Pirates make Ike boys walk the plank

New Berlin - With one month left in the basketball season, the New Berlin Eisenhower boys' team has time to find its offensive rhythm and remain in contention for a seventh straight conference title.

But it wasn't an encouraging start to February for the Lions, who fell out of a first-place tie in the Woodland Black after a 55-50 home loss to Pewaukee on Feb. 3.

"Offensively, we've struggled with it all year," said Eisenhower coach Dave Scheidegger, "getting all five guys on the same page and we're hot and cold with it."

Against a streaking Pirates team, the second half was especially frigid for the Lions, who opened the fourth quarter with a nearly five-minute scoring drought.

Taking advantage late

Pewaukee took advantage and expanded a 43-42 third-quarter lead to 53-46 with less than two minutes to play, behind forward Ben Steker.

The senior scored eight of his team-high 14 points in the fourth quarter, including a layup that capped a 13-3 run for Pewaukee (12-5, 10-3), which remained a half-game behind New Berlin West in the Woodland Blue.

"This was a huge win for us," Steker said. "Now, it's in our hands and if we win out, we win the conference."

The victory also extended the Pirates win streak to six games and ended the Lions run at four straight.

"I told our guys not many teams can come into the Lions' den at Eisenhower and win a game," Pewaukee coach Tim Reuter said. "They are a pretty tough home team so it was a great effort by us."

Scheidegger was less impressed with his team's performance, especially on offense.

The loss was only the second at home this season for the Lions and the 50 points tied their second lowest output of the year.

"Unfortunately, under the spotlight tonight," Scheidegger said, "we kind of forgot our roles."

Lions can't reach rim

While guard Reed Timmer and forward Keith Kahlfeldt combined for 24 points, neither had an easy time getting to the rim.

Timmer, who averages 17.5 points per game, scored half of his 12 points in the first quarter as Eisenhower built a 15-10 lead.

But the sophomore was blanketed by Pirates guard Jordan Daul most of the night and was forced to be more of a passer than scorer.

"They were face guarding me the whole game so I wanted to get my teammates looks," Timmer said. "At times we were working the ball and at other times it was kind of dysfunctional because we were trying to get the ball in the post and other guys were looking to cut."

Two Kahlfeldt free throws to open the second quarter gave the Lions the biggest lead of the night at 17-10.

But Pewaukee would consistently chip away at the advantage and a runner in the lane by Steker capped a 7-1 run that tied the game, 28-28, at halftime.

A 3-pointer by junior Sandro Pesquiera put the Lions ahead, 35-34, midway through the third quarter, but the Pirates rallied again to retake the lead for good.

Senior John Czerwinski drained a deep 3-pointer to put Pewaukee up 41-39 with 1:30 to go in the third quarter.

Offensive difficulties

Mitch Arman answered with a three for the Lions, but it would be the last points scored by Eisenhower until a Timmer layup with 3:15 left in the game.

"We were fighting the whole game and just didn't get the looks we needed," Timmer said. "Credit Pewaukee, they played well and hit the shots when they needed them."

Senior Austin Hansen added 14 for the Pirates, including six in the third quarter.

Despite the loss, Scheidegger said he is optimistic the team can bounce back and eventually jell on offense.

However, he also said there is room for improvement, even at this stage of the season.

"The roles aren't as established as they should be," Scheidegger said. "We're not fitting like a glove, that's for sure, at least not as many minutes as we should be this time of year."

Eisenhower (10-3, 14-4) traveled to Greendale (6-7, 6-11) on Tuesday and now hosts South Milwaukee (8-5, 11-6) on Feb. 10.

WILMOT RESULTS

The Lions beat Wilmot Union, 67-56, on Jan. 30 at home in a non-conference game to start last week. Keith Kahlfeldt had 24 points, Reed Timmer scored 20 and Sandro Pesquiera had 11 to lead the Lions. The game was close the entire way, as the Lions had slim leads of 23-18 after the first quarter, 30-28 at halftime and 50-44 after three.