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Sports
The University News
Sports Shorts:Billiken Briefs Men’s basketball The Billikens surprise season came to an end after falling to Virginia Commonwealth University, 71-65, on March 31 in the finals of the College Basketball Invitational. VCU swept the final series, 2-0, to earn the title of 2010 CBI Champions. The Billikens final record stands at 23-13. The 23 wins are tied for fourth-most in program history. Sophomores Kwamain Mitchell and Kyle Cassity became the school’s first tandem since 1993-94 to have at least 100 assists each. Cassity led the team with 117 assists, while Mitchell collected 106. As a team, the Bills shattered the team record for blocked shots. The 169 blocks set by this year’s squad easily surpassed the mark of 142 by the 2006-2007 team. Sophomore Willie Reed set the individual record for blocked shots with 73. The Bills’ 18 wins at home this season also broke a
record. Head coach Rick Majerus received one vote for the Associated Press Coach of the Year Award. This was the 14th season that a Majerusled team earned at least 20 wins. Majerus has never had a losing season in his 22-year career. Baseball Baseball did battle with another ranked opponent on Wednesday, April 7 as the team traveled to Fayetteville, Ark., to take on the University of Arkansas Razorbacks. However, the No. 10 Razorbacks proved to be too much, posting a 32-8 victory over the Billikens. The loss brings the Bills overall record to 15-15. Freshman shortstop Mike Levine had three RBIs, while sophomore catcher Connor Gandossy had two hits and two RBIs. The team returns home for a three-game set against Temple beginning Friday,
April 9. The first game is slated to begin at 7 p.m. Games two and three will be begin at 1 p.m. and noon, respectively. Softball The Billikens dropped both games of a double-header to Eastern Illinois on Tuesday, April 6. The first game witnessed the Billikens only manage one hit in a 3-0 losing effort. Sophomore Kelly Flanagan led off the fifth inning with a double to left center. She was the Billikens first baserunner at that point. A late-inning rally by the Panthers allowed them to surge past the Billikens, 6-4. A series of errors and unearned runs allowed the Panthers to erase a 4-1 Billiken lead in the nightcap. SLU starter Hanna Huebbe gave up eight hits and three walks for six runs, only one earned, while striking out seven in the loss --Bobby Schindler
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Loe’s addition is program-changer Rick Majerus received a very welcome phone call last week from 8,000 miles, or 17 hours if you choose, away. On the other end of the Commentary line was a 7-foot tall power forward who notified the Saint Louis University basketball head coach that he was Derrick Neuner prepared to meet him in St. Louis in May. Yes, Rob Loe wants to be a Billiken. Loe’s verbal commitment comes in addition to signed letters from Mike McCall and Dwayne Evans, both from Chicago. All I have to say is this: Let’s go dancing, boys. These three commitments are monumental in rounding out a team that was already being considered a formidable threat in the 2010-11 basketball season. Majerus has delivered on his promise to bring championship-caliber basketball to Chaifetz Arena
and has to be giddy with his latest get. Loe is a big deal for the Billikens, not just because of the level of game he is capable of, but also because of his size. Coming in at 235 lbs, the Auckland, New Zealand native was highly coveted by schools in the Big 12, Big East, SEC and ACC, including Colorado and Kentucky. Loe was recently named the starting center on the 2010 World Select team that will compete against the USA Junior National Select team at the Nike Hoops Summit in Portland, Ore., on April 10. According to ESPN.com’s National Recruiting Director Paul Biancardi, “What’s most impressive is Loe’s skill set and versatility to play both inside and also on the perimeter. He can stretch the defense with his shooting ability and use his size and strength to be a force in the post.” That’s great news for the Billikens. SLU often lacked size and strength in the post. Willie Reed was often beat to the basket and Cody Ellis struggled to adjust to a defen-
sive presence on the inside. That’s not to mention that both were often out-muscled by junior or senior athletes who were well conditioned. Filling this hole is a crucial step in moving the Billikens closer to a game in Houston next March. Loe should also fit well in Majerus’ defensive schemes. From what I’ve seen, Loe plays well in a man-to-man set-up, reacts well to screens, and seems to dominate with a physical presence in the paint. Let’s not forget, though, that Loe is listed as a power forward for a reason; he’s comfortable away from the basket and will be putting up shots from around the perimeter. Oh, did I mention that he’s seven feet tall? I can’t wait to see how Loe will develop under Majerus. The last 7-footer from Down Under on a Majerus squad, Andrew Bogut, won the AP Player of the Year, the Naismith Award, and was a No.1 overall draft pick. It looks like he’s done it again. Boys, get your dancing shoes ready.
Ryan Giacomino / Photo Editor
Billikens struggle on the road Sophomore pitcher Jerry Mancuso and the Billikens are now 15-15 on the season. The Billikens suffered a 32-8 loss last night, April 7, at the University of Arkansas. The Razorbacks are the No. 10 team in the country and the fourth ranked opponent for the Billiikens this season.
Noah Berman / Associate Photo Editor
Fencing Club president and junior Tran Nguyen, left, takes a break with sophomore Susanne Schmidt during practice. The Fencing Club meets every Thursday night at the Simon Recreation Center.
Fencing: Club welcomes students, local residents Continued from Page 9
cutting and thrusting weapon, and that is used to target the saddle line, which runs from one hip to the other, and up. SLU Fencing Club’s weapons have rubber protective coverings or blunt ends. Each person also wears a conductive jacket, which is hooked into a machine that completes a circuit – this keeps track of whoever touches the other person, and scores it accordingly. The game is based on
a score system and can be played out in two ways: with a score system of first to 45, or an elimination system with first to five touches. Christopher Brunett, a member of SLU’s Fencing Club, thinks this club is a great idea. “I am a history minor, and I have a passion for classical warfare. I’ve always been interested to see how it would be like to actually fight with swords, so I just joined this semester and I love fencing,” Brunett said. “It is an excel-
lent workout, mentally and physically, and I am getting a sense of history.” To develop the team, access more facilities and recruit more people, Sikes has been working reach out to the students. “I love fencing since it brings every ingredient of what you want into a sport or physical activity. It’s extremely aerobic, yet it also requires mental discipline – it’s like physical chess,” Sikes said. “I just want the students to love it as much as I do.”