RF, you're right that too many threes can be fatal, especially in that kind of game. But this was CUC's first time playing a "system team" (I don't care if we never play Grinnell!) and I'm glad they recovered from their shell shock as quickly as they did.

An entertaining game at Geiseman last night as CUC nipped Greenville 119-117. I've never liked "The System" style of play but it was an interesting game experience and the fans seemed to enjoy it.

Despite the high amount of turnovers this type of game produces, I liked CUC's overall approach. They did an excellent job driving to the basket and getting back on defense consistently. Guard play was tremendous, especially Justin Greenlee with 20 points and 14 rebounds (both career highs, I think).

Back to NACC play on Saturday with WLC coming to town. Conference play should be fun this year if not predictable (was surprised to see IIT knock off Norbert last night).

After two losses by a combined seven points, the CUC Cougars put it all together tonight in a 104-70 blowout of host Millikin. Jordan Matthews and Emanuel Wilson had big second halves to lead the Cougars with 22 and 21 respectively. However, my stat line of the game award goes to PG Justin Greenlee with 11 points, five boards, nine assists and no turnovers. Now that's a floor game!

Today's win hopefully signals the start of a winning streak for CUC as they begin conference play at St. Norbert on Tuesday and at IIT next Saturday.

An entertaining season opener at Geiseman yesterday as CUC edged Illinois College 93-88 in double OT.

NACC fans, keep an eye on Khaliah Reid this year. She'll make her share of freshman mistakes, but her ability and hustle can more than make up for them. Reid hit the game tying three at the end of regulation and finished with 25 points.

Mikalah Ellis' final season started out with a bang. She lead all scorers with 31 points, much of it going to the basket but also adding a couple of threes for good measure. Also coming up clutch for the Cougars were Ali MacGregor with nine points and 17 boards (14 on offensive end) and Prentciss Gates hitting 9-10 FTs, many of them in the late going.

Jalyn Patterson led the Lady Blues (1-1) with 21 points and 11 boards, followed by Ashlyn Wightman (14, 11) and Kendra Bass (14 points). The visitors played very competitively but were hurt by losing three of their starters to fouls in the extra sessions. Tough loss, but they should go on to have a good season.

Cougars now hit the road for five straight including a California trip. Be interesting to see their record when they play next home game on Nov. 28.

CUC gets off the schneid with an exciting 28-27 win v Eureka. Cougars score two TDs in the fourth including the go ahead with under a minute remaining, then survive last second FG attempt by Red Devils. Well deserved for the home fans after sitting through the Aurora debacle two weeks ago!

Or could it be Rockford voting for themselves? I think they're allowed to do that these days!

CUC 52, Benedictine 50, Cougars now 10-10, 8-5 NACC.

The Cougars were without Kate Benes and Mikalah Ellis tonight, while Melia Perry and Jaylene Wade combined for just 15 points on 6-23 shooting. And yet, the Cougars found a way to get it done. McKayley Hopkins led the way with 14 points, five boards and three steals in 39 minutes. Her speed and aggressive drives to the basket were just what the team needed. Alisyn McGregor (12 points, 13  boards) had some key fourth quarter buckets, and Sydney Lloyd sparked the team off the bench with eight points including a buzzer-beating halfcourt shot after entering the game with :03 left in the first quarter (part of a 9-0 run).

CUC 68 at Marian 61, Cougars now 8-6, 7-2 NACC.

After a one game absence, the Kate Benes show was on full display today, and the Cougars needed it! Benes scored 38 after a slow start and rescued the Cougars on a day when neither team shot particularly well. The scoring drops down to Melia Perry with 11 and Mikalah Ellis with 10, although Ellis hit a big three with 20 seconds left that effectively sealed the deal.

A big win for CUC with their next two games at Aurora and at home versus WLC.

No idea why no Benes last night. It's been a rough two weeks at CUC, hoping Benes will be back when Cougars play at Marian on Saturday.

CUW 76, CUC 55, Cougars now 7-5, 6-1 NACC.

The Cougars ceded their share of first place as very little went well for them today. Kate Benes went off for 27 points with a couple of her five threes coming from NBA distance. But outside of Mikalah Ellis' 17, Benes had little help. The Falcons got solid contributions from their front court players and also shot a fine 11-19 from long range, led by Reagan Obry's 5-6.

The Cougars now hit the road for three straight, starting Wednesday at Lakeland.

Dangler, I wish I knew, but I'm in the dark too. Privacy issues being what they are these days, I'm not sure we'll ever know. CUC has home game v Dominican scheduled for Tuesday and making up more than two games would make for a logistical mess.

CUC 76, Dominican 60, Cougars now 7-4, 6-0 NACC.

Looking at the teams' records going into the game, you might have expected the Cougars to win in a cakewalk. And yet, while CUC led from start to finish, the Stars were within four points midway through the fourth quarter. A strong closing burst by the home team put away any thoughts of an upset.

As WLC Alum noted, Kate Benes scored 22 points, but only six of those were in the second half. Alexis Desjarlait and Jaylene Wade picked up the slack though, finishing with 17 and 15 respectively. Also, Alisyn MacGregor corralled 21 rebounds and Mikalah Ellis 12 as CUC won the battle of the boards 59-41.

Concordia Wisconsin visits Geiseman on Saturday. Should be an interesting rematch as Cougars edged the Falcons in an early season match at Buuck.

Whittier 87, CUC 83, Cougars now 8-2.

I believe the above is correct. Trying to follow the Cal Lutheran broadcast of this neutral site game was extremely aggravating. No video at all, live stats had CUC names listed as Whittier players and vice versa.

As for on the floor, no Brent Hatten or Jordan Matthews tonight. Cougars were 9-29 on threes and missed some free throws down the stretch too.

Hoping the Cougars get healthy and can work through their difficulties as they return to conference play next week.

at Cal Lutheran 79, CUC 61, Cougars now 8-1.

On paper, a ninth straight win for CUC looked favorable, but the Cougars were sub-par in a few key areas in suffering their first loss.

The Kingsmen won on the glass 37-26. Fourteen of those boards were on the offensive end, resulting in 19 second-chance points. The Cougars lost the turnover battle 15-12, with the Kingsmen holding an 18-12 advantage in points off TOs. Finally, Cougars shot a chilling 6-26 from long range.

Jacob Collicott was only Cougar in double figures with 14 points while Jordan Matthews had a quiet night with seven points. Normal starter Brent Hatten did not play tonight, and the Cougars missed his 12.0 points and 3.8 rebounds.

The Cougars will try to start a new winning streak tomorrow night when they play Whittier College.

at North Central 83, CUC 74, Cougars now 6-4.

The Cougar women nearly pulled off a nice comeback win today, erasing a 12-point halftime deficit to take a seven-point lead with under eight minutes remaining. But it was too much Allison Pearson down the stretch as NCC went on a closing 27-11 run.

Jaylene Wade's three gave the Cougars a 63-56 lead at the 7:52 mark. The lead was still at six when Pearson scored the Cardinals' next 11 points including a trio of threes. Pearson had 17 in the quarter, 32 for the game, and the Cardinals scored 35 in the fourth quarter after a seven-point third.

Kate Benes led CUC with 22 points, followed by Wade with 19. Good news for Cougars was Mikalah Ellis with 11 points in 16 minutes off the bench. Ellis has been back only the last few games but today's game is a good sign of things to come. The Cougars return to conference play January 4 when they host Dominican.

Everyone have a Merry Christmas/Happy Hanukkah and enjoy your fill of those holiday tournaments!