WALTHAM, Mass. – Senior
Elias Rodl (Berlin, Germany/ Schulund Leistungssportzentrum Berlin) erupted for a career-high 41 points on Senior Day, but the Brandeis University men's basketball team could not overcome a strong performance from Washington University in St. Louis, falling 74-68 in UAA action.
TEAM RECORDS
- Brandeis, 13-11, 6-7 UAA.
- WashU, 17-7, 7-6 UAA.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Brandeis opened the game on a 10-0 run behind four early points from Rodl as well as buckets by sophomore Alex Zakheim (Bergenfield, N.J./ Perkiomen, Pa.) and graduate student Jai Deshpande (San Carlos, Calif./Sacred Heart Prep).
- The Bears responded midway through the first half with a series of layups and three-pointers, using a 25-2 stretch to flip the deficit into a double-digit lead.
- Rodl kept the Judges within striking distance, scoring 17 first-half points, including a late hook shot and assisting on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Deshpande to send Brandeis into the break trailing 39-29.
- The Judges chipped away early in the second half. A 3-pointer from Rodl and senior Enrique Perez (Miami, Fla./Riviera Prep) and additional baskets from Rodl cut the margin to two at 45-43 with 13 minutes left on the clock.
- Back-to-back threes from sophomore Ryan Weiss (Hewlett, N.Y./North Broward Prep) and Rodl brought Brandeis within one point, 50-49, midway through the half.
- However, each time the Judges threatened, WashU answered. The Bears rebuilt their double-digit cushion with 6:53 to play behind points in the paint from George Gale and multiple 3-pointers from Will Grudzinski.
- Rodl refused to let the Judges go quietly, converting four free throws in the last four minutes and knocking down a 3-pointer in the final minute to pull Brandeis within six.
- Brandeis got a couple of WashU turnovers late in the game, but saw a couple of long buckets rattle in and out.
- Rodl added a layup with 15 seconds left on the clock to eclipse the 40-point plateau, but WashU held on for the 74-68 victory.
RODL'S BIG DAY
- Rodl's 41 points led all scorers, he hit 16-of-24 from the field, 5-of-10 from 3-point range, and 4-of-4 from the line.
- Rodl completed a double-double with 11 rebounds.
- Rodl's 41-point game is the most since Feb. 11, 1992, when Steve Harrington '92 had 41 in a game against Amherst.
- After scoring 17 points in the first half, Rodl hit a jumper with 15:53 left in the game to reach 1,000 points for his career.
- He finished the day with 963 points in just two seasons in a Brandeis uniform, along with 56 scored in his two seasons at Division II St. Anselm to give him 1029 overall. He can become Brandeis's 37th 1,000-point scorer with another 37 in the season finale against NYU.
- With 562 points this season, Rodl moved into fifth place on the Judges' single-season scoring list.
- His 203 field goals this year mark just the 11th player to reach the milestone at Brandeis, while his 69 3-pointers are eighth all-time.
MORE INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Zakheim added nine points, six rebounds, and four assists, while Deshpande and graduate student DJ Courtney (Miami, Fla./Christopher Columbus) chipped in five points each.
- Will Grudzinski led the Bears with 21 points, Connor May added 16, and WashU received 44 bench points in the win.
- Brandeis shot 41.0 percent from the field (25-61) and 38.5 percent from three-point range (10-26), while converting 8-of-10 free throws. The Judges committed just four turnovers and recorded five steals.
- However, WashU shot 47.1 percent from the floor (32-68) and held a 45-31 rebounding advantage, including 13 offensive boards that led to 10 second-chance points to secure the win.
SENIOR DAY
- Before the game, Brandeis honored its four seniors playing in their final regular-season home games.
UP NEXT
- Brandeis concludes the regular season on Saturday, Feb. 28 at 1 p.m., traveling to New York City to face NYU in a final UAA matchup.
