After being on the doorstep of a national championship, an incredible comeback by the defending national champion University of Wisconsin-Whitewater derailed Cabrini’s title quest.
With the goal set to return to that stage, the Cavs have not been setting themselves up to finish the job in the second half. They’ve been the comeback kids.
In their first CSAC match of the season on Monday, Dec. 3, the Cavs trailed by 11 at the half and as many as 14 in the game. They erased the deficit five minutes into the half and pulled away late to win, 65-58.
It isn’t the ideal formula but the Cavs have always been an excellent second-half team. It just so happens that in this season with much greater expectations than ever before, they have come out starting slow in nearly all of their six games only to rally back. Aside from a 96-59 loss to No. 2 Virginia Wesleyan, the Cavs have only lost to No. 12 University of Scranton and by just one point.
Fifth-year head coach Marcus Kahn has always prided his team on playing a full 40 minutes – or more if necessary. So far, two of the Cavs’ six games have gone to overtime. The Cavs are 1-1 in those games.
Additionally, the Cavs have also done a good job staying out of foul trouble and keeping starters deep into games. One of the game-changing moments of the national championship game was when junior Jon Miller fouled out of the game. With the Cavs lacking in the height game and trying to stay out of further foul trouble, points came easier for UW-W.
With nine new faces – many of them 6’3” or taller – the Cavs have a size and strength advantage. That too is leading their second -half charge that has fueled a 4-2 record so far this season.
