Sunday, February 25, 2001
Hamilton's Ballinger too much for La Salle
Scores 19 points in Big Blue's 68-57 victory
By Mark Schmetzer
Enquirer contributor
Hamilton coach Larry Allen was pleased his Big Blue played their Division I sectional matchup Saturday with LaSalle the way they practiced during the week.
Lancers coach Dan Fleming was wishing his players had done the same.
Fleming wanted his team to stop Hamilton 3-point marksman Robbie Ballinger. But the 6-foot-4, 250-pound Hamilton senior hit three 3-pointers on his way to a game-high 19 points while leading the Big Blue to a 68-57 win at Lakota West.
“Believe it or not, we said all week, "No easy 3s for Ballinger,'” Fleming said. “They didn't follow instructions. That's all we worked on for five or six days.”
“If you don't play against Robbie, you may not be a believer,” said Allen, whose team advances to meet Hughes 6p.m. Tuesday at Millett Hall. “Robbie can play. He's had some big games for us this year.”
Few plays were as big as the four-pointer Ballinger had in the fourth quarter.
LaSalle senior Jeff Hyle's three-point play pulled the Lancers to within 41-39, with 7:45 left in the game.
Hamilton junior E.J. Underwood drew defenders with a drive to the lane and kicked the ball out to Ballinger in the left corner. He launched a 3-pointer a split second before he was fouled. Ballinger's shot swished, and he hit the free throw for the first four-point play of his career.
“We knew they'd make a run at us,” Ballinger said. “We wanted to get a good shot. I didn't see it going through the air, but I watched it go in from the floor.”
“He could've missed it, but he didn't,” Fleming said. “That was a big play. If we hang around and maybe take the lead, it could've changed the fourth quarter. When the game was on the line, they made the baskets.”
Ballinger led four Hamilton players into double figures. Sophomore Jon Smith scored 15 for the Big Blue. Junior Nate Rusbosin added 13 and senior Josh Andrews 12.
Senior Andy Bucheit led LaSalle with 18 points. Senior Doug Kruthaupt added 15 and Hyle 12.
Ballinger hit his other two 3-pointers when the Big Blue took the lead for good.
“He's done that the last two years,” Allen said. “He's been the guy who's come up with the big 3s at critical times. I like his courage.”
LA SALLE (57) — Bucheit 7 0 18, Petit 1 0 2, Hyle 5 1 12, Kruthaupt 5 5 15, Schachleiter 4 0 8, Orr 1 0 2. Totals: 23 6 57.
HAMILTON (68) — Andrews 3 4 12, Underwood 2 3 7, Smith 6 3 15, Rusbosin 4 4 13, Williams 1 0 2, Ballinger 6 4 19. Totals: 22 18 68.
La Salle ....... 12 12 12 21—57
Hamilton ....... 11 18 12 27—68
3-pointers: L—Bucheit 4, Hyle. H—Ballinger 3, Andrews 2, Rusbosin. Records: L 7-14. H 16-5.
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Hamilton's Ballinger too much for La Salle