Macalester vs Augsburg 2-8-12

Was back again at Augsburg's Si Melby Hall on this Wednesday night as the Auggies prepared to take on visiting Macalester.  This was a game the Auggies absolutely had to have to keep their dying playoff hopes on a respirator.  But the one thing you don't want to do if you're in this situation is play an Ellen Thompson-coached squad with absolutely nothing to lose - which is what the Auggies found themselves with - and what ultimately killed their playoff chances. 

The Scots were able to quickly overcome a 4-0 deficit early on and were actually able to build a 10-8 lead by the 11:27 mark when senior post Holly Schiedermayer scored off the glass.  But Augsburg appeared to have regained control in this one when lefty freshman reserve Abbey Luger jacked up a "3" from the right wing and connected at the 10:24 mark and another Luger score a bit later made it 13-10 Augsburg.  Senior Jessica Rene's "3" from the top of the key at the 9:10 mark tied things up once again at 13-all.  The Auggies would be able to build a bit of momentum coming down the stretch; withstanding yet another Jessica Rene bomb at the 3:23 mark.  Reserve senior guard Kandice Bostick scored with 2:52 left and then senior PG Serenae Levine drove inside and scored and got fouled in the process.  That, along with the obligatory freebie from the charity stripe gave the Auggies a 22-19 lead and then sophomore Kendra Ware's long "2" from the top gave the Auggies a 24-19 lead at the half and perhaps gave them a reason to feel good about themselves again. 

But it was Macalester that would stay steady and put a dagger in the playoff hopes of the Auggies.  After a rare "3" by junior Brittany Zins that gave the Auggies a 30-26 lead by the 17:34 mark, the Scots slowly scratched and clawed their way back.  Schiedermayer scored inside at the 14:03 mark and two free throws by Jessica Rene at the 13:27 mark tied things at 32-all.  Things would stay nip and tuck over the next 8-9 minutes with neither side able to get a definite advantage.  After yet another RARE "3" by Zins that gave the Auggies a 45-42 lead the Scots then made their move that paved the way to victory.  Schiedermayer scored inside at the 4:30 mark and then Jessica Rene decided to terrorize the home crowd (and Auggies) with a "3" from the top at the 3:18 mark and a 47-45 lead.  The Auggies were able to tie it up on two more occasions but could never get their nose in front again.  Macalester was incredibly patient on offense in the waning minutes making all the right choices while the Auggies were desperate and trying to make the big score that simply wasn't there.  Schiedermayer and Jessica Rene were nails at the charity stripe when Augsburg was forced to fould and it was Macalester that came away with a 56-49 win.