The Collegian

Issue date: 3/5/09 Section: Sports

Freshman guard Tyler Gerber helped lead the Chargers all season. After Tuesday's loss, the team awaits Sunday's answer to move on in the season.

Charger basketball accomplished something this season no other men's basketball team in the school's history had been granted. They hosted a GLIAC tournament game for the first time Tuesday night. Despite a large crowd and a rowdy atmosphere, Michigan Technological University's searing shooting burned the Chargers, 69-54.

"It was unfortunate the way we played," assistant coach Dan Evans said. "We didn't come out and rebound and defend the way we needed to to win. I don't care who you play - in March, you'll get beat."

Evans blamed early defensive lapses for giving the Huskies a belief in their ability to win.

"We didn't contain penetration the way we needed to," he said. "Early on we let them believe they could win. When teams get confidence, they play better."

Senior Evan Steward said he thinks the Chargers just were not ready to play. Distractions took them away from their game.

"I think we got involved in a lot of other stuff instead of actually just going out and playing," he said. "We were not really ready to play basketball. We were hyped up and stuff."

Even with the loss, the team still has hope in continuing the season by making the NCAA Division II tournament, though they rely on other teams to get there. Evans said the team will know Sunday night if their season is finished.

The top eight teams in each region go to the NCAA tournament. Entering the GLIAC tournament, the Chargers sat in the eighth spot. Whether or not they make the tournament rests in the hands of other squads, namely Lewis University and Grand Valley State University.

"Lewis and GVSU were right behind us," Steward said. "So it kinda depends on what happens with them. The more games they have to play in and win, the better the chances are for them."

GVSU defeated Ferris State University Tuesday night, but there is still a chance for the Charger men depending on what happens from here on out.

Back tracking to Saturday - senior day -the men hosted Ashland University and defeated them 89-63.

"We had guys diving for loose balls all over the floor," Tharp said. "We came out on both sides of the ball - we were as good as we can play, especially for the first 15 minutes."

Earlier in the week, the Chargers routed visiting Tiffin University, 96-54.

Senior Chris Skaggs described the mentality with which the team entered the last week of the regular season.

"We went in with the attitude of taking it one game at a time," he said. "Do our end of the deal and hope some teams get beat so we can get in the regional tournament."

Unfortunately the team's hopes now rest solely in the hands of others. The wait is not fun.

"It's just kind of weird," Steward said. "To put a pause on practice. We got Wednesday and Thursday off, then Friday we'll get together and do something on the court. Everyone wants to play again. It would definitely be a good thing. We're just waiting and letting our bodies recover a little bit. We'd definitely like to be playing right now."

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