NEW LONDON -- In a Saturday night surprise, Morris upset New London-Spicer 72-59 in boys basketball, snapping a 13-game Wildcats' win streak.
The Tigers -- especially Taylor Witt -- trampled the Wildcats with 53 percent shooting and were also proficient at slipping through the NLS full-court pressure.
Witt, a 6-foot-3 junior, scored a season-high 36 points. He sank all four of his team's treys in just eight attempts. Fouling him was lethal: he canned 14 of 15 at the free-throw line.
"He was awesome," said senior forward Andy Lembcke, who had 12 points and nine rebounds. "He's our leader and he stepped up tonight."
The Wildcats' only lead was in the first minute at 2-0. They didn't get another field goal until the 10:20 mark, an indication of what kind of night it was going to be for the fifth-ranked team in Class AA.
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"It wasn't our night; that's pretty clear," said NLS coach Matt Cordes. "We just couldn't put a run together. But you have to be impressed with Morris. They shot so well and Witt is a nice ballplayer."
The Wildcats, shooting at a 31 percent clip, got to within 37-31 at 12:45 of the second half. Morris coach Mark Torgerson called a time out and the Tigers quickly pulled in front 47-34 never to be threatened again.
NLS' Todd Herman, in early foul trouble, got 16 of his team-best 17 points in the second half. Justin Haats followed with 16 points.
The Tigers (7-9) are 4-1 in their last five games.
Morris 72, NL-Spicer 59
Morris (7-9) 25 47 -- 72
NL-Spicer (17-2) 17 42 -- 49
MORRIS - 25-47 FG (4-14 3 pt); 18-25 FT; 31 rebounds; 21 fouls .... Scoring: Aaron Lund 2, Nate Lund 8, Taylor Witt 37, Justin Lund 6, Craig Knochenmus 6, Andy Lembcke 12, Dylan Gahm 2 .... 3-point shots: Witt 4 .... Rebound leader: Lembcke 9, Witt 7, Knochenmus 5 .... Assist leader: Chase Rambow 4, A. Lund 3.... Steal leader: Rambow 2
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NEW LONDON-SPICER - 20-64 FG (3-19 3 pt); 16-26 FT; 39 rebounds; 26 fouls .... Scoring: Nick Carlson 8, Tim Dreier 7, Wade Wessling 4, Todd Herman 17, Brian Pieh 5, Justin Haats 16, Mike Danielson 2 .... 3-point shots: not available .... Rebound leader: Wessling 8, Herman 11, Pieh 6, Haats 7 .... Assist leader: Dreier 3, Herman 5 .... Steal leader: Pieh 2, Herman 2
