A return trip to the Butler Center on Saturday found the host St. Kate's Wildcats going up against another hard-charging team trying to make a late run in the form of the Hamline Pipers. And, just like in their last game with Macalester, the 'Cats would be neck-and-neck with their opponents only to fade in the end.
St. Kate's would get off to a pretty decent start in this one. Senior PG Quinn Halverson knocked down a "3" from the right wing to start things off and after senior Sonja Ellingson's short jumper off the glass freshman Kristen Lee put down a "3" at the 16:25 mark for an 8-4 Wildcat lead. But Hamline would hold strong and despite trailing 15-10 at the 13:56 mark they eventually tied the game at 16-all when junior guard Stephanie Robinson knocked down a "3" from the right wing. Things would stay tight the rest of the first half and Hamline would take a slim 34-32 lead into the locker room at the half thanks to sophomore Kara Poirer's "3" from the left wing before the buzzer.
The Pipers would get off to a good start in the second half with seniors Nikki Klinck and Mary Wilkowski scoring early for a 38-34 Hamline lead. But Wildcat senior stud Laura Kalbfell would drain a "3" from the top of the key cutting the Pipers lead to one at the 16:14 mark. St. Kate's would regain the lead at 44-43 when Ellingson drained a "3" at the 13:34 mark and would lead by as many as six points when junior guard Megan Zillmer finished a drive inside and a 51-45 score at the 11:28 mark. Then both teams decided to show off their three-point shooting skills as Poirer and freshman Lauren Turrito knocked down "3's" that tied it at 54-all and then it was Lee and Ellingson with "3's" that got St. Kate's back to a 60-54 lead at the 8:13 mark.
Just when it looked like the Wildcats had enough sizzle to perhaps close one out they predictably started running out of gas. Robinson hit a "3" at the 7:48 mark that sliced the 'Cats lead down to 60-57 and after another Robinson "3" at the 6:16 mark the Pipers took the lead on more of Robinson's heroics as she finished in transition for a 63-62 lead at the 5:25 mark. A little more than a minute later Wilkowski expanded the lead when she finished inside and the real dagger came at the 2:24 mark when Robinson hit a long two-pointer and a 68-62 lead. And, just like their last game, the Wildcats watched helplessly as their opponent was able to salt things away from the charity strip and, when the dust had settled, Hamline had claimed a 76-67 victory.
Many (including me) were not expecting much from this Hamline squad this year after Melissa Young-Kruse's forced resignation last year and the subsequent mass defections that took place afterwards. Even more astounding is that Hamline is doing this without senior Jackie Kelly and freshman Brianna Blackhawk who both quit on their team and coaches recently. While I don't have any inside information wrt the situation, a Hamline fan sitting next to me confirmed it was chemistry problems between the two players and coaches. I just think it's really unfortunate (and unnecessary) for a thing like this to happen. While Blackhawk was new to the program and could probably go elsewhere if she really wants to, this is really bad when I look at the Jackie Kelly situation. Here, you had one of the best three-point shooters in the conference AND a senior and leader on the team. How can you quit on your teammates when you've got so incredibly much to play for? Even more so when you're a senior and this is it for you. You can't tough it out? This is something that she is REALLY, really going to regret five or ten years down the road when she looks back. And the coaches can't be entirely blame-free in this situation, either. Also, where in the HELL was the Hamline AD when this was all going down? In a case like this, both sides have to be brought to the table to get a tense situation settled and resolved. Instead, a senior cut short her career of her own volition which is just damn sad and unfortunate, IMHO.
No comments:
Post a Comment