Voeltz, Koonkaew, Anderson, Elling Named to All-WIAC Teams

March 5, 2009

Guards Jesse Elling (Sr., River Falls, Wis.), Jontae Koonkaew (So., Apple Valley, Minn.) and Aaron Anderson (Fr., Stillwater, Minn.) and forward Jake Voeltz (So., River Falls, Wis.) have all been named to All-WIAC men's basketball teams.

Elling was named to the All-Sportsmanship team while Koonkaew, Anderson and Voeltz all earned honorable mention to the All-WIAC team.

“I am very happy for our players,” said Falcon Coach Jeff Berkhof. “There were a lot of good players in the WIAC and to have three players recognized by the other head coaches shows their quality of play throughout the season. With these individuals returning and leading the way, we look forward to a promising future for Falcon basketball."

Elling, 6-1, played in 24 games and averaged 2.9 points and 1.7 rebounds a game. He finished the year with seven assists, four blocks and 15 steals. He scored a season-high nine points in a game against St. Scholastica and tied a career-high with seven rebounds in a game against UW-Superior. The WIAC's All-Sportsmanship team is for individuals that displayed exemplary sportsmanship throughout the season. The team included one member from each school as selected by that school. "This is a very well deserved honor for Jesse. He was always respectful of our opponents and a great team player for our program," said Berkhof.

Koonkaew, 5-9, played and started all 26 games for the Falcons. He led the team in scoring averaging 15 points a game. He also led the team with 124 assists and 36 steals. He led the WIAC in assists. He averaged four rebounds a game. Koonkaew scored in double figures in 22 games and scored a career-high 28 points in a game against UW-Stout on Feb. 18. He twice had a career-high nine assists in games against Bemidji State on Dec. 20 and against Hamline on Dec. 30. Koonkaew finished ninth in scoring and eighth in steals in the WIAC. "Jontae had an excellent season for us, he led the WIAC in assists and was ninth in scoring," said Berkhof.

Anderson, 6-4, averaged 8.6 points for the Falcons. He led the team with 44 three-pointers and led the WIAC in three-point shooting percentage (44-88, .500). Anderson averaged 2.9 rebounds a game and had 31 assists, four blocks and 16 steals. He was 11th in the WIAC in made three pointers. He scored in double figures 12 times and scored a career-high 21 points in a game against Eau Claire on Feb. 7. He had a career-high eight rebounds in his first collegiate game on Nov. 18. He played in and started all 26 games for the Falcons. "As a freshman, Aaron established himself as one of the best three-point shooters in the conference," said Berkhof.

Voeltz, 6-4, played in all 26 games and started 25 times. He was second in scoring averaging 11.2 points and rebounding with a 5.5 per game average. He had 39 assists and finished second in blocks (13) and steals (29). Voeltz scored in double figures in 15 games and had double figures in rebounds in three contests. He had two double-doubles. In a game against UW-Stout on Feb. 18 he grabbed a career-high 17 rebounds and also scored 17 points. He scored a career-high 22 points in a game against Hamline on Dec. 30. He finished with 12 rebounds in that contest. "Jake was a thorn in the side of many teams in our league with his scoring and rebounding," said Berkhof.

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Second Half Rally Falls Short For Falcons in WIAC Playoff Game at UWW

Feb. 24, 2009

After tying the score at 5-5 in the early going, the Warhawks set out on a 13-0 run. The Falcons could not find an answer and ended the first half down by 21 points, 49-28.

Jake Voeltz had only two points in the first half, but came out strong to start the second. Voeltz had 16 points in the first 10 minutes of the second half to spark the Falcon comeback.

After a Jesse Elling three, Voeltz dropped in a field goal to pull the Falcons within two points, 65-63, with 7:07 to play. WW responded with a three pointer of its own along with another field goal to extend the lead to seven, 70-63, with 6:15 remaining.

WW extended the lead to 10 points at 82-72 with just 1:18 to play but the Falcons would not go quietly. Danny Johnson knocked home a three pointer to trim the lead once again. The Falcons made it a one-possession game at 84-81 with 14 seconds left when Johnson hit yet another three pointer; but WW's Matt Goodwin nailed two free throws with eight seconds left to seal the victory for the Warhawks.

Voeltz led the Falcons with a solid all-around performance. He finished with 20 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two blocks. Johnson was 5-8 from behind the three-point line and finished with 17 points. Jontae Koonkaew chipped in 10 points.

Goodwin scored 25 points to lead the Warhawks.

The Falcons shot 25-54 (.463) from the field including a stellar 11-22 (.500) from beyond the arc. WW finished the game a smart 26-47 (.553) from the field and only 3-8 (.375) from three-point range. Each team committed 19 turnovers.

A combined 47 fouls were called in the game. RF was whistled for 29 personal fouls and WW committed 18. RF finished 20-24 (.833) from the free throw line while WW finished 31-39 (.795) from the line. WW shot 9-12 from the free throw line down the stretch to nip the Falcons comeback.

The Falcons finish the season 11-15 overall.

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Falcons Fall Short Against Whitewater, Losing 72-68

Feb. 21, 2009

River Falls entered the final weekend of WIAC play hosting the UW-Whitewater Warkawks. A win secured the final spot in the WIAC Tourament, a loss and they would need help from Oshkosh.

The Falcons battled hard, but came up just short losing 72-68.

Whitewater opened with a 10-0 run. It took River Falls almost five minutes to get their first bucket. Aaron Anderson got the Falcons on the board with 15:05 remaining in the half with a three-pointer.

The Falcons went on a 15-5 run to tie the game at 15. Whitewater took a 34-32 lead into the break.

WIth 12:45 to go in the second half the Warhawks had their largest second half lead at six. Four straight Jontae Koonkaew points pulled the Falcons within two.

The lead changed hands 12 times in the second half alone.

River Falls lead 68-67 with 1:25 to go after Jake Voeltz finished an inbound lob from Danny Johnson.

Thirty seconds later, Myles McKay hit a jumper from the right elbow with the shot clock winding down to give Whitewater the lead for good.

Voetlz missed a three-point attempt with under 10 seconds remaining that would have tied the game.

McKay lead all scores with 29 points and was just one of two Warhawks in double-figures. Chris Vines had 11.

Koonkaew was the leading Falcon scorer with 19, 15 of those coming in the second half. Voetlz had 11, the only other Falcon in double-figures.

Oshkosh was able to knock off Superior, so River Falls will play again this Tuesday at Whitewater in a rematch of today's game. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.

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Koonkaew's 28 Leads Falcons to 74-59 at Johnson Fieldhouse

Feb. 18, 2009

The Falcons traveled to Johnson Fieldhouse in Menomonie to take on the Stout Blue Devils in a must win. River Falls left with a 74-59 win behind the 28 points from Jontae Koonkaew.

RF came in half-game ahead of both Superior and La Crosse. Superior was off and La Crosse was crushed by Stevens Point. The Falcons now have sole possession of the sixth and final spot, heading into the last weekend of the regular season.

Stout's Josh Huettl hit a three with 8:24 to go in the first half to give the Blue Devils an 11-point advantage.

On the Falcons next possession Aaron Anderson would jump start the River Falls offense with a three of his own. River Falls went on an 18-4 to close out the half, taking a three point lead into the locker room.

River Falls never trailed again. They lead by as many as 18, before coming out with a 15 point win.

Only three players in the game finished in double-figures.

Jerrel Enerson-Mathews finished with 22 to lead the Blue Devils.

Koonkaew led all scores with his 28. He also had six rebounds and six assists. Jake Voeltz chipped in 17 points and pulled down a career-high 17 rebounds.

The regular season finale will be Saturday, when the Falcons host Whitewater. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m.

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Falcons Fall At UWO, 71-95

Feb. 14, 2009

The Falcons could not contain UWO's hot shooting and lost 71-95 Saturday afternoon at Oshkosh.

UWO held a 12-point advantage over the Falcons at halftime, 52-40. After the intermission UWO pulled away from RF for good with a 25-8 run to push the lead to 77-48. The Falcons could not recover and fall to 10-13 overall, 4-10 WIAC.

Matt Miller scored 29 points for UWO and connected on 8-10 from three-point range. D.J. Marsh scored 23 and had 10 rebounds for UWO.

Danny Johnson led the Falcons with 15 points, including 3-6 from beyond the arc. Colin Utke added 12 points and Jontae Koonkaew chipped in 11 points.

The Falcons finished the game 26-54 (.481) from the field, 7-18 (.389) from three-point range, and 12-13 (.923) from the free throw line. UWO finished the game 33-55 (.600) from the field, 13-19 (.684) from three-point range, and 16-23 (.696) from the free throw line.

UWO held a 31-23 rebounding advantage for the game.

Up next the Falcons travel to Menomonie to face UW-Stout on Wednesday night. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.

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Hannigan Hits Game Winner As Falcons Win in Overtime, 85-83

Feb. 11, 2009

The Falcons needed 44:59 to win at La Crosse. Brady Hannigan's jumper with one second left in overtime gave the Falcons a 85-83 win. The teams proved to be very evenly matched once again. In their last meeting the Falcons won a 62-61 decision at the Karges Center.

Four ties and four lead changes in the first half set the tone for what was to be a very tightly contested contest. Neither team led by more than five in the half.

In the second half the Falcons were able to build a nine-point lead thanks to a 12-0 run. Jontae Koonkaew had six points during the run, that was capped by a Danny Johnson three-point bomb.

Jake Voeltz hit two free throws to give River Falls a three-point lead with just three seconds to go. La Crosse's Tony Mane answered with a three to send the game to overtime.

Wtih :42 to go in overtime Trevor Stratton tied the game up, knocking down two free throws.

Aaron Anderson got a look at the basketball with 10 seconds to go, his shot missed the mark. Hannigan came away with the offensive rebound and put it back for the win.

Stratton's desperation three pointer was no good.

Mane and Stratton were the games two leading scores with 29 and 24, respectively. Kurt Kincaid added 15 points and nine rebounds.

Five Falcons scored in double-figures. Voeltz and Koonkaew each had 18 in the game. Anderson ended with 16. Hannigan had 13, just missing a double-double by one rebound. Wade Guerin finished with 10.

River Falls out rebounded the Eagles 49-37.

Up next the Falcons travel to Oshkosh this Saturday for a 1 p.m. start.

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Anderson's 21 Not Enough to Hold off Blugolds

Feb. 7, 2009

The Falcons hosted the Eau Claire Blugolds in a game that they needed to win to keep hold of the 6th spot in the WIAC tournament.  Despite Aaron Anderson’s 21, the Falcons were unable to get the win.  The Blugolds came into Karges Center and walked away with a 78-72 victory.  It was the Falcons second straight loss at home.

River Falls lead 6-4 early in the game, but Eau Claire was able to take control early in the first half.  The Falcons went four minutes without a basket and EC was able to go on a 13-0 run.

Eau Claire was able to build a 16-point first half lead before the Falcons rallied. After trailing 36-20, the Falcons went on a 12-0 run to end the half.  At the half, the Falcons trailed by only four. 

Jake Voeltz scored the first points of the second half to extend the run to 14-0.  RF took the lead at 15:46 on a Wade Guerin three-pointer.  The Falcons held leads between two and four for the next six minutes.

Until Eau Claire took the lead for good with 5:27 left, the game was back and forth.  Three lead changes and two ties over the course of four minutes.

It seemed that every time over the games lasts five minutes that the Falcons scored the Blugolds answered with a big bucket of their own.  EC extended their lead to six, before a Guerin three-point play cut the lead to three.  The Blugolds answered right back, after Josh Prince knocked down a jumped to beat the shot clock.

Prince and Jeff Probst combined to make 2-4 free throws in the game’s final seconds to ice the win.

Four Blugolds scored in double-figures with Ryan Shea’s 15 leading the way.

Aaron Anderson led the Falcons in scoring with his career-high 21 points.  It was his hot shooting that kept the Falcons in the game when it looked like the Blugolds would run away with it.  Guerin had 15 points and 12 rebounds for his seconds double-double on the year.

Voeltz and Jontae Koonkaew also had double-figures with 11 and 10, respectively.

The Falcons travel to La Crosse on Wednesday to take on the Eagles.  The last time these two teams met River Falls won a 62-61 decision. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.

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Culy's 32 Too Much For Falcons

Feb. 4, 2009

River Falls and Superior came into tonight's game looking at the 6th and final spot in the WIAC Tournament. The Falcons had sole possession of the final spot coming into the game, with Superior right behind them. It was all Yellowjackets in this one as they walked away victorious 69-56.

Superior's Dan Culy came into the game having had good success at the Karges Center in his brief career and tonight was no different. The last time he played at River Falls, the Rice Lake native hit a game-winner to beat the Falcons, 76-74.

Culy and the Falcon's Aaron Anderson both started hot, combing to score the games first 13 points. After four minutes the Falcons trailed 8-5.

The Falcons trailed most of the first half, and by 10 on two different occasions. As the first half reached its conclusion the Falcons were able to scrape together two ties and trailed by only two at the break.

Anderson came out and hit a three-pointer to open the second half giving the Falcons their first lead of the game. Three minutes later, Anderson hit another three to put the Falcons back up one, but that was their final lead.

Throughout the remainder of game the Yellowjackets were able to build their lead to 14, before coming away with a 13-point win.

Culy lead all scores with 32. Shane Manor added 18 for the Yellowjackets.

Three Falcons ended with double-figures. Anderson had 15 to lead the team. Wade Guerin and Colin Utke ended with 14 and 10, respectively.

The Falcons will host Eau Claire this weekend. Earlier this year River Falls erased a 23-point second half decifit, but were unable to complete the comeback against the Blugolds. They will try to get revenge this weekend. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m.

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Falcons Fall to Pioneers, 72-51

Jan. 31, 2009

UW-River Falls traveled to UW-Platteville to take on the Pioneers. Regardless of the Falcons' good shooting, UWP proved to be too much for UWRF to handle. The Falcons lost, 72-51.

Leading scorers for the Falcons included Jontae Koonkaew who had 12 points, Wade Guerin with 12 points, and Colin Utke who scored 10. Koonkaew, Guerin, and Utke all had two steals a piece, as well.

The Falcons were outrebounded by the Pioneers 32 to 18. Guerin and Aaron Anderson had four rebounds a piece, which led the Falcons on the boards.

As a team, UWRF shot 38.6 percent (17-44) from the field, 28.6 percent (6-21) from the three-point line, and 57.9 percent (11-19) from the free throw line. Guerin and Utke shot 3-7 (42.9 percent) and 3-8 (37.5 percent) from the field respectively. Koonkaew and Utke each shot 2-5 (40.0 percent) from beyond the arc.

UWP was led by Jeff Skemp who had 26 points. This is the tenth time this season that Skemp has scored at least 20 points. Charlie Lohoff chipped in 17 points of his own, and Curt Hanson had four steals. In the second half, the Pioneers shot 72.2 percent (13-8) from the field.

The Falcons are now 3-7 in the WIAC and 9-10 overall. UWP is ranked 4th in the D3hoops.com poll. With this win, they advance to 10-1 in the WIAC and 18-2 overall.

The Falcons host two conference games next week at the Karges Center. On Feb. 4, Superior will make their way South to take on the Falcons at 7 p.m. At 3 p.m. on Feb. 7, UWRF will face the Eau Claire Blugolds.

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Falcons Fall to Pointers in Conference Clash, 86-64

Jan. 28, 2009

The Falcons fell at Stevens Point to a very good team looking to win a conference title, and possibly a national title. The Pointers came into the game ranked No. 3 in the D3Hoops.com Poll. River Falls never lead and were blown out on the Pointers home court.

Stevens Point stormed out to a big halftime advantage taking the lead 48-31 into the break. The Falcons pulled within eight late in the half, but an 11-2 run by the Pointers gave them the large halftime lead.

The second half was much closer with the Pointers only outscoring the Falcons 38-33.

Jonate Koonkaew finished with 16 points to lead the Falcons, on 7-9 shooting. Colin Utke finished with 14. Jake Voeltz and Wade Guerin each added 10.

Pete Rortvedt lead the way for the Pointers with 18. Matt Moses and Bryan Beamish each ended with 16.

Up next the Falcons travel to Platteville on Saturday to take on another higly ranked team. The Pioneers are ranked No. 4 in the D3Hoops.com Poll. Tip off is set for 1 p.m.

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Falcons Come Back and Hold on to Beat Eagles 62-61

Jan. 21, 2009

The Falcons Men's basketball team overcame an 11-point deficit with just over 10 minutes to go to knock off the La Crosse Eagles at the Karges Center. Tony Mane missed a 17-foot shot at the buzzer with a chance to win it for the Eagles.

For most of the first half it was a very up and down game that consisted of seven ties in the game's first nine minutes. La Crosse was able to build an 11-point lead with 2:04 to go in the half.

Three straight baskets for the Falcons in the half's last two minutes put the La Crosse halftime lead at five.

Aaron Anderson had all seven of his points in the first half.

The Eagles came out hot to start the half, scoring seven straight points for a 12-point lead. River Falls climbed back within two with 13:57 to go.

La Crosse was able to extend their lead to double-digits again four minutes later. Then, the Falcons would go on a 16-2 run to take back the lead.

With 0:49 to go the Falcons lead by six, before Mane hit a three to the lead to three. Spencer Shelman then missed the front end of a one-and-one.

Al Chery tipped in a basket to move the Eagles within one, with 0:17 left. Anderson missed his first free throw and gave the ball back to La Crosse with 13 seconds and a chance to win.

Mane missed at the buzzer and the Falcons were victorious. Mane lead all scores with 25, he also was the only player in double figures.

Danny Johnson and Jonate Koonkaew lead the Falcons with nine apiece. Johnson hit on 3-5 three-point shots.

River Falls improves to 9-8 overall, and 3-5 in the WIAC. La Crosse falls to 8-9 and 2-6 in conference play.

The Falcons have Saturday off, and their next WIAC match-up will come next Wednesday at Stevens Point. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.

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Falcon Comeback Falls Just Short at EC

Jan. 17, 2009

The Falcon men’s basketball team fell three points short of completing a comeback from 23 points down in the second half at UW-Eau Claire on Saturday afternoon.

The Blugolds were able to hold on for a 76-73 win.

The Falcons led by four early in the game but could not hold the lead. EC shot 15-25 (.600) from the field in the first half, including 7-9 (.778) from three-point range, to build a 13-point lead at the break.

Jake Voeltz had eight points in the first half to lead the Falcons.
EC continued to shoot the lights out early in the second half. The Blugolds knocked down three of their first five shots from beyond the arc to start the second half.

After falling behind by as many as 23 in the second half, the Falcons clawed their way back into the game, keyed by the play of Colin Utke. Utke scored 18 second-half points, including 4-4 from three-point range, to pull within two points of Eau Claire with under a minute to go.

EC knocked down critical free throws down the stretch, however, to preserve the WIAC victory.

Utke’s career-high 18 points led the Falcons. Danny Johnson scored 13 and Jontae Koonkaew chipped in 10 points. Wade Guerin led RF with 10 rebounds and just missed a double-double with nine points for the game.

EC out rebounded the Falcons 32-30 for the game and each team turned the ball over 16 times. EC (9-6, 3-4 WIAC) was 18-26 (.692) from the free throw line while RF was only 8-12 (.667) from the line. The Falcons shot 28-57 (.491) from the field, including 9-20 (.450) from three-point range.

The Falcons, now 8-8 overall and 2-5 in the WIAC, will host UW-La Crosse on Wednesday at Karges Center. Tipoff is at 7 p.m.

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Falcons Lose Second Straight Game in OT

Jan. 14, 2009

The Falcon men's basketball team lost in overtime for the second straight game, 73-67, at UW-Superior on Wednesday night.

UWRF held a 34-27 first half lead and regulation ended in a 63-63 tie. UWS outscored the Falcons, 10-4, in the extra session.

UWS led the entire overtime. After trailing, 66-63, the Falcons cut the lead to one, 66-65, with 2:04 to play when Wade Guerin made two free throws. UWS again took a three point lead, 68-65, with 1:52 to go, but again the Falcons got to within one. With 1:33 to play Jontae Koonkaew scored on a lay up to make it a 68-67 game. But UWS scored the final five points of the game - four points came on jumpers and one on a free throw.

In the second half the Falcons led by as much as 13 points, 44-31, with 17:11 to play. UWS finally tied the game with 3:09 to play, 57-57. UWS went ahead, 59-57 to cap a 8-0 run with 2:22 to play. But Jake Voeltz hit a jumper to tie the game, 59-59, with 1:42 to play. UWS took another two point lead with 1:21 to play, but again the Falcons tied the score. Brady Hannigan scored on a lay up with 58 seconds to play. The Falcons grabbed a 63-61 lead with just 23 seconds to go when Hannigan, who finished with nine points and five rebounds, hit two three throws. But UWS forced the overtime when Jake Smith scored on a lay up with 10 seconds to go.

Koonkaew led the Falcons with 19 points and five assists. He also had seven rebounds. Voeltz added 10 points, four rebounds, three blocks and four assists. Guerin led UWRF with eight rebounds. UWRF shot 25-60 (.417) from the field, including 6-25 (.240) from behind the arc. They were 11-12 (.917) from the line. The Falcons dominated the boards and held a 41-23 advantage.

UWS, now 8-6 overall and 1-4 in the WIAC, was led by Smith who scored 24 points. The Jackets shot 30-64 (.469) from the field, including 1-9 (.111) from three-point range. They were 12-21 from the line.

The Falcons, now 8-7 overall and 2-4 in the WIAC, will play at UW-Eau Claire on Saturday with action starting at 3 p.m.

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Falcons Force OT, but Fall to Pointers 94-87

Jan. 7, 2009

The Falcons faced their fourth nationally opponent of the season. River Falls forced OT, but were unable to get the upset. Stevens Point is ranked sixth in the D3Hoops.com Poll and was able to escape Karges with an overtime win.   

With the exception of the first two minutes the Pointers held a lead for the first 28 minutes of the game.  Khalifa El-Amin had 15 points in the games first seven minutes. 

River Falls was able to cut the lead to five just before halftime, but five Bryan Beamish points in the last 16.7 seconds extended the lead to 10 going into the break.  Brady Hannigan had 10 first half points, hitting all four shots from the field.

El-Amin and Beamish ended the half with 17 and 16, respectively. 

Stevens Point was able to extend the lead to 13 in the second half, before the Falcons started their comeback.  Hannigan hit two free throws and Aaron Anderson scored twice to cut the lead to seven with 16:16 remaining. Jared Jenkins scored on the Pointers next trip to push the advantage to nine. 

Anderson and Hannigan each scored again a few minutes later to make it a four point game.  River Falls took over the lead again at 10:56 behind a Danny Johnson three point bucket. 

The game would remain relatively close until Pete Rortvedt scored and put the Pointers up six with just over a minute to go.  Jontae Koonkaew was then fouled by Jenkins and missed the front end of a one-and-one.  Koonkaew’s hustle kept the ball alive and the Pointers knocked it out-of-bounds. 

Anderson scored on the ensuing out-of-bounds play and cut the lead to four.  Beamish missed the front end of a Wade Guerin foul and the Falcons regained possession.

Koonkaew hit a jumper with 41 seconds left and the Falcons were within two.  Jenkins was unable to convert on his free throw opportunity and the Falcons had a chance to tie. Koonkaew found Jake Voeltz wide open for the tying score with 11 seconds remaining.

El-Amin brought the ball down with a chance for the win, but stepped on the baseline with five seconds left and turned the ball back over to River Falls.  Koonkaew missed a 16-foot runner at the buzzer and sent the game into overtime. 

In overtime it was all Stevens Point.  The Pointers shot 4-4 from the field and 9-15 from the line, outscoring the Falcons 19-12 in the extra session.  River Falls was able to get within three with 33 seconds left but the Pointer made four of six free throws to seal the deal.

Each team had five players in double-figures.  Beamish lead all scores with 24 and El-Amin added 19.  Jenkins, Rortvedt, and Matt Moses were the other Pointers in double-figures.

Koonkaew lead the Falcons with 15.  Hannigan ended with 14.  Guerin had a double-double 12 points and 12 rebounds.  Anderson and Voeltz added 11 and 12, respectively. 

River Falls is off this weekend, they will travel to Superior next Wednesday (Jan. 14th) to take on the Yellowjackets.  Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.

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Falcons Earn Win at Hamline, 81-76

Dec. 30, 2008

Jake Voeltz scored a career-high 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to help lead the Falcon men's basketball team to an 81-76 win at Hamline on Tuesday night.

The game was close throughout - the biggest lead had RF ahead, 79-72, with just 17 seconds to play. The Pipers had the biggest lead in the first half, six, 26-20, with 6:28 to play. There were eight ties in the game - the last came with 8:07 to play, 57-57. Hamline held a 35-33 lead at halftime.

HU held its last lead, 58-57, with 8:06 to play. From there the Falcons went on an 8-0 run to take a 65-58 lead with 6:21 to play. Aaron Anderson hit a three to give the Falcons a 60-58 lead with 7:39 to go and later Voeltz hit a jumper, was fouled, and made the free throw to complete the three-point play to give UWRF a 63-58 lead with 6:50 to play.

The closest the Pipers would get after that was two, 66-64, with 4:22 to go when Eric Clute hit a jumper. But the Falcons scored the next four points with three of them coming from a Voeltz three-pointer with 2:40 to go.

Voeltz's previous career high was 17 points in a win over Stout. He was 9-15 from the floor, including 1-1 from behind the arc. He finished 3-3 at the line. He also led UWRF with three steals.

Three other Falcons finished in double figures - Jontae Koonkaew scored 18, Aaron Anderson 13 and Spencer Shelman 10. Shelman's 10 points tied his career-high. He scored 10 points in a win at Bemidji. Koonkaew, who finished 10-11 at the line, had nine assists, the second time in the past three games that he has had nine helpers.

UWRF was 28-60 (.467) from the field, including 5-14 (.357) from three-point range. They were 20-26 (.769) from the line. The Falcons finished with a slight, 34-32, advantage in rebounds.

Hamline, now 3-5 overall, was led by Clute and Tanner Anderson who both finished with 15 points. The Pipers were 30-59 (.508) from the field, including 8-15 (.533) from behind the arc. They finished 8-13 (.615) from the line.

The Falcons, now 8-4 overall and 2-1 in the WIAC, return to conference play on Saturday at Whitewater. Tip off is set for 1 p.m. UWW is ranked No. 6 in the D3Hoops.com poll.

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Falcons down Scots 77-44

Dec. 29, 2008

River Falls came off the Holiday Break with a convincing win over the Scots of Macalester College. Jonate Koonkaew and Jake Voeltz combined for 31 points in the victory, 16 and 15 respectively.

The Falcons built a 15 point lead with just about 7:30 left in the first half, but Macalester scored the next six points to cut the lead to nine.  Coach Berkhof called a perfectly timed time out with 4:50 left and the rout was on.

River Falls scored 16 of the last 20 first half points to take a 40-19 lead at the break. Danny Johnson and Wade Guerin had all ten of their points in the first half. 

In the second half, the Falcons outscored the Scots 35-27.  Joe Ganske and Michael Adams scored their first points as Falcons in the final minutes.  

Macalester shot 37.5 percent from the field and 0-15 from behind the arc.  Colin Keeley and David Lewin were the leading scores for the Scots with eight a piece.

River Falls improved to 7-4 on the year with the win. The Scots fell to 0-9.

The Falcons travel to Hamline tomorrow night to take the Pipers, tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.

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Koonkaew Named WIAC Player of the Week

Dec. 23, 2008

Guard Jontae Koonkaew (So., Apple Valley, Minn.) had one of his best games ever with the Falcons and has been named the WIAC men's basketball Player of the Week according to league Sports Information Director, Matt Stanek.

Koonkaew, 5-9, 175 pounds, had a career-best game in two categories in the team's 82-77 win at Div. II Bemidji State on Saturday.

Hescored 27 points and dished out nine assists, both career highs, in the win. He scored 13 of his 27 points in the final 3:55 of the game that sparked the Falcons in a come-back from a 10-point second half deficit. He also had two rebounds and two steals in 38 minutes of playing time.

Koonkaew leads the Falcons in scoring averaging 16.6 points a game. He averages three rebounds a game and leads UWRF with 46 assists.

The Falcons, now 6-4 overall, will next host Macalester on Monday at 7 p.m., at the Karges Center.

Koonkaew Scores Career-High 27 in Win at BSU

Dec. 20, 2008

Jontae Koonkaew scored 27 points and dished out nine assists, both career highs, to help lead the Falcon men's basketball team to an 82-77 win at Bemidji State on Saturday night.

The Falcons started the game with a 10-2 run in the first six minutes of the game and built their lead to as many as 15 points in the first half. Bemidji State closed the first half on a 17-5 run, however, to narrow the UWRF lead to only two, 39-37.

Koonkaew led the Falcons in the first half with nine points and five assists. Jake Lindstrom scored 14 in the first half to pace Bemidji State.

BSU fought back in the second half and built a 10-point lead with 4:19 to play. From that point on, Koonkaew put the team on his back and took over the game. He scored 13 of his game-high 27 points in the final 3:55 to spark the comeback. Brady Hannigan and Spencer Shelman sealed the win with a combined six free throws in the final minute.

Koonkaew added two steals and two rebounds to go with nine assists and 27 points on 10-21 shooting, including 3-5 from the three-point line. Jake Voeltz scored 10 points for the Falcons and led the team with eight rebounds. Wade Guerin scored 14 points and Shelman finished with 10 points.

UWRF shot 27-63 (.429) from the field and 20-24 (.833) from the free throw line for the game. The Falcons were out rebounded 38-33.

Lindstrom led BSU with 25 points. The Beavers shot 27-60 (.450) from the field and 19-21 (.905) from the line.

The Falcons, now 6-4 overall, will next host Macalester College on Monday, Dec. 29 at 7 p.m., at the Karges Center.

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Falcons Lose Tough Battle to Platteville 69-62

Dec. 13, 2008

The Falcons hosted the No. 3 Platteville Pioneers this afternoon and proved they wouldn't back down. River Falls lead by as many as 10 in the the second half, but were unable to fight off the Pioneers in the end.

Platteville jumped out to a nine-point lead about nine minutes into the game before the Falcons charged back. Brady Hannigan hit a free throw to start the 26-7 Falcon run.

River Falls lead by 10 with 2:54 left in the half, but Platteville was able to make a run to cut the lead to three at the break, 31-28.

Jonate Koonkaew and Jake Voeltz scored three and four points respectively to extend the lead back to 10 right away in the second half.

Over the next six minutes Platteville's Charlie Lohoff would score 13 points and the Pioneers would even the score at 44.

Jesse Elling got fouled was able to make the basket and the free throw to complete a three-point play. That was the last time River Falls lead. Lohoff was able to answer right back with a three of his own.

River Falls was able to tie it once more but Platteville held three to seven point leads the last four minutes.

Koonkaew lead the Falcons with 18 points. Wade Guerin chipped in with 11 to go along with seven rebounds.

Lohoff lead all scores with 24 points.

Up next for the Falcons the will play at Bemidiji on December 20th, tip-off is set for 7 p.m. On December 29th the Falcons will host Macalster at the Karges Center at 7 p.m.

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Falcons Fight off Cold Start, Finish Strong in 62-52 Win over Stout

Dec. 10, 2008

For the third time in three games Jake Voeltz set a career-high in points. Voeltz finished with 17 points to lead the Falcons to a 62-52 victory over the Stout Blue Devils. It was the Falcons fourth straight win and they start off the WIAC season 2-0.

Unlike most games the Falcons started the first half very cold from the field. They shot 7-25 for 28 percent to open the game. River Falls trailed 31-24 at the break.

With the exception of one tie, the Blue Devils lead for the first 32:09.

Voetlz then found Brady Hannigan open for what turned into a three-point play to give the Falcons the lead and momentum. River Falls never trailed again.

Aaron Anderson hit three-pointers on back-to-back Falcon possessions to extend the lead to six.

Anderson finished with 13 points, 10 of them coming in the second half. Jonate Koonkaew ended the night with 14 points and four assists. Voeltz's 17 lead all scores.

Jerrel Enerson-Matthews was the leading scorer for the Blue Devils with 16.

Up next the Platteville Pioneers will come to the Karges Center for a men's and women's double header on Saturday. The men's game will tip-off at 1 p.m.

Platteville is ranked No. 3 in the country.

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Koonkaew, Voeltz lead Falcons to Win in Conference Opener

Dec. 6, 2008

Jonate Koonkaew and Jake Voeltz combined for 38 points to lead the Falcons over the visiting Oshkosh Titans.

The Titans came in picked to finish fourth in a very competitive WIAC. Behind All-WIAC picks from a year ago, Dane Seckar-Anderson and D.J. Marsh, the Titans were poised to knock off the Falcons.

The young Falcons proved up to the task as they were able to hold off the Titans. Oshkosh never lead. They were able to tie the game when Marsh dunked on a break-away with 11:09 left in the second half.

After that River Falls was able to slowly build the lead back up. Koonakaew had 15 points in the final 11 minutes to guide the Falcons. Voeltz also had four points, both baskets coming off of offensive rebounds.

Titan Coach Ted Van Dellen picked up two techincal fouls and was shown the door with 18 seconds left. By this point the game was already in hand.

Leading scorer for the Titans was Marsh who had 24. Seckar-Anderson was held to eight by Wade Guerin.

Koonkaew lead the Falcons with 22 and five assists. Voetlz had 16 points and seven boards. Aaron Anderson and Brady Hannigan each had 10.

While Guerin only ended with two points, it was his stellar defense against Seckar-Anderson that allowed the Falcons to come away victorious.

Up next, the Stout Blue Devils will come to the Karges Center on Wednesday night. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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Falcons Beat Viterbo at the Free Throw Line

Dec. 3, 2008

Falcon got win number three over the V-Hawks of Viterbo 64-53 at the Karges Center.

With WIAC play just days away the Falcons were looking for another win to take some momentum coming into the conference opener. River Falls started hot taking an 11-2 lead behind six points from Jake Voeltz and five from Aaron Anderson.

Viterbo would go on a little run (16-6) to take the lead at 18-17. The Falcons were able to get back up by five, before taking a two-point lead into the half.

The game would remain close for over 12 minutes in the second half. River Falls then hit six consecutive free throws to take a five-point lead and they never looked back.

The lead would grow to as many as 16, before the V-Hawks scored the final five points of the game.

Scott Buschman of Viterbo lead all scores and rebounders with 16 points and 12 rebounds.

Voeltz had a career high 15 points to tie for the Falcon lead in scoring. Wade Guerin added 15 points to go along with nine rebounds. Jontae Koonkaew had 11 points, nine of them coming in the second half.

River Falls shot 20 free throws, Viterbo shot zero. Thirteen of the Falcons final 19 points were from the charity stripe.

The Oshkosh Titans will come to the Karges Center on Saturday for the opening of WIAC play. Tip-off for the men's game is scheduled for 1 p.m.

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Koonkaew Scores 18 to Help Lead
Falcons to Come From Behind Win

Nov. 29, 2008

Four Falcons scored in double figures to lead the men’s basketball team to its second win of the season. The Falcons came back in the second half to knock off Sioux Falls 66-59 on Saturday afternoon at the Karges Center.

UWRF kept the game close through the first half. There were 14 lead changes in the first period. SF finished the first half with a 6-0 run and built a five-point lead at the break. Brady Hannigan and Danny Johnson led the Falcons in the first half. Johnson scored nine points on 3-4 shooting from three-point range and Hannigan added seven points.

The Falcons started the second half with a 6-0 run of their own to erase the halftime deficit. The score remained close until Aaron Anderson put UWRF in the lead for good with a pair of three-pointers five minutes into the second half.  SF cut the lead to one with 1:41 to play, but six straight free throws by Jontae Koonkaew sealed the win for the Falcons.

Koonkaew led the Falcons with 18 points and five assists, including a perfect 12-12 at the free throw line. Anderson chipped in 12 points, Hannigan finished with 11, and Johnson scored 10. Wade Guerin had nine rebounds to pace the home team.
Matt Malloy led SF with 15 points. Thomas Frames scored 13 and Adam Herther had 12 points and five rebounds.

UWRF shot 22-44 (.500) from the field including 7-17 (.412) from behind the arc. They were 15-18 (.833) from the free throw line. UWRF outscored SF 38-26 in the second half to take control of the game and secure the win.

SF shot 8-23 (.348) in the second half including 1-8 (.125) from three-point range. SF outrebounded UWRF 28-25.

The Falcons, 2-3, will host Viterbo on Wednesday at 8 p.m. at the Karges Center.

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Nov. 25, 2008

The Falcon men's basketball team got 15 points from Jontae Koonkaew and 13 from Aaron Anderson, but it wasn't enough in a 75-61 loss at St. Thomas on Tuesday night.

The Falcons got off on the right foot when Anderson hit a three-pointer to give UWRF an early 3-0 lead. But UST scored the next nine points over three minutes to take a 9-3 lead. UST's biggest lead in the first half was 17, 30-13, with 6:43 to play. The Falcons got to within 11 points three times after that - the last was with just eight seconds to go when Colin Utke hit a three-pointer, was fouled, and made the free throw to pull UWRF to within 40-29. But UST's Brett Tuma hit a layup with just three seconds to go to give his team a 42-29 halftime lead.

Anderson scored 11 first half points to lead UWRF. He was a perfect 3-3 from behind the arc. Joe Scott led UST with 15 first half points. He was 4-5 from three-point range.

The Falcons pulled to within eight points, 59-51, with 9:59 to play in the second half when Danny Johnson hit a three. But the Tommies went on a 6-0 run to build a 14 point, 65-61 lead. The Falcons were not able to cut the deficit to single digits the rest of the way.

Koonkaew also led the Falcons with five assists. Wade Guerin, who scored seven points, led UWRF with seven rebounds. Brady Hannigan, Jake Voeltz and Jesse Elling all had three rebounds.

UWRF shot 21-51 (.412) from the field, including 7-15 (.467) from three-point range. They were a near perfect 12-14 (.857) from the line.

UST, now 3-0, was led by Scott who finished with 20 points. Tyler Nicolai added 11 points. UST was 27-46 (.587) from the field, including 8-14 (.571) from behind the arc. They were 13-24 (.542) from the line. UST held a 30-25 advantage in rebounds.

The Falcons, now 1-3, will next host Sioux Falls on Saturday at 3 p.m., at the Karges Center.

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Nov. 22, 2008

The Falcons finished off the Northwestern Tip-Off Tournament with the first win the of the 2008-09 season. River Falls knocked off the Rams of North Central University 71-47.

RF scored the first basket of the game and never looked back. They lead 43-14 at the break behind the dead-eye shooting of Aaron Anderson.

Anderson started 3-3 from behind the arc, all coming in the first half. Steve Farmer had a huge first half on the boards collecting 13 rebounds.

Jake Voeltz also had an outstanding first half, nine points to go along with four offensive rebounds (six total). Jontae Koonkaew also chipped in with seven first half points.

The Rams came out with a little more fire in the second half, but the first half lead was too deep of a hole to climb out of. NCU would outscore the Falcons 33-28 in the second half.

Anderson lead all scores with 13. Famer ended with seven points and 14 rebounds. Voeltz was unable to add to his count in the second half and ended with nine points and six rebounds.

Danny Johnson ended with nine points and five assists. Koonkaew was unable to get on the scoreboard in the second session and finished with seven.

Collin Cooper scored his first career basket as a Falcon, ending with two points.

NCU was lead by Ryan Leak, who had 11 points and five rebounds.

The Falcons travel to St. Paul on Tuesday, to take on St. Thomas. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.

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Falcons Lose 74-70 to Judson Eagles

Nov. 21, 2008

The Falcons lost a close one to the Judson University Eagles. 74-70 in the Northwestern Tip-off Tounrament. River Falls lead by 13 with just over 14 minutes to go, but once again struggled to finish.

In a very physical first half the Falcons battled to stay within one at the break, 33-32. A very even scoring break down in the first half, no Falcon had more than five points.

The Falcons started hot in the second half. Aaron Anderson hit a three to start the 18-4 run to go up 13. Jontae Koonkaew had six points during that stretch.

Judson would score the next 11 points to cut the lead to two. Anderson and Jesse Elling hit threes to put the Falcons back up seven.

River Falls was able to hold the lead until Ryan Shelton scored and put the Eagles up with just 3:20 left. A minute later Landon Skinner would put Judson up for good.

Skinner and Shelton hit free throws with under five seconds left to seal the win, 74-70.

Koonkaew lead the Falcons with 19 points on six of 13 shooting. Anderson added 13 of his own, behind three three-pointers.

Skinner had 28 points to lead the Eagles.

Up next for the Falcons, today they travel back to the Northwesternn Tournament for a 3 p.m. start against North Central.

On Tuesday, they will go to St. Thomas to take the Tommies at 7 p.m.

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Falcons Fall in Double Overtime 95-91

Nov. 18, 2008

The Falcons opened the 2008-09 season against the St. Scholastica Saints.  It wasn’t to be tonight as they fell 95-91 in double overtime. The Falcons lead by 18 with 11:25 to go but the Saints stormed back and forced the Falcons into overtime. 

The Falcons lead for most of the game.  They took over the lead with 15:58 left in the first half and didn’t trail until the first overtime period.  River Falls ran their lead to 10 with about eight minuets to go in the half behind Wade Guerin and Steve Farmer.  Each had four points during the stretch.

A media timeout stopped the Falcon run and Scholastica hit two quick threes to cut the lead to four. 

Spencer Shelman made his first appearance as a Falcon and completed a three point play to put the Falcons back up seven.  Colin Utke had two of the most athletic plays of the night getting two blocks to preserve the lead.  Three-points by Danny Johnson and Utke put the Falcons up 12 heading into the break.

River Falls was able to go on a little run to open the half and pushed their lead to 19 with just over 14 minutes to play.  Three minuets later they still lead by 18, but then back came the Saints.

Over the next five minutes the lead was cut to seven behind Scholastica’s Mike MacDonald, who had seven point during that stretch.  A lay-up by Danny Schmitz and two foul shots and a three by Bryan Johnson tied up the game at 67.

After a RF timeout Aaron Anderson hit a three point bomb to put the Falcons back up.  After a Troy Miller lay-up, Anderson put the Falcons back up three, with a baseline jumper.  Jake Voeltz got a steal and was able to find Jontae Koonkaew for an easy lay-up and a five point advantage.

Bryan Johnson answered right back with a three to cut the lead to two.  Nobody would score until Troy Miller’s game-tying shot with five seconds to go forced OT. 

The first overtime gave us no winner so the game went to double overtime. 

The Saints stormed out to a six point lead to start the second extra session.  The Falcons were able to tie the game behind a Guerin three-point play and a Jesse Elling three-point shot.

Miller would score to put the Saints up for the final time.  Miller then got an opportunity to put the game away but missed the front end of a one-and-one.  The Falcons had two chances to tie the game on the other end but Elling and Koonkaew both missed.  An Elling foul sent Miller to the line once again and this time he connected on both to seal the win.

Guerin lead all Falcon scores with 17 points and nine rebounds.  Twelve of those points coming in the first half.  Koonkaew had 15 points and seven assists to lead the Falcons in assists.  All of Koonkaew points came in the second half or overtime. 

The Falcons out rebounded the Saint 48-37.

Miller lead the Saints with 18 points and nine rebounds.  MacDonald had 15 second half points and was a big reason behind the Saints comeback. 

Next up for the Falcons they travel to Northwestern College to play in a tournament, where they will play Judson in a 4 p.m. start.

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Nov. 17, 2008

By Steven Linzmeier
UWRF Sports Information

The Falcon men's basketball team opens its season Tuesday when the St. Scholastica Saints come to the Karges Center. Last season the Falcons finished ninth in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and missed out on an opportunity to play in the conference tournament.

Coach Jeff Berkhof is entering his third season at the helm of the Falcons. He has a 19-32 record in two seasons. He has struggled in the very tough WIAC over those two years with just eight wins. This will be Berkhof's 17th year as a Falcon in some capacity. He played for the Falcons for two seasons from 1992-94 and was Rick Bowen?s top assistant for 12 years. After the 2006 season, Rick Bowen stepped down to become the athletic director at UWRF and handed Berkhof the keys.

Young is the best word to describe the 2008-09 Falcons. Only two seniors are on the roster for the Falcons this season, Jesse Elling and Steve Farmer. Elling was voted one of the four Falcon captains. There is only one junior on the roster, Spencer Shelman, who is a transfer and has never played at the high level the WIAC demands.

Brady Hannigan and Jonate Koonkaew will be the only two returnees who have started at least a half of season. Both were named team captains. Hannigan started 18 times last year as a freshman and averaged 6.6 points a game. Koonkaew will be returning as a sophomore after sitting out most of last year due to injury. He was named to the All-Conference team as a freshman in 2007 when he averaged 13.2 points and 3.2 assists a game. Koonkaew was able to get a medical redshirt and will still have three years of eligibility.

Wade Guerin, Danny Johnson and Jake Voeltz will also be returning for another season with the Falcons. Guerin appeared in 25 games as a freshman and will add some height once again for the Falcons. Voeltz had a big game in the season finale at Whitewater and apparently it has carried over into the offseason.

Berkhof commented on the hard work put in by Voeltz "He got a little taste and it has carried over into the offseason, he has been our hardest worker." Voeltz was named the fourth captain of this year's squad.

A few newcomers will see their first action wearing the Falcon red. Aaron Anderson will see some time on the floor this year and Berkhof expects him to be a solid contributer. Berkhof called Anderson, "the most fundamentally sound athlete we have in our program." Anderson is from Stillwater, Minn. Colin Utke is a a 6-6 forward from Mounds View, Minn., and Berkhof believes that Utke will have the opportunity to create some mismatches with his inside/outside abilities. Shelman will also see some action. Shelman is a transfer from Iowa Central Community College. He has two years of college basketball experience.

The Falcons will once again compete in one of the best conferences in the country. The WIAC has three teams ranked in the top seven of the D3hoops.com preseason poll. Whitewater got the fourth spot, while Stevens Point and Platteville were ranked sixth and seventh respectively. Also, the Falcons have the No. 5 ranked team in the country, St. Thomas, on the schedule.

A lot of players will be back from a year ago making this conference even tougher. Berkhof said, "Everyone gets their players back and we finished last in the conference, obviously we needed to change things up."

So could the new look line-up be the answer? "I think we have a chance to be this year's surprise team," sid Berkhof.

Two rule changes will take place this season. One affects all levels of college basketball, the other just the WIAC. The 3-point line in men's college basketball will now be 20-feet, 9 inches instead of the usual 19-9. The WIAC Tournament has been cut down from eight teams to six. Now the top two seeds will receive a bye into the semi-finals. "I voted for it; I think in our conference you need to be rewarded for finishing at the top," Berkhof said of the new tournament field.

The 2008-09 season will bring lots of challenges to the young Falcons, but it isn't something they will turn away from. There will be growing pains, but it looks as it this team is headed in the right direction.

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Nov. 3, 2008

UW-River Falls men's basketball Coach Jeff Berkhof is pleased to announce that Tyler Schroyer, from Altoona High School in Wisconsin, has committed to play for the Falcons starting in the fall of 2009.

“Tyler is going to be a great addition to our program. He’s an outstanding shooter and has a great basketball IQ. He’s also an outstanding young man and is a great start to our 2009 recruiting class,” said Berkhof.

Schroyer was a second team all-conference performer in the Cloverbelt West Conference averaging 12 points and 5 rebounds as a junior.

“I knew immediately that UWRF was the right fit. I enjoyed the campus, the players, where the program is headed and the coaching staff. I look forward to my collegiate career,” said Schroyer.

2008-09 Schedule