Thursday, January 3rd, 2019
College Notes
Bruns, Knapke having good seasons in college
By Colin Foster
They were once the "Twin Towers" for Marion Local.
A few years removed from high school, Ryan Bruns and Luke Knapke have turned into really good players at the collegiate level.
Bruns and the Ohio Northern men's basketball team snapped a six-game losing streak last Thursday at the D3hoops.com Classic in Las Vegas.
Bruns played a full game for the Polar Bears, tallying 12 points, four rebounds, five assists and four blocked shots in a 63-61 victory over North Central (Illinois).
Last season, Bruns was an All-American selection and the Ohio Athletic Conference Player of the Year. The senior is leading the way again this season, averaging 20 points per game and 7.9 rebounds. He has also been a force defensively, posting 33 blocks in 12 games. He has a streak of four or more stuffs in the last five contests.
The 4-8 Polar Bears, coached by Minster alum Rich Bensmen, visit Muskingum on Saturday.
Knapke and the Toledo Rockets have been a problem for opponents this season.
The Rockets are in the midst of a 10-game winning streak to bring their record to 12-1. Eight of those wins have come by double-digit margins, the most recent being a 77-45 victory over Penn last Saturday.
Knapke is averaging 10.3 points and 6.3 rebounds for Toledo, which opens Mid-American Conference play on Friday against Ball State at Savage Arena.
Mikesell, Flyers
piling up wins
St. Henry's Ryan Mikesell and the Dayton Flyers have won three straight games to raise their record to 8-5. The Flyers' most recent win was a 94-90 victory over Georgia Southern last Friday at UD Arena.
Mikesell is averaging 8.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and nearly two assists.
Dayton begins Atlantic 10 play on Sunday, hosting Richmond.
Hoyng and Hoyng update
Celina graduates Caleb Hoyng and Ryan Hoyng have had strong seasons for their college teams.
Caleb Hoyng is playing for Marietta and is averaging 8.8 points, with a high of 26 in a Nov. 28 win over No. 7 Wittenberg. Marietta is ranked eighth in Division III and is coming off an 80-77 victory over Lake Forest College last weekend at the D3 Desert Invitational in Phoenix. Up next for Marietta is a visit to Heidelberg on Saturday.
Ryan Hoyng and Ohio Dominican fell to 8-4 on the season with last night's 84-80 loss at West Virginia State.
Ryan Hoyng made 6 of 7 attempts from the 3-point line and finished with 20 points in the loss. He has now surpassed double digits in five of six games to bring his scoring average to 9.6 points.
The Panthers host Ohio Valley on Saturday.
Oilers out to good start
Minster alum Charlie Ernst has guided the Findlay men to a 10-2 start, which has earned the Oilers a No. 23 ranking. They are coming off a 113-65 victory over Cray on Dec. 29 and will travel to Davis & Elkins College for a game tonight.
Marion Local graduate Allie Thobe is shining for the Findlay women. In her senior season, Thobe is averaging 8.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists. The Oilers are 8-3 and will join the men on the road in West Virginia tonight to face Davis & Elkins.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Will making impact for Cougars
Fort Recovery alum Whitney Will had a career-high 20 points for the St. Francis Cougars on Sunday in a 75-72 loss to Shawnee State in Portsmouth. Will made 8 of 12 shot attempts and 4 of 5 from the foul line. She also added four rebounds and two assists.
The Cougars are ranked 25th in the NAIA Coaches' poll this week and have a record of 11-6. Up next is a visit to Taylor University on Saturday.
Mescher, Polar Bears start strong
Fellow Marion Local graduate Emily Mescher is averaging 9.1 points and 6.8 rebounds in her junior season for the Ohio Northern women. The Polar Bears went 1-1 in Las Vegas, beating Carthage (Wisconsin) and losing to Willamette (Oregon) in the finale.
The Ohio Northern women host Muskingum on Saturday.
Note: To help us compile an updated list of local college athletes, athletic directors, parents or interested parties can email The Daily Standard sports staff at either cfoster@dailystandard.com or grasberry@dailystandard.com.
