Was over at the "new" Schoenecker Arena at the Anderson Athletic Complex on the UST campus on this Thursday evening for one of the two MIAC Playoff semifinal games going on this night. This one, of course, featured the Gusties of Gustavus Adolphus and the host St. Thomas Tommies who had swept GAC in their two regular season meetings. Still, there was that feeling of uncertainty about this game even with the home court advantage the Tommies would be enjoying in this game. I also had the feeling that this was going to be a special night as not only current Bethel players Shana Grejtak, Taylor Sheley, and Danielle Ruberg were in attendance after going down to the Gusties just two nights before but also former Gusties Bri Radtke and Amber Steffenhagen; cleverly dressed up in black and gold Gustie regalia - complete with sunglasses and black and gold socks - sitting courtside ready to cheer their former teammates on and wanting desperately to help atone for the heartbreaking loss to UST last year in this same situation in St. Peter that killed the Gusties NCAA hopes.
The bulk of the first half was actually quite close; very tight. Tommie senior post Rachel Booth got her team on the scoreboard first with a drive along the baseline and finish at the 19:36 mark but junior Colleen Ruane would answer for the Gusties a little more than a minute later with a lay-up. There would be at least five ties and four lead changes within the first 16 minutes of the game. After senior post Molly Mathiowetz pulled her team to within one of UST; trailing 21-20, the Tommies suddenly exploded. Sophomore guard Kellie Ring drained a "3" from the right wing to expand the Tommie advantage to 24-20 at the 4:03 mark. A little less than a minute later, freshman sensation Maggie Weiers scored off the glass to up the advantage to 26-20. After junior reserve post Sarah Smith knocked down a free throw at the 2:12 mark, senior forward Jazmin Townsend swished a "3" from the left corner with just under a minute remaining that enabled the host Tommies to go into the locker room at the half with a 30-20 lead. Not only had the Gusties gone colder than a rock coming down the stretch, they also looked shocked and a little intimidated by UST (again); remembering how they got punched in the mouth in the last regular season game back in St. Peter. In simplest terms, UST was able to establish an inside presence that loosened things up on the perimeter for them as well and they took full advantage of it.
As I later learned, the Gustie players had wrote on the board in the locker room something that I'd probably better not repeat here but they were obviously tired of being pushed around and collectively decided it was time to fight back. And they definitely came out with a new attitude in the second half. Mathiowetz, closing out a fine career as a Gustie, decided to put her team on her back as she started out the second half at the 19:29 mark by scoring off the glass and getting the Gusties back to within single digits. But Tommie junior PG Carolyn Dienhart knocked down a "3" on the ensuing possession pushing the Tommie lead back to double digits. Mathiowetz, however, would not be deterred. Another score by #43 in black and gold came at the 18:42 mark which was followed up by two made free throws at the 15:22 mark. Then Mathiowetz helped the Gusties cut the Tommie lead to a scant four points when she scored inside at the 14:39 mark. Smith, Townsend and Dienhart helped push the Tommie lead back up to nine points but the Gusties would slowly climb back into it. Sophomore Kelsey Florian knocked down two free throws after being fouled at the 9:33 mark and then sophomore reserve post Abby Rothenbuehler made her presence felt as she knocked down two FTs and later scored inside at the 8:22 mark that got the visitors into better position trailing only 42-37
Despite freshman Kelly Brandenburg's score at the 5:35 mark that once again upped the Tommie ante to nine points, Mathiowetz continued to shine. She put down two free throws at the 5:17 mark and then junior Molly Geske who struggled this night helped bring the Gusties closer when she connected with a jumper at the 4:46 mark. Mathiowetz again would show her mettle at the charity stripe with two more made FTs at the 3:14 mark and would do so again at the 2:31 mark to whittle the Tommie lead down to 48-45. Finally, junior Ava Perry who was strangely quiet on this night as well scored her only basket of the night at the 2:31 mark - but it was a "3" that tied things up at 48-all.
The last two minutes would be a chess match of sorts between the two teams. Both Florian and Weiers missed chances to put their teams ahead in the waning seconds. After a time-out, Ruth Sinn devised a play that would put Young in prime position from short range to win the game. With just :05.6 remaining, Young made a beautiful move as she was hounded by Gusties and elevated high enough and swished down a short jumper to give the Tommies the game winning margin of 50-48. GAC had one more chance after the ensuing time out. Geske calmly drove the ball down the floor and was hounded by Tommies as she went up for the shot before the buzzer sounded. It was short and the Tommies had secured a berth in the MIAC Championship game and a 50-48 win.
Los Angeles Rams
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Bethel vs GAC MIAC Playoff QF 2-22-11
Made the trek down to St. Peter on this Tuesday evening to take in one of the MIAC Playoff Quarterfinal games - this one between 5th seeded Bethel and the host 4th seed Gustavus. This was really anybody's game and despite the fact that GAC swept Bethel during the regular season, I gave the edge to Bethel going into this one as they were coming in with a lot of momentum and GAC has an unfortunate history of choking in the MIAC playoffs (especially recently). Moreover, this wasn't unchartered waters for Bethel either as they came into St. Peter in a similar situation two years ago and knocked off the Gusties.
The first eight minutes or so would be very close; very tight with neither side being able to gain a real advantage. Sophomore post Scotti Moats got the Royals on the board first at the 19:30 mark by snaring a rebound and kissing the putback off the glass. Gustie sophomore Kelsey Florian got a steal and finished with an easy lay-up at the 18:14 mark to tie the issue. Then, Bethel junior Taylor Sheley, offering a preview of things to come later on, drained a "3" at the 17:57 mark which had a quick response from Gustie junior sensation Molly Geske as she did likewise at the 17:38 mark which tied things at 5-all and showed how even these two teams really are.
It wasn't until the 12:57 mark when Royal sophomore Kelly Swenson connected with a jumper to give Bethel a 9-7 lead that the visitors were able to gain some foothold in this contest. Thanks to free throws by both Moats and Sheley, Bethel was able to expand on the lead by a count of 12-7 by the 11:48 mark but holding it proved to be another matter. After GAC sophomore Steph Comer and Bethel freshman Micealla Petrich traded scores from three-point land, Geske scored at the 10:20 mark to narrow the Royal lead to 15-12. Then, lanky 6'2" sophomore post Abby Rothenbuehler, who is gaining more confidence with each game, scored at the 8:39 mark on a pretty-looking left-handed hook shot that cut the Bethel lead to one point at 15-14. A few minutes later, GAC was finally able to take the lead as former Miss North Dakota Basketball and now Gustie freshman Eli Benz knocked down a "3" from the right corner to make the score 19-17 in favor of the home team. The Gusties would then gradually build the lead to as many as six points on three separate occasions coming down the stretch in the first half. At the 1:43 mark, senior post Molly Mathiowetz was able to help bulge the Gustie lead to 11 by grabbing a rebound and finishing with a putback that gave GAC a seemingly-comfortable 32-23 lead going into the locker room at intermission.
Bethel coach Jon Herbrechtsmeyer knew someone on his squad would have to have the hot hand in the second half if they were going to get back into this game. And that hot hand would come in the form of the pretty 5'9" junior guard hailing from Backus - Sheley. Still, GAC was able to maintain the eleven point advantage thanks to some fine work by the experienced Mathiowetz early on in the second half. But Sheley was able to swipe away some of that advantage when she drained a "3" from the top at the 16:35 mark to cut the GAC lead to 36-28. A couple of minutes later, Royal senior Shana Grejtak got her team closer as she sank two freebies from the charity stripe to cut GAC's lead to 38-31. At the 12:39 mark, Moats was able to connect with a jumper off the glass that trimmed GAC's margin to 40-35. Perhaps even more importantly, Bethel had avoided hitting the proverbial panic button being down by double digits at the half on the road no less - and avoided going for the "home-run complex"; knowing that there was still a second half of ball to play.
Oh yeah, Sheley. She was just getting started. She nailed another "3" from the top at the 11:44 mark that got the Royals to within four at 42-38. The Royals would need her now as the Gusties proceeded to make a push of their own that got the lead back up to 10 thanks to both Mathiowetz and Rothenbuehler. Even more disconcerting for Bethel, foul-prone Grejtak managed to pick up her fourth foul and a few seconds later Geske connected with a jumper that gave GAC a 51-39 lead and threatened to put the Royals behind the 8-ball. Once again, however, Bethel refused to panic. Grejtak again put down two freebies from the charity stripe at the 8:06 mark. After Benz scored and was fouled and followed that up with the obligatory free throw that once again gave GAC an eleven-point cushion, Sheley took her cue to catch fire. She connected with a mid-range jumper at the 6:57 mark that got the Royals to within ten. Then, at the 5:43 mark she connected with yet another "3" from the top of the key to cut the Gustie lead to 55-48 and followed that up a little more than a minute later with another score. At the 4:17 mark, Sheley again made the cotton sing from three-point land - and cut GAC's lead to 58-53. Then it was Grejtak's turn at the 2:51 mark as she scored on a lay-up and was fouled in the process. The ensuing FT by Grejtak cut the GAC lead to 58-56. At the 2:07 mark, Sheley brought her team all the way back when she tied the game at 58-all with a lay-up.
But just when you thought Sheley and her Bethel teammates might be able to steal the show it was now GAC's turn to somehow find a way to not panic. On the ensuing possession, the Gusties calmly brought the ball down the floor and Benz found an opening in the Royal defense that allowed her to drive and connect with a lay-up at the 1:47 mark that put the Gusties back out front for good at 60-58. Sheley, perhaps trying to do too much, committed a turnover that gave the ball back to the Gusties and this time Geske showed why she's one of the top players in the conference as she hit a short jumper that made it 62-58 GAC at the 1:03 mark. Yet another turnover by the Royals on the following possession gave the Gusties a chance to up the ante which is exactly what they did thanks to junior guard Colleen Ruane as she sank two FTs at the :36 mark and a 64-58 lead. Still, Sheley had one more encore performance left in her as she and her team would not quit. She hit one more "3" from the left corner at the :22.7 mark and despite the fact that Grejtak was able to connect with two more FTs before the horn, the Gusties were able to ice this one away at the charity stripe and hung on for an incredibly tough 67-63 win. Definitely a great game to watch!
The first eight minutes or so would be very close; very tight with neither side being able to gain a real advantage. Sophomore post Scotti Moats got the Royals on the board first at the 19:30 mark by snaring a rebound and kissing the putback off the glass. Gustie sophomore Kelsey Florian got a steal and finished with an easy lay-up at the 18:14 mark to tie the issue. Then, Bethel junior Taylor Sheley, offering a preview of things to come later on, drained a "3" at the 17:57 mark which had a quick response from Gustie junior sensation Molly Geske as she did likewise at the 17:38 mark which tied things at 5-all and showed how even these two teams really are.
It wasn't until the 12:57 mark when Royal sophomore Kelly Swenson connected with a jumper to give Bethel a 9-7 lead that the visitors were able to gain some foothold in this contest. Thanks to free throws by both Moats and Sheley, Bethel was able to expand on the lead by a count of 12-7 by the 11:48 mark but holding it proved to be another matter. After GAC sophomore Steph Comer and Bethel freshman Micealla Petrich traded scores from three-point land, Geske scored at the 10:20 mark to narrow the Royal lead to 15-12. Then, lanky 6'2" sophomore post Abby Rothenbuehler, who is gaining more confidence with each game, scored at the 8:39 mark on a pretty-looking left-handed hook shot that cut the Bethel lead to one point at 15-14. A few minutes later, GAC was finally able to take the lead as former Miss North Dakota Basketball and now Gustie freshman Eli Benz knocked down a "3" from the right corner to make the score 19-17 in favor of the home team. The Gusties would then gradually build the lead to as many as six points on three separate occasions coming down the stretch in the first half. At the 1:43 mark, senior post Molly Mathiowetz was able to help bulge the Gustie lead to 11 by grabbing a rebound and finishing with a putback that gave GAC a seemingly-comfortable 32-23 lead going into the locker room at intermission.
Bethel coach Jon Herbrechtsmeyer knew someone on his squad would have to have the hot hand in the second half if they were going to get back into this game. And that hot hand would come in the form of the pretty 5'9" junior guard hailing from Backus - Sheley. Still, GAC was able to maintain the eleven point advantage thanks to some fine work by the experienced Mathiowetz early on in the second half. But Sheley was able to swipe away some of that advantage when she drained a "3" from the top at the 16:35 mark to cut the GAC lead to 36-28. A couple of minutes later, Royal senior Shana Grejtak got her team closer as she sank two freebies from the charity stripe to cut GAC's lead to 38-31. At the 12:39 mark, Moats was able to connect with a jumper off the glass that trimmed GAC's margin to 40-35. Perhaps even more importantly, Bethel had avoided hitting the proverbial panic button being down by double digits at the half on the road no less - and avoided going for the "home-run complex"; knowing that there was still a second half of ball to play.
Oh yeah, Sheley. She was just getting started. She nailed another "3" from the top at the 11:44 mark that got the Royals to within four at 42-38. The Royals would need her now as the Gusties proceeded to make a push of their own that got the lead back up to 10 thanks to both Mathiowetz and Rothenbuehler. Even more disconcerting for Bethel, foul-prone Grejtak managed to pick up her fourth foul and a few seconds later Geske connected with a jumper that gave GAC a 51-39 lead and threatened to put the Royals behind the 8-ball. Once again, however, Bethel refused to panic. Grejtak again put down two freebies from the charity stripe at the 8:06 mark. After Benz scored and was fouled and followed that up with the obligatory free throw that once again gave GAC an eleven-point cushion, Sheley took her cue to catch fire. She connected with a mid-range jumper at the 6:57 mark that got the Royals to within ten. Then, at the 5:43 mark she connected with yet another "3" from the top of the key to cut the Gustie lead to 55-48 and followed that up a little more than a minute later with another score. At the 4:17 mark, Sheley again made the cotton sing from three-point land - and cut GAC's lead to 58-53. Then it was Grejtak's turn at the 2:51 mark as she scored on a lay-up and was fouled in the process. The ensuing FT by Grejtak cut the GAC lead to 58-56. At the 2:07 mark, Sheley brought her team all the way back when she tied the game at 58-all with a lay-up.
But just when you thought Sheley and her Bethel teammates might be able to steal the show it was now GAC's turn to somehow find a way to not panic. On the ensuing possession, the Gusties calmly brought the ball down the floor and Benz found an opening in the Royal defense that allowed her to drive and connect with a lay-up at the 1:47 mark that put the Gusties back out front for good at 60-58. Sheley, perhaps trying to do too much, committed a turnover that gave the ball back to the Gusties and this time Geske showed why she's one of the top players in the conference as she hit a short jumper that made it 62-58 GAC at the 1:03 mark. Yet another turnover by the Royals on the following possession gave the Gusties a chance to up the ante which is exactly what they did thanks to junior guard Colleen Ruane as she sank two FTs at the :36 mark and a 64-58 lead. Still, Sheley had one more encore performance left in her as she and her team would not quit. She hit one more "3" from the left corner at the :22.7 mark and despite the fact that Grejtak was able to connect with two more FTs before the horn, the Gusties were able to ice this one away at the charity stripe and hung on for an incredibly tough 67-63 win. Definitely a great game to watch!
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Augsburg vs St. Kate's 2-19-11
After doing color commentary with Tony Geer earlier in the afternoon at Bethel as they hung on to win a tough, 49-45 game over Macalester, I headed over to the south side of St. Paul as St. Kate's was hosting Augsburg in the season finale for both teams. Not only was this senior day in the MIAC but this was also the last game for Augsburg head coach Jennifer Britz who had tenered her resignation earlier in the week.
I got into the Butler Center and settled in around the 9:15 mark of the first half with host St. Kate's holding a seemingly comfortable 19-10 lead. But, just as the home team and its fans were feeling good about things, the visiting Auggies struck back. Junior Serenae Levine hit a shot off the glass as the shot clock expired at the 7:24 mark. After sophomore Tracee Schrank sank one FT at the 6:07 mark, freshman guard Casey Gintner scored a lay-up. Then, junior guard/forward Nikki Borkhuis hit a jumper that cut the St. Kate's lead down to a scant two points at 19-17 at the 4:46 mark. Then, junior guard Lexi Thompson not only tied things up at 19-all but also gave her team the lead 21-19 at the 3:24 mark with a lay-up. St. Kate's finally caught its breath and was able to forge a 22-all tie when senior Sonja Ellingson nailed a "3" as the shot clock expired at the 2:35 mark. Things would stay nip and tuck for the remainder of the first half with Augsburg going into the locker room at halftime holding a 28-27 lead.
The 'Cats got things off to a good start in the second half. Senior Laura Kalbfell, finishing up an outstanding career, scored off the glass at the 19:40 mark as St. Kate's reclaimed the lead at 29-28. Kalbfell again kissed the rock off the glass at the 18:43 mark for a 31-28 Wildcat lead and it looked as if the home team had regained some momentum. But Schrank, who continued to have a hot hand in this game, narrowed the 'Cats lead to 31-30 with a long 2-pointer. After freshman Kristen Lee's score that upped the St. Kate's ante to 33-30, senior PG Quinn Halverson made sure her career at St. Kate's didn't go unnoticed as she hit a "3" from the right wing at the 17:33 mark. Things would stay close and Augsburg was able to tie things up again at the 15:08 mark with Schrank hitting a lay-up.
St. Kate's would once again make a small push that would enable them to hold a bit of an advantage. Ellingson hit a short shot off the glass at the 14:38 mark and then sophomore Adele Simerson-Wallfred connected with a jumper that got the 'Cats a 43-39 edge. Simerson-Wallfred showed her budding confidence when she nailed a "3" at the 12:20 mark for a 48-41 Wildcat lead that let the home crowd breathe a bit easier - but not for long. Ginter again showed her worth as she scored and was fouled in the process; sinking the obligatory freebie shot that cut the 'Cat lead to 48-44 at the 12:10 mark. St. Kate's would be able to maintain the 4-5 point advantage for the next couple of minutes before Augsburg was ready to make another move. After Borkhuis made one FT at the 8:56 mark, Schrank canned two more freebies after being fouled at the 8:06 mark to trim St. Kate's lead to 50-48. Augsburg once again pulled even at the 7:33 mark when sophomore transfer Brittany Zins scored inside for a 50-all tie.
St. Kate's would once again make a push of its own with both Ellingson and Kalbfell doing the honors to forge a 54-50 lead. But right back came Augsburg. Levine cut the deficit to two points at the 6:32 mark and then Ginter's "3" from the left wing at the 5:57 mark gave the Auggies their first lead since halftime at 55-54. Right back came the 'Cats as Halvorson drained a "3" from the right wing at the 5:32 mark and then Ellingson powered her way inside and finished for a 59-55 St. Kate's lead. St. Kate's would hold this slim advantage coming into the home stretch and it appeared that they had this one in the bag with just :16.5 left on the clock when Halvorson was able to make one FT and get her Wildcat team a 64-59 lead. But Augsburg, playing with nothing to lose, refused to give in. Ginter again proved deadly from the perimeter when she nailed a "3" with just :11 left on the clock. Halvorson was once again fouled on the ensuing possesion, but, just as with the previous two, could only manage to make one FT for a 65-62 'Cat lead. This gave Augsburg the chance they needed. Augsburg quickly but efficiently got the ball down the floor and with just :00.9 left Schrank was able to let loose with a "3" from the top of the key that swished through as the buzzer sounded to forge a 65-all tie at the end of regulation.
Levine got the Auggies a brief lead at 67-65 at the 3:30 mark but Ellingson was able to knock down two FTs after being fouled at the 3:00 mark that once again tied things up. Then Halvorson, wanting to make up for those missed opportunities late in regulation, gave the 'Cats the lead at 69-67. Zins was able to force one last tie at 60 a piece when she scored on a hard drive at the 1:51 mark. With the issue still very much in doubt, it was the Ellingson-Kalbfell duo that was eventually able to save the day for the home team. Ellingson scored at the :42 mark with a long two-pointer from the top and a 71-69 lead. Still, Zins gave the Auggies hope when she scored again inside to make it 71-all with just :29 left. Then, fittingly, the 'Cats were able to hold the ball on the ensuing possession and, with just :08 left, it was Kalbfell making the deciding bucket off the glass and a 73-71 lead. Augsburg had one more chance but was not able to get the ball down. GREAT game to watch! And a great end for seniors Kalbfell, Ellingson, and Halvorson.
I got into the Butler Center and settled in around the 9:15 mark of the first half with host St. Kate's holding a seemingly comfortable 19-10 lead. But, just as the home team and its fans were feeling good about things, the visiting Auggies struck back. Junior Serenae Levine hit a shot off the glass as the shot clock expired at the 7:24 mark. After sophomore Tracee Schrank sank one FT at the 6:07 mark, freshman guard Casey Gintner scored a lay-up. Then, junior guard/forward Nikki Borkhuis hit a jumper that cut the St. Kate's lead down to a scant two points at 19-17 at the 4:46 mark. Then, junior guard Lexi Thompson not only tied things up at 19-all but also gave her team the lead 21-19 at the 3:24 mark with a lay-up. St. Kate's finally caught its breath and was able to forge a 22-all tie when senior Sonja Ellingson nailed a "3" as the shot clock expired at the 2:35 mark. Things would stay nip and tuck for the remainder of the first half with Augsburg going into the locker room at halftime holding a 28-27 lead.
The 'Cats got things off to a good start in the second half. Senior Laura Kalbfell, finishing up an outstanding career, scored off the glass at the 19:40 mark as St. Kate's reclaimed the lead at 29-28. Kalbfell again kissed the rock off the glass at the 18:43 mark for a 31-28 Wildcat lead and it looked as if the home team had regained some momentum. But Schrank, who continued to have a hot hand in this game, narrowed the 'Cats lead to 31-30 with a long 2-pointer. After freshman Kristen Lee's score that upped the St. Kate's ante to 33-30, senior PG Quinn Halverson made sure her career at St. Kate's didn't go unnoticed as she hit a "3" from the right wing at the 17:33 mark. Things would stay close and Augsburg was able to tie things up again at the 15:08 mark with Schrank hitting a lay-up.
St. Kate's would once again make a small push that would enable them to hold a bit of an advantage. Ellingson hit a short shot off the glass at the 14:38 mark and then sophomore Adele Simerson-Wallfred connected with a jumper that got the 'Cats a 43-39 edge. Simerson-Wallfred showed her budding confidence when she nailed a "3" at the 12:20 mark for a 48-41 Wildcat lead that let the home crowd breathe a bit easier - but not for long. Ginter again showed her worth as she scored and was fouled in the process; sinking the obligatory freebie shot that cut the 'Cat lead to 48-44 at the 12:10 mark. St. Kate's would be able to maintain the 4-5 point advantage for the next couple of minutes before Augsburg was ready to make another move. After Borkhuis made one FT at the 8:56 mark, Schrank canned two more freebies after being fouled at the 8:06 mark to trim St. Kate's lead to 50-48. Augsburg once again pulled even at the 7:33 mark when sophomore transfer Brittany Zins scored inside for a 50-all tie.
St. Kate's would once again make a push of its own with both Ellingson and Kalbfell doing the honors to forge a 54-50 lead. But right back came Augsburg. Levine cut the deficit to two points at the 6:32 mark and then Ginter's "3" from the left wing at the 5:57 mark gave the Auggies their first lead since halftime at 55-54. Right back came the 'Cats as Halvorson drained a "3" from the right wing at the 5:32 mark and then Ellingson powered her way inside and finished for a 59-55 St. Kate's lead. St. Kate's would hold this slim advantage coming into the home stretch and it appeared that they had this one in the bag with just :16.5 left on the clock when Halvorson was able to make one FT and get her Wildcat team a 64-59 lead. But Augsburg, playing with nothing to lose, refused to give in. Ginter again proved deadly from the perimeter when she nailed a "3" with just :11 left on the clock. Halvorson was once again fouled on the ensuing possesion, but, just as with the previous two, could only manage to make one FT for a 65-62 'Cat lead. This gave Augsburg the chance they needed. Augsburg quickly but efficiently got the ball down the floor and with just :00.9 left Schrank was able to let loose with a "3" from the top of the key that swished through as the buzzer sounded to forge a 65-all tie at the end of regulation.
Levine got the Auggies a brief lead at 67-65 at the 3:30 mark but Ellingson was able to knock down two FTs after being fouled at the 3:00 mark that once again tied things up. Then Halvorson, wanting to make up for those missed opportunities late in regulation, gave the 'Cats the lead at 69-67. Zins was able to force one last tie at 60 a piece when she scored on a hard drive at the 1:51 mark. With the issue still very much in doubt, it was the Ellingson-Kalbfell duo that was eventually able to save the day for the home team. Ellingson scored at the :42 mark with a long two-pointer from the top and a 71-69 lead. Still, Zins gave the Auggies hope when she scored again inside to make it 71-all with just :29 left. Then, fittingly, the 'Cats were able to hold the ball on the ensuing possession and, with just :08 left, it was Kalbfell making the deciding bucket off the glass and a 73-71 lead. Augsburg had one more chance but was not able to get the ball down. GREAT game to watch! And a great end for seniors Kalbfell, Ellingson, and Halvorson.
Holy Family vs Belle Plaine 2-18-11
Decided to break the normal routine of getting in a practice indoors at Lifetime Fitness on a Friday night (about the ONLY time on a weeknight when you can get a court indoors anymore ever since Lifetime mothballed and bulldozed down the Highway 100 facility not far from my pad - thanks A LOT, Lifetime Fitness management a**holes) and accept an invitation from my good buddy Jon Sands to take in the game between the team he covers, the Holy Family Fire against the host Tigers of Belle Plaine. This would prove to be quite an interesting clash between the two Minnesota River Conference teams.
Holy Family is a VERY young team; only one senior (starting guard Erin Steiner) while juniors and sophomores dominate the roster. Belle Plaine is a bit more experienced but a bit shy on size. Nevertheless, it was the home team that got the hometown fans going early as they were able to open up a 7-2 lead on the visiting Fire. Slowly but surely, Holy Family worked themselves back into the game. At the 13:40 mark, lanky freshman Michaela Rasmussen (already 6'0" tall) scored on a drive to cut the Tigers lead to 7-5. After junior Erin Ryan-Mosley tied things up at 9-all with her score, Holy Family then took a 12-9 lead when sophomore Emily Bauer drained a "3"at the 11:45 mark. Holy Family would up the lead to 15-11 when junior Ashley Hanson pick-pocketed a Belle Plaine player from her grasp of the rock and finished with a lay-up at the 10:17 mark. The Tigers did manage to cut into the Fire lead and twice had it down to a single possession game when sophomore Haley Fogarty connected from behind the arc at both the 7:56 and 7:25 marks. Then senior forward Alex Hartman showed up and helped propel her Tiger team to a 24-19 lead that had the home crowd going.
Belle Plaine continued to hold the advantage coming down the stretch in the first half. After switching to a 2-3 zone on defense that had Holy Family a bit stifled on offense, the Tigers took advantage. Senior forward Kate Bigaouette helped Belle Plaine maintain a five-point advantage when she scored inside at the 4:28 mark. Then Bigaouette stepped up to do even more damage to the Fire as she finished inside at the 2:06 mark and then connected with a lay-up at the 1:29 mark to give Belle Plaine a 30-21 lead. Even more alarming for Holy Family was when head coach Mike Friestleben was whisteld for a "T" after arguing a bit too vociferously with the game officials over a call with just :35 seconds left in the first half. Trailing 33-23 at the half, Holy Family, looking out of synch on offense, clearly had work ahead of itself in the second half.
Whatever Friestleben said to his team in the locker room during halftime - it worked. Holy Family simply looked like a different team as the second half got underway. Talented 6'0" junior Hannah Schonhardt connected with a "3" at the 17:11 mark and then she connected with a lay-up at the 16:54 mark that clearly got the attention of the host Tigers. Then, Hanson connected with a lay-up of her own that trimmed the Belle Plaine lead to 34-32 at the 14:42 mark. After Schonhardt tied things up at 34-all at the 14:00 mark with her shot off the glass, she gave her Fire team the lead for good at the 13:49 mark. Holy Family would then gradually take control of the game and extend their lead to as many as 11 points at the 10:08 mark when Bauer canned a "3" and a 47-36 lead. Holy Family would maintain the cushion for a few minutes but you somehow knew the host Tigers would have at least one more run in them. Both Hartman and Bigaouette made single free-throws that cut Holy Family's lead down to 50-44 by the 3:54 mark. After Bigaouette scored inside at the 1:45 mark, Fogarty made the hometown fans roar with her steal and finish on the other end that further cut the Holy Family lead to 52-49 at the 1:24 mark. But this young Holy Family team would not buckle under the pressure on the road. Schonhardt and sophomore Aly Anton both got single FTs that upped the Fire lead to 54-49 with just under a minute remaining. Belle Plaine could never get it closer than three points and Holy Family was able to escape town with a hard-earned 59-51 win.
Holy Family is a VERY young team; only one senior (starting guard Erin Steiner) while juniors and sophomores dominate the roster. Belle Plaine is a bit more experienced but a bit shy on size. Nevertheless, it was the home team that got the hometown fans going early as they were able to open up a 7-2 lead on the visiting Fire. Slowly but surely, Holy Family worked themselves back into the game. At the 13:40 mark, lanky freshman Michaela Rasmussen (already 6'0" tall) scored on a drive to cut the Tigers lead to 7-5. After junior Erin Ryan-Mosley tied things up at 9-all with her score, Holy Family then took a 12-9 lead when sophomore Emily Bauer drained a "3"at the 11:45 mark. Holy Family would up the lead to 15-11 when junior Ashley Hanson pick-pocketed a Belle Plaine player from her grasp of the rock and finished with a lay-up at the 10:17 mark. The Tigers did manage to cut into the Fire lead and twice had it down to a single possession game when sophomore Haley Fogarty connected from behind the arc at both the 7:56 and 7:25 marks. Then senior forward Alex Hartman showed up and helped propel her Tiger team to a 24-19 lead that had the home crowd going.
Belle Plaine continued to hold the advantage coming down the stretch in the first half. After switching to a 2-3 zone on defense that had Holy Family a bit stifled on offense, the Tigers took advantage. Senior forward Kate Bigaouette helped Belle Plaine maintain a five-point advantage when she scored inside at the 4:28 mark. Then Bigaouette stepped up to do even more damage to the Fire as she finished inside at the 2:06 mark and then connected with a lay-up at the 1:29 mark to give Belle Plaine a 30-21 lead. Even more alarming for Holy Family was when head coach Mike Friestleben was whisteld for a "T" after arguing a bit too vociferously with the game officials over a call with just :35 seconds left in the first half. Trailing 33-23 at the half, Holy Family, looking out of synch on offense, clearly had work ahead of itself in the second half.
Whatever Friestleben said to his team in the locker room during halftime - it worked. Holy Family simply looked like a different team as the second half got underway. Talented 6'0" junior Hannah Schonhardt connected with a "3" at the 17:11 mark and then she connected with a lay-up at the 16:54 mark that clearly got the attention of the host Tigers. Then, Hanson connected with a lay-up of her own that trimmed the Belle Plaine lead to 34-32 at the 14:42 mark. After Schonhardt tied things up at 34-all at the 14:00 mark with her shot off the glass, she gave her Fire team the lead for good at the 13:49 mark. Holy Family would then gradually take control of the game and extend their lead to as many as 11 points at the 10:08 mark when Bauer canned a "3" and a 47-36 lead. Holy Family would maintain the cushion for a few minutes but you somehow knew the host Tigers would have at least one more run in them. Both Hartman and Bigaouette made single free-throws that cut Holy Family's lead down to 50-44 by the 3:54 mark. After Bigaouette scored inside at the 1:45 mark, Fogarty made the hometown fans roar with her steal and finish on the other end that further cut the Holy Family lead to 52-49 at the 1:24 mark. But this young Holy Family team would not buckle under the pressure on the road. Schonhardt and sophomore Aly Anton both got single FTs that upped the Fire lead to 54-49 with just under a minute remaining. Belle Plaine could never get it closer than three points and Holy Family was able to escape town with a hard-earned 59-51 win.
St. Olaf vs Bethel
After the exciting finish at St. Kate's, I hopped back into my car to head up Snelling Avenue and over to Bethel to catch what I could of their clash with St. Olaf. This was a critical game for both squads as St. Olaf was alive but on a respirator as far as their slim playoff chances while Bethel could clinch a spot in the MIAC playoffs with a win at home.
I got over to the Robertson Center and settled in at about the 17:15 mark with the game tied at 29 which was a pretty good indicator of how close this game really was. After senior Shana Grejtak sank a free throw to put the Royals back up 30-29; lanky freshman Elise Raney put the Oles back out in front with a hook shot and a 31-30 lead. St. Olaf was able to consolidate that lead somewhat when sophomore (and one of the best PGs in the MIAC) Mackenzie Wolter snared a rebound down low and finished with a putback for a 33-30 Ole lead. But any momentum that St. Olaf may have grabbed was quickly extinguished when St. Olaf head coach Dave Stromme, agitated by continuous questionable calls by the game officials, was hit with a "T" when sophomore Eileen O'Donoghue was whistled for a foul on Grejtak. Junior Taylor Sheley, who is almost automatic from the charity stripe (as Concordia will attest), calmly sank two free throws to pull the Royals to within one. Then, at the 14:52 mark, sophomore post Scotti Moats, who seems to get better with each game, knocked down a "3" from the top of they key that put the Royals back out in front 35-33. To their credit, the Oles knotted things up at 35-all when Raney pulled down a rebound and finished with a putback at the 13:44 mark.
The lead would bob back and forth over the next few minutes between the two teams. Bethel did get a 39-36 advantage when freshman Michaela Petrich got a rebound and a putback down low that gave the Royals a 39-36 lead. But St. Olaf would battle back once again. Wolter sank two freebies from the charity stripe at the 9:13 mark and at the 6:38 mark another one of those promising Ole freshman, this time Maddie Ehrich, sank a "3" that put St. Olaf back on top 41-39. But sophomore PG Rachel Gilbert answered quickly with a move and finish inside to tie things up at 41. The teams would once again trade leads over the next minute or so and Bethel was clinging to a one point lead after Grejtak connected with a short jumper that gave her team a 44-43 lead at the 5:01 mark.
With so much on the line for both teams you somehow knew someone would have to stand up to make a big play or hit a huge bucket somewhere along the line. After both teams struggled over the next couple of minutes (and missed out on some opportunities as well), the turning point in the game came at the 2:38 mark when Gilbert drained a "3" from the left corner with the shot clock winding down. Not only did it give the Royals a four-point 47-43 lead, it changed the complexion of the game as well considering that the Oles not only had to battle the Royals from behind but they had the clock against them as well now. Moats increased the lead to 49-43 with two free throw shots after being fouled at the 1:46 mark. Senior Terin Euerle did close the gap a bit for the Oles when she scored off the glass at the 1:15 mark but now St. Olaf had to foul to get the ball back. And with that kind of a situation, you knew who the Royals wanted to have handling the ball - Sheley. And she made the most of two opportunities at both the 1:15 and :48 marks that gave her team a seemingly insurmountable lead as Bethel was able to finish things off and clinch a treasured MIAC playoff spot winning 55-45.
I got over to the Robertson Center and settled in at about the 17:15 mark with the game tied at 29 which was a pretty good indicator of how close this game really was. After senior Shana Grejtak sank a free throw to put the Royals back up 30-29; lanky freshman Elise Raney put the Oles back out in front with a hook shot and a 31-30 lead. St. Olaf was able to consolidate that lead somewhat when sophomore (and one of the best PGs in the MIAC) Mackenzie Wolter snared a rebound down low and finished with a putback for a 33-30 Ole lead. But any momentum that St. Olaf may have grabbed was quickly extinguished when St. Olaf head coach Dave Stromme, agitated by continuous questionable calls by the game officials, was hit with a "T" when sophomore Eileen O'Donoghue was whistled for a foul on Grejtak. Junior Taylor Sheley, who is almost automatic from the charity stripe (as Concordia will attest), calmly sank two free throws to pull the Royals to within one. Then, at the 14:52 mark, sophomore post Scotti Moats, who seems to get better with each game, knocked down a "3" from the top of they key that put the Royals back out in front 35-33. To their credit, the Oles knotted things up at 35-all when Raney pulled down a rebound and finished with a putback at the 13:44 mark.
The lead would bob back and forth over the next few minutes between the two teams. Bethel did get a 39-36 advantage when freshman Michaela Petrich got a rebound and a putback down low that gave the Royals a 39-36 lead. But St. Olaf would battle back once again. Wolter sank two freebies from the charity stripe at the 9:13 mark and at the 6:38 mark another one of those promising Ole freshman, this time Maddie Ehrich, sank a "3" that put St. Olaf back on top 41-39. But sophomore PG Rachel Gilbert answered quickly with a move and finish inside to tie things up at 41. The teams would once again trade leads over the next minute or so and Bethel was clinging to a one point lead after Grejtak connected with a short jumper that gave her team a 44-43 lead at the 5:01 mark.
With so much on the line for both teams you somehow knew someone would have to stand up to make a big play or hit a huge bucket somewhere along the line. After both teams struggled over the next couple of minutes (and missed out on some opportunities as well), the turning point in the game came at the 2:38 mark when Gilbert drained a "3" from the left corner with the shot clock winding down. Not only did it give the Royals a four-point 47-43 lead, it changed the complexion of the game as well considering that the Oles not only had to battle the Royals from behind but they had the clock against them as well now. Moats increased the lead to 49-43 with two free throw shots after being fouled at the 1:46 mark. Senior Terin Euerle did close the gap a bit for the Oles when she scored off the glass at the 1:15 mark but now St. Olaf had to foul to get the ball back. And with that kind of a situation, you knew who the Royals wanted to have handling the ball - Sheley. And she made the most of two opportunities at both the 1:15 and :48 marks that gave her team a seemingly insurmountable lead as Bethel was able to finish things off and clinch a treasured MIAC playoff spot winning 55-45.
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