Chicago State Wins Great West Conference Men's Basketball Tournament - Mar 17, 2013
CHICAGO - Chicago State won its first Great West Conference Tournament Championship Saturday, 75-60, over Houston Baptist at CSU's Jones Convocation Center.
The Cougars (11-21), were led by Jeremy Robinson, who scored 17 points off the bench on his way to All-Tournament honors. Also in double figures for the CSU were Nate Duhon (6'3''-G) with 15 points, and Matt Ross (6'8''-F) and Clarke Rosenberg (6'3''-G) with 10 points apiece. Duhon was named Tournament MVP.
Houston Baptist, which played three games in three days including a double-overtime first-round game, were led by All-Tournament honoree Arthur Bernardi (6'9''-F-90) with 17 points. Marcel Smith (5'6''-PG-93) scored 16 points for the Huskies (14-17), and All-Tournament honoree Rob Lewis (5'11''-G) added 11. Dewayne Bowden (5'11''-G-92) came off the bench to lead the Huskies on the boards with five.
Chicago State, which got off to a fast start by pressuring the tournament-weary Huskies from the start, were sparked by Robinson off the bench with 13 fist-half points. The Cougars took a 44-25 lead into the locker room at the half after shooting 43 percent (17-40) from the field in the first half, compared to 38 percent (8-21) for HBU thanks in part to 12 offensive rebounds.
The Cougars cooled off a little in the second half and ended the game shooting 41 percent (26-63), compared to 38 percent (17-45) for HBU. CSU led 40-32 in rebounding and forced 19 HBU turnovers, while committing 11 miscues.
Chicago State receives the Great West Conference's automatic bid to the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament and will play University of Illinois-Chicago March 20.
Courtesy of GWC
GWC Tournament Final: Chicago St - Houston Bapt. 75-60 GWC Tournament Semifinals: Chicago St. - NJIT 62-61 Houston Bapt. - UTPA 63-55
All-GWC 1st Team 2012-2013
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Duhon
Flores
Aird
Hunsaker
Bernardi
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All-Tournament MVP:Nate Duhon (6'3''-G) of Chicago St. Player of the Year:Chris Flores (6'2''-G-90) of NJIT Co-Defensive Player of the Year:Anthony Hill (6'0''-G-90) of Houston Baptist Co-Defensive Player of the Year:Quinton Pippen (6'4''-G/F) of Chicago St. Newcomer of the Year:Nate Duhon (6'3''-G) of Chicago St. Sixth Man of the Year:Rob Lewis (5'11''-G) of Houston Baptist Coach of the Year:Jim Engles of NJIT