Box Score The 2010-2011 season started off a little rocky for the Stags, but they are finding their footing as they look to start SCIAC Conference play on January 8. Below is a recap of their preseason games.
Nov. 16 – Azusa Pacific
In the Stags' first game of the season, they came away with an impressive 81-79 victory over Azusa Pacific, the #1 NAIA team, ending the Cougars 42 game-winning streak against Division III teams, which started in 1990. Azusa started out strong, taking an early lead and maintaining a 10-point lead at the half. CMS continued to fight and with six minutes left a four-point swing, after a Cougar technical foul, helped give the Stags the momentum needed to come away with the win.
Nov. 26 – Trinity (Tex.)
CMS' next game was the first game of David Wells Classic. The Stags defeated Trinity University 76-63. Solid shooting throughout the game allowed the Stags to win the game. The Stags shot 48% from the field in the first half and 72% in the second half.
Nov. 27 – UC Santa Cruz
In the second and final game of the tournament for the Stags, they took on UC Santa Cruz. CMS was down by seven at the half, and despite out scoring the Slugs in the second half were unable to pull out the victory and lost by two, 60-62. This marked CMS' first loss of the season.
Dec. 3 – Franklin & Marshall
CMS travelled to Missouri for the prestigious Lopata Classic hosted by Washington University in St. Louis. In their first game of the tournament, the Stags played Franklin & Marshall. It was an exciting game to the very end. The Stags were down by nine with just five minutes left in the game, but went on a 10-0 run to gain a one-point lead. The Stags had to foul on the Diplomat's next possession, which allowed Franklin & Marshall to sink two free throws to put them ahead by one with just six seconds remaining. CMS had the last shot of the game, but failed to capitalize on a three point shot.
Dec. 4 – Washington University in St. Louis
CMS took on the host of the tournament next, but unfortunately lost to Washington University in St. Louis, 66-57. The first half CMS was cold, shooting 30% from the field, allowing the Bears to lead by as many as 16 points. The second half the Stags seemed like a new team. They started with a 12-4 run to get within five points of the Bears. St. Louis went on its own run shortly thereafter to breakaway from the Stags once again. Despite getting within nine with a minute left, the Stags were unable to catch up. This marked St. Louis' 24-straight win in the Lopata Classic.
Dec. 9 – Concordia University (CA)
The Stags began their game against the NAIA No. 6 ranked Concordia Eagles on November 20th, but finished the game on December 9th. A power outage occurred with 4:27 left in the first half causing the game to be postponed. The game picked up where it left off, which had the Eagles ahead 30-15. Concordia scored 18 points in those final 4 minutes of the first half to take a 48-20 lead at halftime. CMS scored 34 points in the second half, but were not able to match Concordia's hot shooting and quick defense and lost 84-54.
Dec. 19 – Whitworth University
In their final game before the holiday break, CMS lost to the undefeated, sixth-ranked Whitworth Pirates. The first half was a back and forth battle. CMS had the led with four minutes left in the half, but quality last minute play allowed the Pirates to take a 39-35 lead at the break. In the second half, Whitworth went on a 13-1 run and a 10-0 run, broken up by four successful free throws by the Stags. The Stags matched the Pirates intensity in the final four minutes, but could not close the gap and were defeated 79-64.
Dec. 29 – Chapman University
After a short break for the holidays, the Stags resumed play with a home game against Chapman University, who is 11-0 against Division III teams this season. Play was very even from both sides and the game remained close until the final buzzer. At the half, the game was tired 35-35. With 14 minutes remaining in the game, CMS had a seven-point lead, which Chapman slowly chipped away at. The Panthers took the lead with eleven minutes to go and narrowly defeated CMS 69-65.
Jan. 2 – Wisconsin Lutheran
CMS' first game of 2011 began with a 68-53 victory against the Wisconsin Lutheran Warriors in the Claremont-Caltech Classic. CMS came out on fire, ready to start the New Year on a high note. At the half the Stags had a 24-point lead after shooting 55.2% and scoring the first 11 points of the game. CMS prevented Wisconsin Lutheran from getting any points in the paint in the first half. However, the Warriors put up a fight in the second half and went on a 20-4 run to narrow CMS' lead to just eight. The Stags answered by taking control and regaining a double-digit lead, that escalated to 18 points twice. This convincing victory was the Stag's first win since losing two-time SCIAC MVP Chris Blees to a season ending injury, but also shows that the Stags are ready to have a successful SCIAC season.
