Dearborn, MI – The Wolves (10-19, 2-11) were certainly missing their team leader in points per game, assists and steals, Matt Ponik today when they fell to conference foe Indiana Tech (16-12, 8-4), 55-76. However, senior John Travis played well in his final home game, racking up 14 rebounds and 15 points. The senior was only topped in points by junior Anthony Acho who sunk 4 three pointers for the afternoon for a total of 17 points. More at the Michigan Journal

Michigan - Dearborn will play their last game of the regular season on the road against Aquinas College on Wednesday, February 20 at 7:30 pm.

Dearborn, MI – It was a sleepy start to what would be an explosive night for the Michigan - Dearborn Wolves (10-13, 2-6) as they would defeat the Saints of Siena Heights University (8-15, 2-5) handily, 76-64. A well balanced scoring attack as well as an edge in the total rebounds would give the Wolves a much need conference win before they go on the road for a 5 game road trip. The win tonight matched UMD's total WHAC wins from last year with 6 conference games left to be played.

The first half would see the Wolves start off sluggish as they tried to unlock the pesky Saints defense, during which time Siena Heights would build up a 20-11 lead just 6 minutes into the game. The Wolves would explode and go on a 14-0 run before the Saints would be forced to call a time out. The run would continue however after the timeout and UMD would end the half on a 20-6 run with Center John Travis dropping 8 of his 15 points during this run. Michigan - Dearborn would enter the locker rooms up 31-26.

The second half would see almost a repeat of the first few minutes of the first half as Siena Heights would come out attacking. Never failing the Wolves would again catch fire again behind back to back three pointers by Steve Banks and Matt Ponik. It was the theme of the half, whenever UMD would seem to be lulled back asleep a three pointer would re-light the offense. It was never more critical than with 5:30 left in the game, up only 5, 53-48, UMD's Steve Banks and Scoot Rutter would nail two huge threes and extend the lead to 11 points, effectively sealing the game. Anthony Acho would hit two big midrange shots with only a few minutes remaining to keep the Wolves large lead intact. Acho would also visit the free throw line repeatedly as Siena Heights would try to make a comeback. It was in vain as Acho ended up with 15, Banks with 10, Travis with 15, Masters with 10 and Ponik with 13.

The Wolves will look for their 3rd conference win as they travel to Cornerstone University this Saturday with tip-off scheduled for 3 PM.

Dearborn, MI – It was ugly from the start for the Michigan - Dearborn Wolves tonight (10-13, 1-6) when the hosted Aquinas College (17-6, 5-2). Very early in the game guard Matt Ponik would go down when he took a nasty elbow to the face, and he would not return. The game would get progressively worse for the Wolves from that point on as nothing would go right for UMD tonight.

The first half would see Matt Ponik go out early with an elbow to the face which seemed to distract the Wolves in the early going of the game, but it wouldn't be the worst thing to happen in the first half. Center Jordan Masters would be taken out with 3 fouls only 5 minutes into the half. With two critical players on the bench the Wolves would not be able to must any offense to match the Saints 43 first half points.

The second half would start out with much of the same as the Saints would push their lead to nearly 30 on several occasions. Jordan Masters would re-enter the game only to pick up his last two fouls 6 minutes into the second half. The limited playing time of UMD's big man would show up in the rebounds, as UMD would be out rebounded 41-26. The second half would see both coaches go deep into their benches as the game was clearly already decided. A late charge would be staged by the Wolves but it only would make the score a little better to swallow.

Michigan - Dearborn will be home on Wednesday against Siena Heights University (8-14, 2-4) with tip off @ 7:30 in the Fieldhouse.

Dearborn, MI – The 3-pointer was a hot option in tonight's game when Michigan - Dearborn (9-11, 1-4) took on Grace Bible College (14-14). UMD would hit 10 and Grace Bible would hit 9, and a game that looked to be controlled by UMD would come under threat towards the end, due to Grace Bible's seven 3-pointers in the second half. The Wolves would hold on to the lead though and win 76-70.

The first half brought hot shooting and great ball movement by the Wolves, who again looked energized very early in the game. Grace Bible on the other hand would look sluggish and turnover prone, allowing the Wolves to charge out to a 10 point lead and even more during some points of the first half. The Tigers of Grace Bible would make a run towards the end of the first half, narrowing the gap from 15 to 9, heading to the locker rooms with UMD up 39-30.

The second half would get interesting for the Wolves, as they seemingly were able to hold the Tigers at bay for most of the half, but not for long. Grace Bible would catch fire in the last ten minutes and use short runs that would threaten the Wolves lead. Thankfully the UMD defense stayed tough and the good shooting would continue for Michigan - Dearborn, which allowed them to stay on top in this all of a sudden close game. With time running out Grace Bible would make one last attempt, but would fall short, loosing 76-70.

Michigan - Dearborn goes on the road Wednesday to face Indiana Tech (10-10, 3-2) as they resume WHAC play. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 pm.

Dearborn, MI – It was a breakthrough game today for Michigan – Dearborn (8-11, 1-4) as they picked up their first conference win of the season over Davenport (8-12, 2-3) at home, 72-60. The Wolves came out looking strong using a strategy of feeding the two big men Jordan Masters (9pts) and John Travis (8pts) and using the quick and lethal new guard combination of Acho (11pts) and Mattia (15pts). It sure seemed to have the Panthers of Davenport scrambling as their guards were beat off the dribble and their big men just overpowered.

The addition of guards Anthony Acho and Sean Mattia has been a great boost for the Wolves, giving them some crisp guard play and allowing other players to fall into more natural roles, and it is starting to show. The Wolves looked comfortable all game, going up 21-14 with just 8 minutes left in the half. But Davenport would try to make it a game and claw their way back into the game with just over 3 minutes left to go and tie it at 25. The game would stay tied straight in half time with teams trading 5 points apiece.

Late in the second half UMD really began to flex their muscles and show that they really wanted the win. Mattia and Acho would lead the attack distributing the ball amazingly well allowing for Matt Ponik and Scott Rutter to hit a handful of three balls which was really what pulled the Wolves into the lead for good. With just 6:50 left in the game the wolves would go up 54-58 and continue to hold and extend their lead throughout the rest of the game.

After getting the first conference win off their backs, a win that should have come Wednesday night against Concordia as the coaches point out, they look forward to Monday when non-conference Grace Bible College comes calling. Tip off is at 7:00 PM in the Fieldhouse.

Dearborn, MI – A night that started with such great promise shouldn’t have ended as it did tonight for Michigan – Dearborn (7-11, 0-4). It was a heart ripping loss for the Wolves tonight as the Cardinals of Concordia University (6-12, 2-2) stole what should have been UMD’s first conference win of the season.

The first half was filled with great plays by UMD, and it seemed as though they were ready to explode onto the scene with the first conference win. Ball passing was crisp and it seemed every shot was a good look at the basket, even if they all didn’t go down. The Wolves would shoot a hot 43% in the first half compared to the Cardinals 30%, which in most parts could be attributed to great defense by UMD. Matt Ponik would capitalize on the good play in the first half adding 11 points to take the Wolves into break 35-24 and looking strong.

But the second half would spell shear doom for the Wolves. Concordia was able to use the whole half to slowly claw their way back into the game using short runs and solid defense. Fernando Cardenas would catch fire for the Cardinals and put in 18 points to bring the Cardinals within striking distance, and than he would hand the teams fate over to Scott Spencer who would drill three 3-pointers with under 4 minutes remaining, the biggest of them all coming with just over a minute in the game to put the Cardinals up by 1, 61-60. Coach Vincent Turner would take a time out and urge his players to take the ball to the basket, and look for a lay-up or free throws, but Sean Mattia would see an open three from the corner and could not pass up the opportunity and when his shot rattled out the game was all but over. A quick foul sent Concordia to the line where they would sink two shots and a last second heave by Mattia would not go down and the Cardinals were able to escape Dearborn with a huge conference win, 63-60.

The Wolves would be lead by Matt Ponik with 15 points and 3 assists, Shane Denooijer and John Travis would both add 13 points in the losing effort. Michigan – Dearborn will welcome another WHAC foe when Davenport University (8-10, 2-1) rolls in for a 3:00 PM tip – off on Saturday, January 19th.

Dearborn, MI – When it rains, it pours, and on Saturday afternoon it was pouring inside the Fieldhouse at Michigan – Dearborn. Conference rival Madonna (10-8, 2-1) would shoot lights out all game long from every point on the court. Guard Jon Battle would lead Madonna to a 96-81 victory and a double-double with 26 points and 12 rebounds. Helping Battle out, Charlie Henry would add 19 points of his own and lead the attack from beyond the arc.

The first half would see Michigan – Dearborn (7-10, 0-3) hang close with Steve Banks leading the way with 14 points, but Madonna would flex its muscles literally, using its combo of big men and marksmen Charlie Henry from outside the arc raining in 3-pointers and a total of 14 points with Jon Battle throwing 14 in and Cedric Sims with 10. As the game opened up, the Crusaders of Madonna were able to clearly cement themselves into the lead, up 50-32 going into the half.

The second half would see more continued frustration by UMD early as nothing was going their way. Leading scorer Steve Banks would have to sit early in the second half with 4 fouls and 16 points. From there on the Wolves would continue to struggle to make up ground as the Crusaders built a 30 point lead and held it for most of the second half. It wasn’t until late that the Wolves would pull the lead within a manageable distance, as Sean Mattia would turn up the heat and finish the game with 22 points, but it was too little too late and the Wolves would run out of time with the final score 96-81.

Michigan – Dearborn will stay at home as they seek to regroup and find their first conference win when they host Concordia University (5-11, 1-1) on January 16 th in the Fieldhouse, with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 PM.

Dearborn, MI – Michigan-Dearborn would look to get back on track in conference play after falling at Siena Heights on Saturday, but it would be a tough task at home against Cornerstone University. The Wolves would follow the lead of the women’s game, played early that night, and get off to a fast start in the first half. But also just like the women’s game, Cornerstone would be ready to match UMD point for point as the teams would go into the half with the Golden Eagles up 35-33.

The second half would continue to follow the same pattern, as poor shooting from the field would come to hurt the Wolves. The Golden Eagles of Cornerstone would shoot a blazing 56% in the second half compared to the miserable 25% by the Wolves. Though UMD went ice cold in the second half from the field they would be able to hang around until the last 5 minutes of the game with outstanding free throw shooting, knocking down 83% from the line. But even the good free throw shooting would not be enough for the Wolves as they wind up falling 83-72.

John Travis had a monster game for UMD dropping 17 points and grabbing 17 rebounds. Travis was joined by teammates Steve Banks (16 pts) and Sean Mattia (15 pts) to lead the way for the Wolves in the losing effort. Next up for Michigan – Dearborn (7-9, 0-2) is rival Madonna (9-8, 1-1) with tip-off scheduled for 3:00 PM in the UMD Fieldhouse.