Falcons snap losing skid

The Sheboygan Falls Falcons were 6-of-6 from the free throw line in the final minute to secure a 47-45 win over the Slinger Owls Saturday, Dec. 19, in non-conference boys basketball action in Sheboygan Falls.

Falcons coach Eric Spielman felt the squad needed a win like this to stop a three-game losing streak that was wearing on the confidence of the team.

The victory moved Falls back to 3-3 overall for the season. Slinger dropped to 5-3 overall.

“The free throws down the stretch were huge in getting a win,” Spielman said. “This should give us some confidence.”

Falcons junior Nick Roelse scored 10 of his game-high 18 points in the fourth quarter and made two key free throws, with 3.8 seconds left.

Falls went on a 14-2 run to start the second half, after trailing 21-18 at halftime. Seniors Dan Duda and Zach Berg hit back-to-back three-pointers to give the Falcons a 24-21 lead to open the third quarter.

Roelse then converted a three-point play and put Falls ahead 27-21. Another basket by Roelse and 3- pointer from Berg gave the Falcons a commanding 32-23 lead.

Two late scores from Slinger’s Kevin Burns cut the lead to 32-27 by the end of the third quarter.

Roelse hit three straight shots to open the fourth, putting Falls up by 38-27.

Slinger then went on a 13-2 run to close to within 41-40, after two big 3-point shots from Jordan Teschendorf, with 1:52 left in the game.

Roelse and Duda were perfect from the line, as they scored the last six points of the game for the Falcons. A late 3-point shot from the Owls cut the score to 47-45.

“It was one of better games of the season,” said Duda. “We’ve worked hard in practice and now it’s starting to pay off.”

Duda finished with nine points.

The Falcons looked like they would run away with the game early, as they broke out to a 9-0 lead in the first quarter. Slinger didn’t score until the 2:28 mark in the quarter.

Slinger cut the lead to 11-7, with a 3-pointer at the buzzer by Kirk Emmer. The Owls then tied the game at 11-11 early in the second quarter.

Seniors Mitch Thimmig and Spencer Hurlburt made two baskets to put Falls ahead 15-11.

The Owls closed the first half by taking the lead on a 10-3 run, as Teschendorf led the way with eight points.

Teschendorf guided Slinger, with 14 points and two 3-pointers with five rebounds. Brennan Quinn added 11 points for the Owls.

The Falls junior varsity team outlasted Slinger 58-51 to improve to 3-3 overall.

Sophomore Zach VanEngen had a huge night with 18 points for the Falcons. Bobby Musil added 12, with Ryan Krist putting up 10 points for Falls.

Slinger dropped Falls 53-52 in the freshman game on a last second 3-pointer. No scorers were reported.

Score by Quarter Slinger………………....7 14 6 18 - 45 Sheboygan Falls…..11 7 14 15 - 47

Slinger scorers: Brennan Quinn 11, Kevin Burns 8, Dan Wimmer 5, Kirk Emmer 7, Jordan Teschendorf 14.

Sheboygan Falls scorers: Alex Grabowski 2, Dan Duda 9, Mitch Thimmig 2, Matt Hasler 5, Matt Henning 2, Zach Berg 6, Nick Roelse 18, Spencer Hurlburt 3.

Three-point goals: Slinger – Quinn, Teschendorf 2, Wimmer, Emmer. Sheboygan Falls – Roelse, Duda, Berg 2, Hasler.

Statistics: Slinger – field goals 18-46 (39 percent), free throws 4-10 (40 percent), rebounds 28, turnovers 16. Sheboygan Falls – field goals 15-37 (45 percent), free throws 12-16 (75 percent), rebounds 20, turnovers 19.