp."

Continued...

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