CHICAGO – The Roosevelt men's basketball team pushed its winning streak to six games on Saturday afternoon, as the Lakers knocked off the visiting Judson Eagles 63-52 at the Lillian and Larry Goodman Center to set a new single-season mark for wins.
Saturday's win gave Joe Griffin's team its 18th win, the most in program history during a single year and the most since a 17-13 campaign in 2014-15, with eight regular-season games still remaining. The decision also set a new single-season program mark for home wins with Roosevelt's 11th victory at the Goodman Center in 2017-18.
The Lakers are now in the midst of their second prolonged streak of victories after starting the year with nine consecutive Ws.
The Lakers (18-4, 9-3 CCAC) used a balanced scoring attack and pressure defense to seal the victory. Roosevelt forced the visiting Eagles into 15 turnovers in the contest and held them to just 36 percent shooting from the field.
Junior reserves Kevin Day and Jake Asquini led the offense on a day when not much was falling. Asquini scored 11 on 4-of-6 from the floor, and Day chipped in 10.
Junior Jake Ludwig was an assist short of a double-double on Saturday. He finished the contest with 10 points and nine helpers.
Eight of the 10 Lakers to see the court today scored at least five points
Judson (8-14, 4-8 CCAC) was led in scoring by Taylor Boley and Germaine Roebuck who had 12 and 11, respectively. Boley entered the game as the 10th-leading scorer in the CCAC at over 16 points per game, but he was held in check for most of the night and finished just 4-of-12.
Roosevelt led by as many as 17 in the second half. Judson cut its deficit down to eight with less than a minute left in regulation, and the Lakers were able to hold the Eagles at bay until the final horn.
Roosevelt University also celebrated the RU community on Saturday with Alumni, Students and Family Day inside the Goodman Center for the day's doubleheader. The Lakers saluted alumni, including all former student-athletes, in attendance at halftime of the men's basketball game.
"What a great day and enviorment it was for alumni day," Griffin said of the festivities. "It was great to see so many familiar faces back on campus.
"This was a win that we needed as our next four games on the road," Griffin said of the importance of Saturday's contest. "Our players really prepared and came out with great intensity. All 10 contributed significantly, led by Lud with nine assists, and he could've had more if we had shot a little better. Our effort and hustle was outstanding, highlighted by Kyle [Bumbalough] and Josh [Dillingham] making diving possession-saving plays."
Griffin gave the Eagles credit while applauding his team's nationally-ranked defense, which was ranked eighth in the country in opponent field goal percentage and fourth nationally in points allowed entering the game.
"We thought we could really get a sizable lead, but give Judson credit for hanging in there and not going away," Griffin continued. "On a day when we didn't shoot well, our defense saved us again. Holding their top two guys in Boley and Roebuck well under their averages really put pressure on their offense."
The Lakers head to Indiana South Bend on Wednesday night to take on the Titans, with tip-off scheduled for the 6:30 p.m. Wednesday's game marks the first of four straight on the road.
For additional information on Roosevelt University athletics, visit the website at www.rooseveltlakers.com.
Quick Hits
--The Lakers led for 33:38 of the contest with the largest lead being 17 points.
--The two teams tied on the glass with 38 boards apiece
--No Lakers player played more than 27 minutes in the game
--Joshua Dillingham pulled down a team-best and game-tying high of seven rebounds
--Six Lakers recorded at least one steal in the game, led by Adam Alexander and Asquini, who each had two
The Roosevelt bench erupts with elation after a big play during Saturday's win over Judson. (Photo: Dan Lim)
