Aces Shock Nation in Upsetting #22 UNI

Are you kidding me?  Aces fans, including me, were ready to throw this season to the wolves after the embarrassing loss to Illinois-Chicago in the Bracket Buster.  

I am a pretty optimistic fan when it comes to the Aces.  Even as I drove to the Stadium I didn’t give an upset over #22 Northern Iowa much of a chance.  However, I did type on my facebook page this afternoon:

Aces play their final home game tonight against #22 Northern Iowa. I hope the Aces can shock the nation tonight!

Shock the nation they did indeed.  I have been a fan of the Aces since they went to Division I.  There have been a lot of great upsets.  Purdue and DePaul come to mind in the 80s.  Oregon State in the Tournament, and the blizzard upset of #9 Creighton.  However, tonight’s 55-54 victory over #22 UNI has to rank right up there.  Especially considering the depleted roster, and so many freshmen and sophomores who are on the court most of the time.

I shot most of the game, but I was able to sneak the first 10 minutes up in the stands with my wife and son in the second half.  Even as the Aces lead grew to eleven, I was fearful of another painful loss.

However, the Aces refused to back down even as the Panthers made their run.  So many players stepped up to make this a total team effort.  Kavon Lacey was huge on offense.  He hit a three pointer when the Aces were struggling to find some offense.  Lacey finished with 11 points and 5 assists.  James Haarsma had the defensive play of the game against the MVC’s top player Adam Koch.  Haarsma took a charge against Koch fouling him out.  Pieter van Tongeren had two big-time baskets in the late stages, and Lacey sealed the victory at the free throw line.  The students rush the court and the Aces shocked the nation!

What a great move by head coach Marty Simmons in starting walk-on senior Trevor Gregory.  The Harrison product played well in three minutes and gave a great speech after the game.  He is the only senior on the team.

I just sent the highlights to ESPN and CNN so hopefully you will see them on the national networks.

Congrats to the Aces for not giving up and leaving Roberts Stadium for the final time as winners. 

Comments

[Ryan J]

Trevor is a great guy. So awesome of Marty to start him. And aces in the final four!

[Tom Moore]

Thank you for all you do.

[Lance Wilkerson]

Thanks Tom. Much appreciated.