40: Stillwater @ Kohler

[Pete Peterson]

Jordan’s 41 Lifts Splash Past Kohler as Another Promising Night Slips Away

Kohler, WI — The Kohler Toiletmakers keep showing flashes. The problem is those flashes keep arriving in the wrong quarters.

Thursday night’s 125–120 loss to the Stillwater Splash felt painfully familiar for Kohler — a strong start, a superstar opponent taking over, and another entry in what has become a frustrating season.

This time the superstar was Michael Jordan, who erupted for 41 points, including a devastating stretch in the second quarter that flipped the game and reminded everyone why Stillwater owns one of the league’s best records.

“We knew he was going to get his numbers,” Kohler guard Joe Dumars said afterward. “But that run in the second quarter — that’s where the game got away from us.”

Kohler Starts Fast

For one quarter, the Toiletmakers looked nothing like a team struggling through a 14–29 season.

Kohler jumped on Stillwater early behind aggressive play from Jerry Stackhouse and Joe Dumars, pushing the tempo and attacking the rim.

Dumars sparked the crowd midway through the first quarter, knocking down a three and following it with a driving finish to extend the lead. Moments later Dan Garrett finished inside to push Kohler ahead 25–18, the building buzzing with the possibility that maybe, just maybe, this would be one of those nights.

“We came out with energy,” Stackhouse said. “We were attacking. That’s the way we need to play.”

By the end of the quarter, Kohler held a 31–24 lead, their offense humming and the home crowd sensing an upset.

Unfortunately for Kohler, the second quarter arrived.

Jordan’s Run Changes Everything

Jordan took over the game in a stretch that defined the night.

First came a three. Then a transition basket. Then another fast-break finish. Then a driving score.

Nine consecutive points.

Just like that, Stillwater had the momentum — and the Toiletmakers were once again chasing.

“He’s the best for a reason,” Kohler forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim said. “When he smells blood, he goes for it.”

Jordan scored 20 points in the second quarter alone, repeatedly carving up Kohler’s defense while the Splash turned stops into fast-break opportunities.

By halftime the game had completely flipped. Stillwater had stormed ahead 62–51, and the Toiletmakers were left wondering how a seven-point lead had turned into an eleven-point deficit.

Splash Depth Shows

Jordan’s scoring grabbed the headlines, but Stillwater’s supporting cast made sure the lead stuck.

Damon Stoudamire orchestrated the offense brilliantly, handing out 13 assists while scoring 20 points of his own.

Inside, Bryant Reeves punished Kohler’s defense with 20 points on 8-of-9 shooting, while Grant Hill quietly filled the stat sheet with 15 points and 8 rebounds.

Stillwater’s transition game proved lethal all night. The Splash finished with 28 fast-break points, repeatedly turning Kohler mistakes into easy buckets.

“We kept letting them run,” Stackhouse said. “You give a team like that open floor and it’s going to hurt.”

Abdur-Rahim Leads Kohler

If Kohler had a hero on the night, it was Shareef Abdur-Rahim.

The forward poured in 37 points, attacking the basket relentlessly and carrying the Toiletmakers’ offense through long stretches.

“Shareef kept us alive,” Dumars said. “He was the reason we were still in it late.”

Stackhouse added 26 points, though it came on a rough shooting night from the field. Dumars chipped in 18 points, including several clutch baskets that briefly trimmed the deficit in the fourth quarter.

But every time Kohler threatened to make it interesting, the Splash had an answer.

Usually Jordan.

Another “Almost”

Kohler did make one final push.

Abdur-Rahim scored back-to-back baskets late in the fourth quarter, trimming the deficit to six. Stackhouse followed with a strong drive to cut the lead further.

But Stoudamire answered with a jumper, and Jordan closed the door moments later with another smooth mid-range shot that quieted the building for good.

Final score: Stillwater 125, Kohler 120.

Another close game. Another loss.

A Season Defined by Frustration

The Toiletmakers have talent. Abdur-Rahim’s scoring ability is undeniable. Stackhouse can explode on any night. Dumars still brings veteran steadiness.

But the standings don’t care about potential.

“We’ve had stretches where we look really good,” Abdur-Rahim said. “But stretches don’t win games.”

That sentiment has become the unofficial motto of Kohler’s season.

Strong first quarters. Competitive fourth quarters. But too many second-quarter avalanches, too many defensive lapses, and too many nights where an opposing star walks out of Kohler looking like the MVP.

Thursday was simply the latest example.

For one quarter the Toiletmakers looked like contenders.

For the next three, they looked exactly like a 14–29 team trying to figure out where the season went wrong.