Issue date: 10/15/08 Section: News

Emcee Omar Solomon talks to Sterling McKinley, a junior business management major, before he throws a free throw during the "Nothin' But Nets" charity basketball game on Tuesday night at McAfee Gymnasium. (Erin Matheny / The Daily Eastern News)

President Bill Perry tosses the jump ball with Jarod Tobler, assistant track coach, left, playing for the faculty, and Matt Yaeger, right, playing for the students, to start the "Nothin' But Nets" charity basketball game on Tuesday night in McAfee Gymnasium. (Erin Matheny / The Daily Eastern News)

Two 20-minute halves were not enough to determine the win for the basketball game against students and faculty.

To determine a final winner, two minutes were added to the scoreboard to go into overtime.

As it came down to the final seconds of the game, the faculty team gained the win, 63-61.

Jarod Tobler, the track and field jumps coach and a member of the faculty team, was one of the top scorers of the game.

Tobler said it felt good to win.

"The team really rallied and gave me support and we pulled away with a victory," he said.

Tuesday night the University Board, along with New Student Programs, sponsored the Student/Faculty charity Basketball game in the McAfee Gymnasium.

This basketball game helped raise money for the "Nothin' but Nets" Foundation in order to buy mosquito nets for countries that have problems with malaria.

Kimberlie Moock, director of New Student Programs and the faculty team's coach, said she felt excited about the event.

"When you have faculty and students in a fun atmosphere, it brings the community together," she said.

Moock said there was also an afternoon "Net Challenge" for organizations to sign up and raise a minimum of $30.

"The winners of this challenge had to gain so many points in different sports like basketball, volleyball and soccer," she said.

The sorority Sigma Kappa won the challenge.

Moock said between the "Net Challenge" and the student/faculty basketball game, a total of $650 was raised for education for countries along with the mosquito nets.

During the game, both teams were dodging for the ball on the ground and eager to gain the first point of the game.

At about four minutes into the game, Jackie Moore for the faculty team scored the first shot.

Moore, an assistant coach for the EIU Women's basketball team, said the game was all about contributing to her team.

"I hoped by scoring the first shot it would be motivation for my team to shoot more and get everyone involved," she said.

Moore said she enjoys coming out to charity events like the student/faculty basketball game.

"I always love these things," she said. "It's not at that intense level."

At half time, students had the chance to win an iPod shuffle by playing the game "Name that Tune."

Students were required to hear various songs from different genres and be able to recognize the artist and the name.

For the tiebreaker, both teams had to finish the line: "I run for the bus dear. While riding I think of us dear."

Blake Stahl, a junior exercise science major, managed to finish the lyrics to the song, "I say a Little Prayer."

"I say a little prayer for you," Stahl sang. "Forever, forever you'll stay in my heart and I will love you."

As the basketball teams entered the second half, with the students leading 31-24, Matt Yaeger for the student team continued to score.

As the game progressed Yaeger, a psychology major, got hurt, but was still determined to play.

"I keep going until I can't play no more," Yaeger said.

The final seconds of the game were close, but the faculty came out on top.

Sterling McKinley, a junior business management major and a member of the student team, said they should have won.

"We took some bad shots, and we should have been more selective," he said.

Overall, McKinley said it was great coming out to the charity event.

"It was real competitive," he said. "I really enjoyed myself."

CeCi Brinker, director of student life, said she is proud of the faculty and staff for winning the game.

"The students gave a good effort, but it just wasn't meant to be," she said.

Jessica Leggin can be reached at 581-7942 or at jmleggin@eiu.edu.

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