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For MarshfieldAreaSports.com
WISCONSIN DELLS – The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point at Marshfield men’s basketball team toppled top-seeded Blackhawk Technical College of Janesville 81-72 to win the Wisconsin Collegiate Conference championship on Monday night at Just-A-Game Fieldhouse.
It was a slow start for both teams as some early nerves played a factor, leading to a 4-4 score five minutes into the game.
After dropping 43 points on Blackhawk in their last matchup, it was clear that the Talons were going to do all they could to slow do the Marauders leading scorer Owen Hanson (Marshfield). They often denied him ball down low or ran double teams at him once the ball found his hands.
After a couple great assists from Hanson, one to a diving Tyler Linzmeier (Columbus Catholic) for a layup and another to a wide-open Sam Everson (Menasha) at the 3-point line, the Marauders offense started to heat up. As the teams traded baskets back and forth, it was Brennen Peterson (Pittsville) who saved his best shooting for the biggest game of the year.
To close out the half and start the second half, Peterson hit four 3-pointers to build the Marauders’ lead. From there, Hanson and Everson handled the scoring inside as the size of the Marauders started to wear down the Talons.
Jake Skroch (Stratford) was a man among boys down low grabbing every rebound in sight, often leading to second-chance scores. The Talons showed a lot of fight and never gave up, but every time they tried to go on a run to get back in the game, the Marauders found a key stop or a key basket.
As the game came down to the final minutes, the Talons ramped up the pressure and gave the Marshfield one final push. However, a second-chance 3 by Cy Becker (Columbus Catholic) and back-to-back 3-pointers by Linzmeier squashed any hope remaining for the Talons.
Skroch was able to seal the game, and a stellar four-year career with the Marauders, at the free throw line. When the final seconds ticked off the clock, the Marauders were the 2024-2025 WCC champions. Everson led the Marauders with 25 points and 10 rebounds. Hanson added 21 points, 13 rebounds and six assists, Peterson chipped in 12 points while Linzmeier had nine points of his own. Skroch finished with nine points, 20 rebounds, and seven assists. Becker rounded out the scoring with five points.
The Marauders will say goodbye to four players to graduation this year – Everson, Peterson, Hanson and Skroch.