Game # 1 - Thrivent Financial led 78-77 after three and used a 29-19 fourth quarter to win the CGL9 Championship 107-96 over Milwaukee Sporting Goods. Scott Meerstein led the way in this one hitting 10 of 15 three-point FGs on his way to 36 points and 12 rebounds. Thrivent hit 19 threes in the contest at a 44% clip while shooting 48% overall. Bryan Barriere added 27 points and Steve Kohl chipped in 23 to go with 14 assists. MSG made only 8 of 24 field goals in the fourth quarter leading to their demise. After losing their first 3 games of the year, MSG tried to complete an unprecedented turn-around by winning their final 7 games, but they came up one game short. Matt Becker scored 23 points for MSG while Adam Tigert had 18 points and 18 rebounds. Tigert eclipsed the old CGL rebounding mark by a mere 5 boards and now holds the single season rebounding average mark as well. Dan Wargolet did not complete a CGL 3-peat, but was in good spirits after the game. Overall it was a clean, well-played game which served to keep the commissioner in good spirits as well.

Game # 2 - Aurora SMI walked away with 3rd place after coming back from a huge deficit (they trailed 40-23 after one) to win 123-117 over Wishoops.net. Kyle MacGillis got the hot hand in the 4th hitting 7 of his last 10 FGs ending the night with 34 points. Matt West led SMI with 35 points on 15/22 FGs, snared 14 rebounds and dropped 6 assists. SMI hit 20/40 3FG on the night while Wishoops hit a decent 15/42. Quincey Moman led all scorers with 38 points and teammate Josh Metzger put up 34 points and 15 rebounds. Wishoops.net ends the season with a 7-3 record after losing their last two games.

Game # 3 - Pichler Painting is this season's 5th place team following a 120-116 win over New Balance. The game was tied 86 all after three and New Balance hit some threes late to make it interesting, but Iron Unkind award winner Andy Duncan sank 4 straight free throws to ice it. Eric Melka scored 29, Ryan Goodno 28, Mike Masino 26 and Pat Duffy 23 for PP. Craig Machut had 32, Adam Lewis 28, Charles Manning 27, and Tony Fisher 24. Please note that games where teams have only 5 players each causes stats to blow up significantly. After rolling around in agony due to a cramp with 2:30 left on the clock Tony Fisher sucked it up and finished the game. Kudos to him and his 6th place finishing New Balance squad.

Game # 4 - It took overtime for Flying Knueppels B.C. to hand Vision Therapy Center their 9th consecutive loss 132-129. Tommy Becker scored 41 and Brad Bestor had 40, 9 & 8 for the winners while Lewis Jiles chalked up his first career triple-double at 36, 10 & 10. Again, all stats ballooned with 5 players per team so VTC had no one score less than 16. Gunnar Stapp had a solid game for FKBC with 17, 18 & 7. FKBC put up 57 threes good enough for 8th all-time.

News & Notes - Please note that the two teams that reached the finals led the league in defensive average. CGLX begins January 7th!

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