Mundelein’s Brust coming up big for Badgers
Former Mundelein standout Ben Brust had his share of dunks in high school.
Last week, he got a big one in college.
Wisconsin’s starting No. 2 guard slammed one home when Wisconsin upset No. 2 Indiana 64-59 last week at Assembly Hall in Bloomington.
Brust’s dunk tied the game at 29-29 with 2:23 left in the first half.
He went on to score 9 points with 3 rebounds and 2 assists.
It was the highest-ranked road win in history for the Badgers, who won their fifth straight at Assembly Hall.
Brust is averaging 10.7 points for the Badgers and leads the team (13-5, 4-1 in the Big Ten) with 54 assists and 20 steals.
Ÿ Luther College’s John Androus (Lakes) grabbed 10 rebounds and scored 9 points in a 62-56 overtime victory over Buena Vista, which kept the Norse unbeaten and in first place in the conference.
It also snapped Buena Vista’s 10-game win streak.
The win gives Luther a league record of 4-0 and 11-4 overall. Buena Vista is now 3-1, 11-4.
Women’s soccer
Eclipse Select U-18 team member Samantha Powers of Gurnee committed to Bucknell’s women’s soccer program in September.
She will kick off her first season with the Bison later this fall under coach Ben Landis.
“I was just looking for schools that had a good balance with school work and a competitive soccer program, and they just continued to stay on the list,” Powers said on the Eclipse website. “I enjoyed speaking with coach Landis and I felt really welcome. They continued to be my top choice, so I’m really excited to be joining the Bison.”
Bucknell is based in Lewisburg, Pa., a small town of less than 6,000 people located near the center of Pennsylvania, and Powers said she got a lot out of her visits.
“I went on an unofficial visit about a year ago and met most of the team,” Powers added. “I stayed with one of the players and hung out to watch a training session, went to class, went to dinner with the coach and had breakfast with the team. In my official visit I watched a men’s game, went to a pumpkin patch and corn maze and met the other women recruits.
“They were all very welcoming,” Powers said. “The way the seniors interact with the freshmen, it seems like a close-knit like a family.”
Bucknell competes in the Patriot League and rebounded well from a disappointing 2011 to double its win total to 10 in 2012.
It was a promising step for a program that enjoyed some successful years with Landis at the helm, including a 2005 Patriot League tournament title and regular-season crowns in 2006 and 2007.
“They’ve won the Patriot League and have played in the NCAA Tournament, so the players are all committed to the team,” Powers said. “There are a handful of players who were key players as seniors that are leaving, so I’m going to come in and do my best in preseason training and try to earn a spot.”
In terms of her role, Powers says she is open to both defense and the midfield.
“Coach said that I could be playing on the outside flank, outside back or the center mid — wherever there is a need,” Powers said. “He definitely liked that I could play multiple positions, so I can step in wherever they need me.”
Men’s track and field
Illinois Wesleyan sophomore sprinter Ryan Darcy (Buffalo Grove) was named the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Indoor men’s track and field athlete of the week.
Darcy won the 60-meter dash with a time of 7.01 during a triangular meet at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. The Titans competed against both the Fightin’ Engineers and Washington (Mo.).
Men’s swimming
Carthage junior Eric Primdahl (St. Viator)was named the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin men’s swimmer of the week.
Primdahl finished second in both the 100-yard and 200-yard backstrokes in a dual meet with Lewis.
His time in the 100 backstroke was 55.85 and his time in the 200 backstroke was 2:02.35. Both times were lifetime bests.
Game of the week
Comcast’s Game of the Week from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. today features Fremd’s 49-48 double-overtime boys basketball victory over Barrington from Saturday night.
Relay For Life at Prospect
On Friday, Feb. 8, Prospect High School will hold the kickoff for this year’s American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Mt. Prospect/Prospect Heights.
The kickoff will be from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. during the sophomore and varsity games against visiting Elk Grove.
The event has been titled “Fear the Knight — Conquer Cancer.”
Tables will be set up where people can register for the Relay and get more information about the event.
In addition, T-shirts will be sold and raffles held for prizes. There will also be a 50-50 raffle, along with other games and activities.
Ÿ Please email Sports Notes items to jleusch@dailyherald.com or FAX to (847) 427-1173.