Alabama Classic

Mavericks Battle to 96-91 Win in Tuscaloosa (1/13/05)

Playing with only 5 players, the Mavericks worked especially hard to beat a tough University of Illinois team, 96-91, at the Alabama Classic. Absent for the Mavericks were high scoring guards Raul Ortega, Paul Schulte, and Stephen Welch. Forward Rusty Belknap also did not make the trip.

Pressed into scoring roles, Dallas got double-figure performances out of Jermell Pennie (15), Willie Hernandez (15), and Ryan Hundemer (10). The Mavs had first half success using Jeff Glasbrenner in a “point forward” role to help feed Jason Van Beek for easy baskets in the low post. Van Beek’s 22 first half points staked Dallas to a 14 point lead at the intermission. The second half was a different story as stronger Illini defense and Maverick fatigue set in. By the midpoint of the 4th quarter, riding Adam Lancia’s 28-point game, Illinois had caught the Mavs. The game saw several lead changes in the final minutes with the Mavericks finally closing things out at the free throw line.

Van Beek finished with 30 points. Glasbrenner added a hard-fought 26.