Traverse City Record-Eagle

College Sports

January 5, 2009

College Notes: Morse finds long-distance code

Harbor Springs grad hits record nine 3-pointers

TRAVERSE CITY -- Find it and fill it.

It didn't take Lake Superior State senior guard Mark Morse long to find his 3-point range during Saturday's Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference men's basketball home opener.

The Harbor Springs product drilled six of his eight attempts from 3-point territory in the first half. For the game, Morse hit a school-record nine 3-pointers in 11 tries as the Lakers cruised to a 102-74 victory over Saginaw Valley State.

Four other players had connected on eight 3-pointers in a game for Lake Superior State.

As a result, Morse was named the GLIAC North Division player of the week. Morse is fourth in the conference in 3-pointers made per game (2.9) and 3-point percentage (.485).

Morse matched his career-high in scoring, netting 29 points for LSSU (7-4, 4-2 GLIAC). In addition, Morse had four assists, two rebounds and a block.

Freshman center Mike Boylan (Grayling) added two rebounds for the Lakers. Freshman forward John Eisenga (McBain) had two points and three rebounds for Saginaw Valley State (1-9, 1-5).

-- Army's hockey team upset No. 2-ranked Miami of Ohio 3-2 on Saturday in the consolation game of the Ohio State Tournament.

Sophomore forward Cody Omilusik (TC Central) had the first two goals of the game for the Knights (5-12-1), his eighth and ninth of the season. The first goal by Omilusik was short-handed, one of two Army had with a man-down against the RedHawks (12-5-3).

Omilusik also had a short-handed goal for Army in a 4-1 loss to Massachusetts in the consolation game of the Dartmouth Tournament on Dec. 29.

-- Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford threw three second-half touchdown passes to lead the Bulldogs to a 24-12 victory over Michigan State at the Capital One Bowl on New Year's Day.

Sophomore linebacker Eric Gordon (TC West) had five tackles in the game, four of which were solo. Gordon also sacked Stafford for a 5-yard loss on third down to thwart Georgia's opening drive of the game.

Gordon finished the season as the second-leading tackler for the Spartans (9-4) with 85 stops, 41 of which were solo. He also had 71/2 tackles for losses, three sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, three pass break-ups and three quarterback hurries.

-- Led by 18 points and 10 rebounds from junior center Meghan Hoblet (Cadillac), the Alma College women's basketball team posted a 58-54 overtime victory over Calvin on Saturday in a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association contest.

Hoblet also had two steals, one assist and one block for the Scots (3-7, 2-1 MIAA).

Junior guard Amber Benthem (McBain Northern Christian) had 10 points, four rebounds and one assist for Calvin (6-5, 1-3).

Calvin was coming off a split of two tournament games in Orlando, Fla.

Benthem had two points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals in a 67-53 loss to Wisconsin-Whitewater on Tuesday and three points, sixsists and seven rebounds in a 71-35 rout of Clark the day before.

-- Sophomore guard-forward Jo'ell Cruse (Inland Lakes) scored 15 of her team-high 22 points in the second half as Kirtland Community College rolled to an 84-71 win over Mott CC on Saturday in a Michigan Community College Athletic Association women's basketball game.

Cruse added seven rebounds, one assist and one steal for the Firebirds (8-3, 2-1 MCCAA).

-- The Adrian College women's hockey team improved to 8-4-1 with a 6-0 shutout victory over Saint Mary's (Minn.) on Sunday.

Sophomore forward Jenna Corbin (Cheboygan) scored her first goal of the season for the Bulldogs.

-- Ferris State had plenty of help from a pair of local players to beat Colgate 4-3 in a shootout in Saturday's consolation game of the Catamount Cup hockey tournament in Vermont.

Sophomore defenseman Zach Redmond (TC Central) had assists on all three power-play goals in regulation by the Bulldogs (9-9-4), giving him 14 helpers for the season. Senior wing Corey Couturier (TC Central) also had an assist, his third of the season, on the first goal by FSU.

-- Host Notre Dame won the Shillelagh Tournament by beating Union (N.Y.) on Friday and Minnesota-Duluth on Saturday by identical 3-1 scores.

Senior center Justin White (TC West) had the first goal for the Irish (16-3-2) in Friday's victory. It was the fourth goal of the season for White.

-- Junior forward Christine Spencer (TC Central) helped the California-Santa Barbara (6-6) women's basketball team get off to a 2-0 start to the Big West season.

Spencer had six points in a 47-40 win over California-Riverside and in a 66-48 triumph over Long Beach State on Friday. Spencer added four rebounds against Riverside and seven boards, two assists, one block and one steal versus LBSU.

-- Michigan's women's basketball team fell to 1-2 in the Big Ten with a 76-58 loss to Penn State on Sunday. Junior guard Kalyn McPherson (TC West) had two rebounds, one block and one assist for the Wolverines (8-6).

-- Junior guard Brandon Herlein (Cadillac Heritage Christian) had six points, four rebounds, four steals and three assists as Grace Bible College (12-8) upset Ferris State 86-80 on Saturday.

Junior forward Austin Randel (McBain) had four points, four rebounds and one assist for Ferris (3-6).

-- Even after the holidays, Cornerstone junior guard Corbin Donaldson (Petoskey) was still in the giving mood.

Donaldson had nine assists, three rebounds, two points and one steal as the Golden Eagles (10-6) routed Kuyper College 110-55 on Saturday.

-- The Grand Rapids Community College women's basketball team improved to 9-3 after a 77-63 victory over Jackson CC on Saturday.

Freshman forward Courtney Stocking (Kingsley) filled up the stat sheet with 11 points, seven rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two steals. Freshman guard Natalya Waurzyniak (Kingsley) added four points, three rebounds and one assist and freshman forward Tessa Walsh (Gaylord) two rebounds and one assist.

-- It was a win and a loss for the Kalamazoo College men's basketball team at the Washington & Lee tournament. Sophomore forward Drew Mitchell (Northport) had three points, four rebounds and one steal in the Hornets 64-46 loss to the host school on Friday.

-- Sophomore guard Nicole Marshall (Frankfort) had eight points, two rebounds, two steals and one assist to help Lake Superior State roll to an 83-37 victory over Saginaw Valley State on Saturday.

Sophomore forward Jill Walton (Kingsley) added three points, one rebound and one block and freshman guard Meghan Thomas (East Jordan) one point, one rebound and one assist for the Lakers (9-5, 2-4 GLIAC).

-- Olivet played up a division on Tuesday, losing 84-66 to Northwood. Senior forward Brandon McClary (Bellaire) had 20 points, five rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal for the Comets (5-6).

-- Freshman guard Robert Phillips (Gaylord) had eight points, two steals, one rebound and one assist in Kirtland Community College's 59-37 loss to Mott CC on Saturday. The Firebirds are 3-9 and 0-3 in the MCCAA.

-- Brown lost its first game of 2009, dropping a 68-53 decision to American on Friday. Senior forward Scott Friske (Charlevoix) had five points, three rebounds and two assists for the Bears (5-7).

-- Western Michigan's women's basketball team concluded non-conference play with a 67-66 overtime loss to North Carolina Central on Tuesday. Sophomore forward Brenna Banktson (Frankfort) had seven points, four rebounds, four assists and one steal for the Broncos (4-9) while junior forward Jenny Loney (Frankfort) added three points, three boards, one block and one steal.

-- Freshman forward Dustin Dibble (Petoskey) had two points and one steal in Missouri-Kansas City's 72-69 loss to Indiana-Purdue-Indianapolis on Wednesday. The Kangaroos are 5-12 overall and 1-3 in the Summit League.

-- The Central Michigan men's basketball team was no match for Kentucky on Dec. 29, losing 84-52. Junior guard Robbie Harman (TC Central) had five points, three assists, one steal and one rebound for the Chippewas (3-9).

Text Only
  • Oregon feels right for Fisher

    Jake Fisher went to Oregon last weekend and came home a Duck. The Traverse City West standout ended a whirlwind month of recruiting on Wednesday when he signed his national letter of intent to play football at the University of Oregon.

    Continued ...
    Feb 3, 2011 8:35 am
  • MSU won't surprise anyone next year

    Michigan State was an unexpected Final Four participant after fighting through injuries to several key players. The Spartans won't surprise anyone next season. Only one key player, Raymar Morgan, was a senior on a team that lost to Butler.

    Continued ...
    Updated Apr 5, 2010 7:11 am 1 Photo
  • Glads Greiner relishes tourney trip

    When a national champion is crowned on Monday and the 2010 NCAA tournament comes to a close, it will have a special meaning for Holden Greiner. After all, it was a tournament he was a part of. Greiner, a Traverse City St. Francis alum, helped Lehigh to a school-record 22 victories and its first appearance in the NCAA tournament since 2004. Not bad for a true freshman.

    Continued ...
    Updated Apr 3, 2010 12:40 am 1 Photo
  • James Cook: Don't worry about Izzo leaving

    Tom Izzo isn't going anywhere " except likely to a few more Final Fours.

    Continued ...
    Updated Apr 3, 2010 12:40 am 1 Photo
  • Desire runs deep for Izzo, Spartans

    The best coach in college basketball doesn't bother with formulas. One ingredient is all Tom Izzo needs. "If it doesn't hurt, if it isn't painful to go through a practice, you haven't done enough. You're not going to this level. You're going to win your 20 games," he said. "Big deal."

    Continued ...
    Updated Apr 2, 2010 7:22 am 1 Photo
  • Thursday, April 1, 2010
  • In the IZZONE

    Despite his success, fame and fortune, Michigan State coach Tom Izzo is still an approachable guy. His cell phone vibrates constantly, and his windowed office on campus gives friends and strangers a chance to knock on the glass and give him a big thumbs-up. There have been a lot of those lately.

    Continued ...
    Apr 1, 2010 7:22 am 1 Photo
  • Thursday, March 25, 2010
  • Sports In Brief: 03/26/2010

    TC's Lansbach goes to Pepperdine; TC's Paliafito signs with Sacred Heart

    Continued ...
    Updated Mar 25, 2010 11:40 pm
  • Monday, March 15, 2010
  • MSU, Merchant anxious for draw

    Traverse City native Suzy Merchant expects her Michigan State Spartans to be at least a No. 5 seed when the NCAA women's basketball tournament pairings are announced tonight.

    Continued ...
    Updated Mar 15, 2010 7:26 am 1 Photo
  • Thursday, February 4, 2010
  • Bullough among 21 signed by Spartans

    Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio is sure the off-the-field headlines that embarrassed his program last season didn't hurt him on the recruiting trail, which included signing linebacker Max Bullough from Traverse City St. Francis.

    Continued ...
    Feb 4, 2010 7:30 am
  • Tuesday, January 12, 2010
  • TC's Redmond honored by CCHA

    Ferris State University junior Zach Redmond (Traverse City) has been chosen as the Central Collegiate Hockey Association's (CCHA) Defenseman of the Week.

    Continued ...
    Jan 12, 2010 7:15 am
  • Tuesday, December 22, 2009
  • Glass: We got what we wanted

    Quite possibly one of the best women's volleyball title matches ever capped one of the most remarkable runs in college sports for a program that keeps making history.

    Continued ...
    Dec 22, 2009 7:40 am 1 Photo
  • Monday, December 21, 2009
  • Leland's Glass dishes out 53 assists

    Penn State players scurried for scissors to cut down the nets, ran for volleyballs left behind and moved quickly to secure pieces of banners around the arena. Everyone wanted a piece of history. They were the only ones who got it.

    Continued ...
    Dec 21, 2009 7:35 am 2 Photos
  • Saturday, December 19, 2009
  • Glass, Penn State win national title

    Penn State became the first team to win three straight volleyball titles Saturday night, overcoming a two-set deficit to beat Texas in five and extend its record winning streak to 102 straight games.

    Continued ...
    Dec 19, 2009 11:15 pm
  • Friday, December 18, 2009
  • Glass to play for 3rd straight title

    Penn State and Leland's Alicia Glass moved one win away from setting another record, earning the chance for a third straight national championship by beating Hawaii Thursday night.

    Continued ...
    Dec 18, 2009 7:25 am
  • Tuesday, December 15, 2009
  • Glass, Penn State closer to 3-peat

    A 100th straight victory over the weekend moved the record-setting Penn State women's volleyball team a step closer to an unprecedented third straight NCAA title.

    Continued ...
    Dec 15, 2009 7:25 am 1 Photo
  • Monday, December 14, 2009
  • Traverse City's Harman hits 14 for CMU

    Robbie Harman (Traverse City Central) had 14 points and Jordan Bitzer added 12 points as Central Michigan topped South Florida on Sunday.

    Continued ...
    Dec 14, 2009 7:20 am 1 Photo
  • Saturday, December 12, 2009
  • Glass, Lions get win No. 100

    Make that 100 straight wins for the Penn State volleyball team. The Nitany Lions cruised into the national semifinals on Saturday with a 25-18, 25-17, 25-22 sweep of California in the regional championship.

    Continued ...
    Dec 12, 2009 10:30 pm
  • Friday, December 4, 2009
  • Glass, Lions target 3rd title

    The record 96 straight wins are impressive, though the Penn State women's volleyball team and Leland's Alicia Glass are focused on an even more important streak.

    Continued ...
    Dec 4, 2009 7:35 am 1 Photo
  • Monday, November 30, 2009
  • Townsend nets Sweet 16 game-winner

    Traverse City West grad Casey Townsend scored the game-winning goal as Maryland advanced to the national quarterfinals with a win over Harvard.

    Continued ...
    Nov 30, 2009 7:04 am 1 Photo
  • Friday, November 20, 2009
  • James Cook: U-M can calm critics

    It may not be do-or-die time for Rich Rodriguez, but it is for some. The Michigan coach is just 8-15 in his first two seasons at the helm of one of the country's most decorated football programs. That just won't do.

    Continued ...
    Nov 20, 2009 11:55 pm 1 Photo
  • Thursday, November 19, 2009
  • College Notes: West's Sears earns honors

    Calvin senior libero Kelsey Sears (Traverse City) has been named a third-team All-American by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. (Plus more on college athletes from the region.)

    Continued ...
    Nov 19, 2009 7:25 am
  • Glass, Penn State are favorites to 3-peat

    The Penn State women's volleyball squad, playing in quaint but stuffy Rec Hall, has won 92 straight games -- tied for the second-longest streak in NCAA Division I team sports.

    Continued ...
    Nov 19, 2009 7:25 am 1 Photo
  • Monday, September 21, 2009
  • U-M coach: 'It's hard to get back'

    With a veteran cast returning, expectations are high for a University of Michigan softball team that reached the college World Series last spring.

    Continued ...
    Sep 21, 2009 7:16 am 2 Photos
  • Friday, September 18, 2009
  • Townsend doesnt regret decision to leave early

    Like Traverse City St. Francis football star Max Bullough hopes will help him, a semester head start helped propel Casey Townsend to a prominent role on a national championship team in the Maryland soccer program last year.

    Continued ...
    Sep 18, 2009 4:35 pm
  • Townsend doesn't regret early college start

    It doesn't seem like much at first glance, but those extra few months can be a massive boon for a college player. Like Traverse City St. Francis football star Max Bullough hopes it will help him, a semester head start helped propel Casey Townsend to a prominent role on a national championship team in the Maryland soccer program last year.

    Continued ...
    Sep 18, 2009 7:42 am 1 Photo