A dismal defensive performance and lights-out three-point shooting proved too much for the College of DuPage Chaparrals men’s basketball team in an upset loss to Milwaukee Area Technical College. COD started the Feb. 6 game on a hot streak, but the Chaps cooled down quickly as the Stormers started to let it rain from deep.
The Chaparrals had a 17-7 record and were riding a two-game win streak, the last one coming in overtime against Rock Valley, where they were down by 13 but rallied to secure the the first team win over Rock Valley in over 13 seasons. For the Stormers, they’ve had an underwhelming season so far, sitting at 9-14 on the season, but were coming off a recent win against Harper College (77-71).
Braylen Meredith won the tip for DuPage, and Terence Spencer didn’t waste any time by scoring a layup in the first four seconds of the game. Charles Farrell made three consecutive splash plays from behind the arc, owning nine of COD’s first 11 points. Milwaukee had to call an early timeout to stop the early bleeding (11-3). DuPage went up by 10 after a strong drive by Ramone Enis (13-3).
The Stormers went on a run to get within three after sloppy offensive possessions by COD (16-11). COD head coach Joe Kuhn called a timeout to stop the run and give his defense a break. Milwaukee still found ways to get to the baskets and take open shots from the three-point zone, grabbing the lead with 11 minutes in the first half (18-19). DuPage snatched the lead right back thanks to a couple of shots by Greg Strong and Adyn McGinley (24-21).
The Stormers’ three-point shooting kept them in the game early, mostly by Dane Dailing and Noah Daniels. Milwaukee took the lead with five minutes left in the first half (34-36). COD’s offense couldn’t find the basket, and the defense couldn’t stop a sentence with a period if they had to. The first half ended with COD down by 12 (40-52).
COD needed to start the second half strong and keep the momentum. Ben Zielinski popped a three-pointer to start it off for the Chaps, but the Stormers’ fast-paced offense continued to frustrate DuPage’s defense. Still, after a McGinley three, COD was only down by two with 10 minutes left in the game (63-65).
Milwaukee then went on a 6-0 run and the game wasn’t looking in the Chaparral’s favor, until their defense clutched up and gave them one last fighting chance. Five quick points by Meredith put them within five points of Milwaukee (68-73). COD’s Cameron Chandler made both his free throws after getting fouled (70-73).
Milwaukee called a timeout with 4:24 left in the game. Right out of the timeout, Dailing made back-to-back threes for Milwaukee, widening the lead to nine with three minutes left in the game (74-83).
Dailing made another deep three for the Stormers, making his game total 10-13 from three. Dailing came into the game 11-62 on the season. McGinley made a three from the right wing to get back within nine with 1:05 on the clock. Farrell fouled right away to put Milwaukee at the line for the bonus. COD got the rebound off the miss, and Meredith went coast to coast for the easy two (88-93). DuPage fouled again in hopes of making a comeback, but Milwaukee sank both free throws, which sealed the game for the Stormers. The final score was 88-95 in the Stormers’ favor.
“They were beating us in transition; it was like a track meet. No. 12 [Dailing] had a career game, and that’s how it goes some time; all you can think about is the next game.” said Meredith.
Coach Kuhn said, “We’ve felt we could’ve bounced back, being down 12 at the half. Our offense made some big plays that gave us the opportunity; no. 12 for them [Dailing] shot lights out from three by going 10-13 from three, which was probably a lot of the difference in the ball game.”
DuPage starts back up with three straight road games starting at Judson University, ending at Madison College, and also having a date in the middle with South Suburban College.
