Minnetonka vs Maple Grove 2-2-26

Maple Grove prevailed in a thriller at home but the real heroine on this night was former Crimson standout Claire Stern who was recently diagnosed with an extremely rare cardio condition and is spearheading the way to increase awareness.   

 Finally got off my dole on this Monday evening to cover some high school girls basketball for a change and the game I chose wasn't just any old game - this was a matchup of two top five teams from the Lake Conference - Minnetonka and Maple Grove.  Both of these teams were coming into this game not only chasing both Wayzata and Hopkins in the conference standings but also to solidify their grips in their respective Sections as well - Minnetonka in Section 2AAAA and Maple Grove in 5AAAA so obviously there was much at stake in this contest.  But there's also some things that are bigger than basketball as well and that was  certainly the case on this night as it was Rare DNA Fundraiser Night in honor of former Maple Grove standout Claire Stern (Maple Grove '24) who was recently diagnosed with a very rare heart condition that effectively ended her promising basketball career at NDSU.  But despite the diagnosis, Claire has taken the positive approach in all this and has been working to bring more awareness to this.  I had the privilege of talking to Claire and her Mom Sheila for a bit upon my arrival at Maple Grove High School and I had to tell her how incredibly moving her story truly is.  You can read more about this here:  https://www.kvrr.com/2026/02/01/from-heartbreak-to-impact-claire-sterns-new-life-mission-and-role-with-ndsu-womens-basketball/

The Crimson would get on the board first on one free throw by senior combo guard/forward Sophia Anderson after she was fouled at the 16:58 mark of the first half but it wouldn't take long for Minnetonka to seize control.  Speedy freshman guard Izze Austin would connect on a lay-up at the 15:43 mark and then slender sophomore standout forward Ari Peterson would use her length to snare an offensive rebound and get a lay-up out of it at the 14:36 mark to make it a 4-1 game.  A short time later at the 14:07 mark, fellow sophomore forward Tate Addler would bury a "3" from the left corner area that upped the lead to 7-1 and a tough score in the paint by Addler at the 13:36 mark maintained the six-point edge at 9-3.  One free throw by Peterson after she was fouled at the 13:25 mark and then a steal and lay-up the other way by senior guard Lanelle Wright at the 11:29 mark allowed the Skippers to assume a 12-5 advantage.  Maple Grove would take a small bite out of this deficit when Anderson got one free throw to go down after getting fouled at the 10:49 mark but then 'Tonka would widen the gap even more with a 6-2 push.  Lanelle Wright would make a hard drive into traffic and knock down a short jumper at the 10:30 mark and then Addler would connect on a lay-up at the 9:29 mark and a bit later with 8:32 left, Lanelle Wright would slither through traffic to connect on a lay-up that gave the Skippers a ten-point cushion at 18-8 and Crimson Head Coach Mark Cook; not liking at all at what he was seeing, took a timeout to assess the damage and get his troops reorganized.  

Maple Grove would try to cut into this cushion as senior guard Kate Holmquist would make a hard drive for a finish with 8:04 left but the Skippers were off and running again and widened their lead even more in the process and they were now doing considerable damage in the paint as Peterson and Lanelle Wright would get scores in the paint with 7:46 and 7:07 left, respectively, and so would Austin with 6:48 left that had Minnetonka up 24-10.  But the Skippers weren't done yet as Lanelle Wright would knock down a jumper from the free throw line area with 5:58 left and then Peterson would connect on a short jumper off the glass with 5:27 left that stretched the 'Tonka lead to 27-13.  One free throw by Austin after she was fouled with 5:07 left gave the Skippers their largest lead of the night at fifteen at 28-13 and Austin would follow that up with a pretty drive and finish with 4:08 left that maintained the fifteen-point advantage at 30-15 before Maple Grove finally awakened from its extended slumber.  Holmquist would bury a "3" from the right top area with 3:51 left and a bit later with 3:18 left, senior reserve forward Emily Gornick would bang home a "3" of her own from the right corner area that pulled the Crimson back to single-digit range down 30-21.  Minnetonka would rebuild the double-digit advantage when Lanelle Wright knocked down a pair of free throws after getting fouled with 3:10 left but Maple Grove had found new life by this point.  With 2:01 left, Gornick would connect on a lay-up in transition and two free throws by senior guard Sienna Mayer after she was fouled with 1:31 left had the deficit down to seven at 32-25.  With :22.5 left, Anderson would connect on a lay-up that made things much more manageable for the Crimson now down by just five at 32-27 and for Minnetonka that had seen its nice cushion essentially erased in a relatively short period of time, it had to be a big concern for Head Coach Dre Jefferson and his staff as both teams headed to their respective locker rooms for the halftime break.  

With the prospect of being in range to try and get this game leveled up on even terms, Maple Grove went right to work in the early moments of the second half.  Anderson would connect with a lay-up at the 17:31 mark that pulled the Crimson back to within a single possession and a "3" from the right wing area by willowy junior post Mariah Sexton at the 16:52 mark had the deficit down to two at 34-32 and the partisan Maple Grove fans thought that prosperity was just around the corner.  But an alarmed Skippers team went right back to work as back-to-back three-point bombs by Peterson - one from the left corner area at the 16:40 mark and the other from the top of the key at the 15:47 mark - had Minnetonka up 40-34.  Thence a cavalcade of three-point bombs from both teams were unleashed.  The Crimson's Mayer would unleash a trey from the right wing area at the 15:33 mark that got Maple Grove back to within a single possession but right back came the Skippers as Addler would uncork a trey from the right top area at the 15:16 mark that restored the six-point edge for 'Tonka.  And then the Skippers' Peterson would find the range at the 14:01 mark from the right corner area that upped Minnetonka's safety net to nine at 46-37.  Right back came the Crimson as Mayer would bang home another "3" - this one from the right wing area at the 13:21 mark - that got the deficit down to six before the fireworks calmed down just a bit.  The Skippers would get their lead back to eight at 48-40 when Lanelle Wright used a burst of speed to connect on a lay-up and by this time it looked as if Minnetonka had all the holes in its boat fixed that would prevent its opponent from getting back to within striking distance again.  But those hopes were soon dashed as Maple Grove had plenty of petro in its tank.  Gornick would connect on a lay-up on Maple Grove's subsequent possession at the 12:55 mark and then a three-point bomb by Holmquist from the left wing area at the 12:26 mark suddenly had the Crimson back to within a single possession again down 48-45.  The Skippers would again try and rebuild its damaged safety net.  Peterson would use a burst of speed to dart into the lane for a finish at the 11:46 mark and a short jumper from the left side by Austin at the 10:55 mark made it a seven-point game at 52-45 and one free throw by Peterson after she was fouled at the 10:32 mark still provided enough breathing room with a 53-47 advantage.  But when Maple Grove's Anderson made a hard drive for a finish a short time later at the 10:12 mark, the likelihood of Minnetonka being able to protect a four-point advantage at 53-49 seemed iffy at best.

Sure enough, the Crimson quickly pulled back to within a single possession at the 9:02 mark when Sexton yanked an offensive rebound for a putback before 'Tonka again tried to restore order.  Lanelle Wright would connect on a lay-up with 8:42 left as would Addler with 7:43 left that had the Skippers up by six again at 57-51 but once again, that lead quickly shrunk.  Maple Grove's Holmquist would again unleash terror from behind the arc with a bomb from the right top area with 7:17 left and a short time later with 6:40 left, Anderson would connect on a short, turnaround jumper in the lane that now had the deficit down to a scant one point at 57-56.  Minnetonka's Addler would try to open up more space for her team when she snared an offensive rebound for a putback with 6:22 left but the Crimson would come right back on their subsequent possession as Holmquist would make a hard drive for a finish with 5:55 left that also drew a foul and her ensuing "and one" leveled this contest at 59 a piece.  Still, the Skippers would again push ahead at 61-59 when junior reserve guard Lauren Phillippe connected on a lay-up with 5:31 left but once again, that ray of hope would be extinguished when Maple Grove's Holmquist got this game tied again at 61-all on a lay-up with 4:36 left.  When Minnetonka was unable to come up with anything on their subsequent possession, that left the door wide open for the Crimson to wrest away control of this one from their opponent and they jumped on the opportunity.  With 3:41 left, Maple Grove's Holmquist would bury a cold-blooded "3" from the right wing area that now had the Crimson in front for the first time since the early moments of the first half at 64-61.  Maple Grove would increase their lead to four at 66-62 when Gornick maneuvered into the paint for a score with 3:03 left before the Skippers could cut the lead back down to a single possession on a tough jumper along the lane by Austin with 2:47 left.  Minnetonka's Jefferson would take a timeout at this point in hopes of finding some quick fixes for his team but those hopes would quickly dim once the action resumed.  The Crimson's Mayer would connect on a lay-up in transition after a steal with 1:53 left to make it 68-64 and one free throw by sophomore reserve post Lydia Gilbert after she was fouled with 1:11 left got the lead to five at 69-64.  The Skippers' Jefferson; now seeing his squad between a rock and a hard place, called a thirty-second timeout in hopes of finding some quick fixes but none were forthcoming for Minnetonka.  A short time later with :46.9 left, the Skippers' Lanelle Wright got into a fix when she was dribbling the ball and accidentally slipped to the floor and Jefferson was forced to take a match to another timeout right then and there just to keep possession and preserve as much clock as possible.  Still, Minnetonka came up empty and this allowed Maple Grove to put the finishing touches on this one.  Holmquist would get one free throw to go down after getting fouled with :34.2 left to make it 70-64 and after the Skippers came up empty again, Anderson would get fouled with :21.6 left and she calmly knocked down both free throw attempts that essentially sealed the deal for Maple Grove.  Minnetonka would get one last hurrah in this game when eighth-grade reserve guard Lariah Wright buried a "3" from the left top area with :10.6 left but it would simply be too little too late as the Crimson took an emotional and exciting 72-67 contest.  

It's difficult to make solid arguments from this contest when you're unable to get a complete box score of this contest that should at the very least be online (and shame on the Minnesota Girls Basketball Hub for not providing one).  But even without that, this contest basically boiled down to the fact that Maple Grove played a much cleaner game than Minnetonka did when it counted on this night.  And again, anyone who has followed my blog long enough knows that I will continue to harp on free throw shooting until I'm blue in the face and that aspect reared its ugly head in a big way for the Skippers on this night.  Just going through my notes on this game, I see only one instance where the Skippers actually got a pair of free throws to go down and I count at least seven missed free throws.  I mean, in a game like this, those missed free throws were absolute killers.  And I honestly do not understand why coaches don't have their players shooting at least 100 free throws every day and I'm not singling out any player or team here (hell, when I played basketball in junior high and HS, we HAD to shoot 100 free throws a day and I'm a tennis player for Christ's sake).  My point is that we see over and over again where poor free throw shooting inevitably leads to a team's downfall in an important game.  And Maple Grove can't be completely exonerated here either but they were able to at least make up for it in other areas.  And look, I also think that there was a big emotional factor riding in this game for Maple Grove with Claire Stern sitting on the team's bench on this night.  Absolutely that helped give them an edge down the stretch.  The Crimson left it all out on the floor on this night and they weren't going to let her down so absolutely that was a factor in this one.

What a night it was indeed for Maple Grove's Holmquist who came alive in the second half and finished this night leading all scorers with 28 points and Anderson had a very big night as well as she tallied 23 points.  Minnetonka did actually have a pretty balanced scoring attack in this game with Peterson; being her usual spectacular self, leading the attack with 21 points.  Lanelle Wright was certainly making things happening on the offensive end with her 16 points while Austin tallied 13 points and Addler wasn't far behind with her 12 points.   

MIAC Power Rankings For Sunday 2-1-26

Rylie Sternquist's 20 points yesterday helped SMU notch perhaps their biggest win yet in taking down Bethel at home in Winona and avenging an earlier loss to the Royals.   

 Ahh, now it's finally February and with the home stretch of the regular season now upon us, we have a bit more clarity on things but it's still messy with a lot of question marks on several teams.  So let me try untangling this disorganized jumble of teams to see where we're at right now:

1.  Concordia

2.  SMU

3.  (tie) Bethel & St. Scholastica

4.  GAC

5.  Hamline

6.  CSB

7.  St. Kate's

8.  Carleton

9.  Augsburg

10.  Macalester

11.  St. Olaf

The Cobbers once again have the top of the mountain all to themselves on this Sunday and they earned the spot by first staving off a determined effort from CSB at cavernous Memorial Auditorium this last Wednesday and then getting their first road win at GAC in 13 years yesterday - more than good enough to propel them into the top spot.  But Concordia can't afford to rest on its laurels as they have two big home games this week that could allow them to solidify their spot at the top - against Carleton on Wednesday night and then Hamline this coming Saturday........The other big mover on this day is SMU as they took care of business on the road against said Carleton team this last Wednesday night and then notched maybe their biggest win of this season yet when they stomped on Bethel at home yesterday.  On paper anyway, you would think that the Cardinals would have a decent chance to consolidate on their latest gains although they have a rematch with a St. Kate's team that toppled them about a month ago at home on Winona this Wednesday before a return trip to Northfield to take on St. Olaf this coming Saturday.

Although Bethel took care of business easily enough at home against Macalester this last Wednesday night, you kind of knew that yesterday's battle down in Winona might not go their way although I don't think many had the Royals getting run out of town by the halftime break against SMU yet that's exactly what happened.  And with yesterday's debacle, all those questions that had swirled around Bethel not so long ago are rearing their ugly head again.  The Royals SHOULD recover this next week with two home games and although the game Wednesday night against St. Olaf appears like a forgone conclusion, the game this coming Saturday against a rising St. Scholastica team could be an entirely different matter........And speaking of those Saints, what a week it was for this team which might very well be the best story this season in MIAC Women's Basketball as they came down to Minneapolis this last Wednesday night and got a double-digit win against Augsburg before yesterday's thrilling win at home against a very good CSB team.  But this coming week is where St. Scholastica will have its mettle tested with two more trips back down to the Twin Cities - first to Macalester on Wednesday night before the big showdown this coming Saturday against aforementioned Bethel team.

GAC got a big win at home this last Wednesday night against Hamline but couldn't complete the deal yesterday in the loss to Concordia.  But I can only penalize the Gusties so much and I think they'll have ample opportunities to make up for yesterday's setback and they'll have to get refocused as a dangerous and desperate CSB team comes to Lund Arena on Wednesday night before a trip up US Highway 169 and the Union Pacific's Mankato Sub mainline to the Twin Cities to take on Macalester this coming Saturday........One of the two biggest fallers on this day is Hamline and this last week was about as costly as they come as they fell short against said GAC team on Wednesday night before yesterday's shocking setback against St. Kate's.  For a team that was enjoying a 10-win streak joyride, the Pipers now suddenly find themselves in a must-win situation and although the crosstown trek to Augsburg on Wednesday night looks doable enough, the dreaded trip up US Highway 10 and the BNSF's Staples Sub mainline this coming Saturday to Moorhead to take on Concordia is another matter entirely.  

The other faller on this day is CSB and this last week was downright cruel to them as they lost a heartbreaker up in Moorhead against Concordia this last Wednesday night before coming up short yesterday on the frigid shores of Gitche Gumee against St. Scholastica.  And the home stretch might be tough for the Bennies if they're without senior Megan Morgan for the duration but in the meantime they have to get refocused as another very challenging road trip is in the offing as they go to GAC on Wednesday night before finally getting back into the comfy confines of Claire Lynch this coming Saturday to face Carleton........One of the worst things ANY team in this conference can do is take St. Kate's lightly as Hamline found out the hard way yesterday.  That win against the Pipers yesterday coupled with the win last Wednesday night at St. Olaf has the 'Cats on a three-game win streak.  While it probably won't be enough to get them close to playoff conversation, the Wildcats at least have a big shot of confidence going forward and they'll need it as they must venture down US Highway 61 and the CPKC River Sub mainline to Winona on Wednesday night to take on SMU before returning home to face Augsburg this coming Saturday.  

So there you have it for today.  Again, a bit more clarity on things but you and I both know that there's still a lot of moving pieces in place before this regular season wraps up.  As always, please feel free to fire away with thoughts.  

St. Kate's vs Hamline 1-31-26

Hattie Fox of St. Kate's was her usual steady self from the charity stripe against Hamline when her team needed it the most.

 Made an easy run over to the St Paul side of town on this sunny and not-quite-so cold Saturday afternoon to venerable Hutton Arena on the campus of Hamline University to take in a very important contest between visiting St. Kate's and host Hamline.  The Wildcats came into this contest with back-to-back wins under their belt for the first time since early in the season; the latest win coming down in Northfield on Wednesday night against St. Olaf.  The Pipers meanwhile had their ten-game win streak come to a crashing halt on Wednesday night down in St. Peter against GAC and they were anxious to get things back in gear going into the home stretch of the regular season.  This was also Senior Day at Hamline as well as the following players were recognized for their time with the Piper program:  Junior forward Marina LaFreniere (who is graduating early), senior combo guard/forward Sophie Stork, senior guard Camille Cummings, senior forward Aliyah Robran, senior guard Josie Wiebusch, junior forward Evelyn Wiltrout (who is graduating early) and senior guard Isabella Jensen.  

St. Kate's would get off to a solid start in this game as they would get out to a 4-0 lead thanks to some early heroics by sophomore guard Jordyn Peed.  The Eau Claire, WI native would manage to grab the opening tip and race in for a lay-up at the 9:53 mark of the opening period and three minutes later at the 6:53 mark, Peed would strike again by knocking down a short jumper from the right side to give the 'Cats the aforementioned advantage.  Hamline meanwhile struggled out of the gate with their shooting touch and it wasn't until the 6:36 mark that the Pipers were able to clear off the cobwebs forming on their basket as junior reserve guard Lauren Cooper drained a "3" from the left wing area.  Hamline would push ahead at 5-4 when sophomore reserve guard Josie Schmidt made a hard drive with a pretty spin move for a finish at the 5:40 mark and that lead would grow to 7-4 when Wiltrout was able to knock in an offensive rebound at the 5:02 mark.  The Pipers would maintain this three-point edge when Cooper connected on a lay-up with 4:31 left but St. Kate's would claw back into the lead.  Lanky sophomore forward Elle Covey would get a tough score in the paint with 4:18 left and with 3:02 left the Wildcats got the lead back at 10-9 when Peed snared an offensive rebound and got a short jumper in the lane to go down.  With 2:20 left, St. Kate's restored the early four-point cushion at 13-9 when sophomore reserve guard Raya Cassidy used a burst of speed to make a hard drive for a finish and the former Spring Lake Park standout cashed in on the "and one.  The Wildcats were able to maintain this four-point lead on a pair of free throws by sophomore reserve guard Kate Flicek after she was fouled with 1:10 left to make it a 15-11 game.  Hamline got back to within a single possession on one free throw by Schmidt after she was fouled with :49.1 left but the 'Cats stretched their lead to six at 18-12 when sophomore reserve guard Olivia Gannon buried a "3" from the left corner with :22 left so not only was Hamline unable to jump start its normally-potent offense but now they were dealing with an underdog opponent that suddenly had new life breathed into it.  

The Pipers offensive woes continued once the second period got underway as missed shots and turnovers continued to plague Hamline.  And their problems only became more magnified when St. Kate's increased its lead to nine at 21-12 when junior guard Hattie Fox banged home a "3" from the right wing area at the 7:24 mark.  The Pipers finally got something to go down when Cummings was able to snare an offensive rebound for a putback in transition at the 5:05 mark but Hamline's troubles continued to mount as the Wildcats got things going again on consecutive lay-ups by Covey - one with 4:44 left and another with 3:36 left - that now had St. Kate's up double-digits at 25-14 and Pipers Head Coach Joshua Hersch had little choice but to take a match to a timeout to try and get some things sorted out.  That stoppage in play did seem to help Hamline get refocused on the task at hand and they were able to close out an otherwise lackluster second period with a 6-0 push.  Cooper would start this push by connecting on a lay-up in transition with 2:38 left and would follow that up with 1:29 left left with a jumper in the lane that had the deficit down to seven at 25-18.  Stork would get one free throw to go down after getting fouled with :31.4 left and junior reserve combo guard/forward Anna Rynkiewich would get one free throw to go down as well after getting fouled in a transition opportunity with :17.4 left that had the deficit down to fiver at 25-20 as both teams retreated to their respective locker room for the halftime break.  

The Wildcats would start out the third period on a good note as Peed would knock down a jumper from the left elbow area at the 9:39 mark that upped the lead to seven at 27-20 but Hamline was determined to get the tempo of this game turned in their favor and they went all-out with their full-court pressure defense that definitely had St. Kate's on its heels and allowed the Pipers to not only catch up but grab a small lead.  Schmidt would connect on a lay-up at the 7:20 mark and a tough score in the paint by Rynkiewich at the 6:51 mark suddenly had Hamline back to within a single possession down 27-24 and with the 'Cats now in a bit of a dry spell because of the pressure defense, St. Kate's Head Coach Don Mulhern sensed danger and called a thirty-second timeout to make some quick adjustments.  But the Wildcats were getting turned over much more frequently by this point and Hamline took full advantage during this stretch.  Cooper would grab an offensive rebound for a putback at the 6:08 mark and after another Wildcat turnover a bit later, LaFreniere would connect on a lay-up at the 5:41 mark that suddenly pushed Hamline out in front 28-27 and St. Kate's Mulhern instinctively took a full timeout at this point knowing his team had entered the proverbial danger zone.  Still, the Pipers were able to grow their lead to three at 30-27 when Cooper connected on a lay-up with 4:48 left and with the Wildcats still struggling with the full-court pressure defense, Mulhern felt compelled to use his third timeout with 3:35 left in hopes of turning the tide.  Finally with 1:05 left, St. Kate's got a bit of a reprieve when Fox was fouled and the Osceola, Wisconsin native got both free throw attempts to go down.  So in a period where seemingly so much had gone Hamline's way with their pressure defense that had turned the Wildcats over numerous times, they only had a measly one point lead at 30-29 to show for it.

And that one-point lead vaporized in the early going of the fourth period when Wildcat senior guard Kristen Oberle buried a cold-hearted "3" from the left wing area at the 9:14 mark that put St. Kate's back out in front at 32-30.  The Pipers would get the game leveled at 32 when LaFreniere knocked down a pair of free throws after getting fouled at the 8:57 mark but then St. Kate's would launch another push.  Junior reserve post Julia Harmon would muscle into the paint for one score at the 8:03 mark and then Fox would unleash her second trey of this contest with a bomb from the left corner area at the 7:30 mark that now had the Wildcats up 37-32.  But the frenetic and unpredictable flow of this game would continue as Hamline would answer.  Stork would bang home a "3" from the top of the key at the 7:17 mark and then the Pipers would snare a steal with that full-court pressure defense and Schmidt would get a lay-up out of it right at the 7:00 mark that had this contest deadlocked again at 37 a piece and St. Kate's Mulhern; a little leery of his team falling victim to Hamline's pressure defense, called a timeout to get his squad settled down.  That stoppage in play was exactly what the 'Cats needed as they not only caught their collective breaths but were now clearly focused on the stretch run where they would have the upper hand.  St. Kate's would regain the lead at 39-37 when Peed snared an offensive rebound for a putback at the 5:43 mark and two free throws by Fox after she was fouled with 4:38 left not only upped the lead to four a 41-37 but now the Wildcats were in the bonus as well.  One more free throw by Flicek after she was fouled with 4:27 left grew the lead to five at 42-37 and now the Piper's Hersch had to resort to taking a thirty-second timeout a short time later with 4:07 left to set up a comeback strategy.  Hamline would get back to within a single possession when Schmidt was able to get a lay-up after a steal in the backcourt with 3:59 left but then St. Kate's widened the gap again.  Peed would knock down a pair of freebies after getting fouled with 3:35 left and then Flicek would bang home a three-point bomb from the left top area with 2:56 left that suddenly made it an eight-point game at 47-39 that effectively put the Pipers behind the proverbial 8-ball.  Still, Hamline was able to find a response that at least got them in position to save themselves.  Schmidt would knock down a pair of free throws after getting foueld with 2:48 left that now had the Pipers in the bonus as well and then Cummings would come through with two quick scores - a lay-up with 2:22 left and then a three-point play the old-fashioned way as she snared a steal and raced the other way for a lay-up that drew a foul that allowed the former Centennial standout to cash in on the obligatory "and one" that suddenly had the deficit down to a scant point at 47-46.  But just when the door appeared open for Hamline to poke its nose out in front, the Pipers missed out on not one but TWO scoring opportunities in the next minute - a missed three-point bomb by Stork and a missed lay-up by Schmidt - that effectively killed their chances.  With :42.4 left, the Wildcats' Peed would be fouled and she calmly knocked down both charity stripe attempts that at least provided a bit more breathing room with a 49-46 advantage.  Hamline's subsequent possession would ultimately be foiled when St. Kate's Flicek came up with a big steal and Mulhern would use his last timeout with :24 left to set up strategy.  Knowing that the Pipers would now have to foul, the 'Cats got the ball to Fox and she would be fouled with :20.4 left and she was able to get both free throw attempts to go down that now stretched the lead to five at 51-46.  With the sands of time running out on Hamline, Hersch would take another timeout to see if a miracle could be dialed up.  And the Pipers would make one last desperate bid to stave away certain doom.  With :06.1, Cummings would bang home a "3" from the right top area that cut the deficit down to one but Hamline now had to foul immediately and, sure enough, it was St. Kate's Fox drawing it with just :04.4 left and she calmly got both attempts to go down to make it a 53-49 ballgame.  With all hopes all but extinguished, the Pipers' Cummings would launch a three-point attempt that missed its mark with :01.9 left.  Strangely enough, the officials would call a foul on the Wildcats' Flicek with :00.5 left.  Stork would get one free throw attempt to go down but all St. Kate's had to do now was just inbound the ball which they did to preserve a cherished 53-50 road victory.  

I congratulated the Wildcats' Mulhern afterward and I told him that I thought the key moment in this game for his team was weathering the storm in that third period when Hamline was coming with everything but the kitchen sink at them - and they were still able to get out of that mess and stay within a single possession.  He was quick to agree with that assessment but he added that they were able to do this without a real point guard on the team.  "We need a point guard" he said.  Through it all though, I think this St. Kate's team has had to adapt and I think they've done a pretty good job of making do with what they have.  Here's the other thing that I think needs to be pointed out.  Typically, coaches will do their darndest - under most circumstances anyway - to save the bulk of their timeouts for the home stretch when they'll most likely need them.  But in this particular case, Mulhern knew he needed to take those two third period timeouts when he did because he knew full and well his team could've collapsed under the weight of the full-court pressure defense that Hamline was utilizing at the time.  And the third timeout right before the midway point of the fourth period was key as well because it gave his team a chance to catch their breath and refocus and that went a long way in allowing them to get this big road win.  I have seen this guy coach for some time now and he's one of the best in the business and he showed it once again today.  

If you're Hamline, you probably have to be kicking yourself after this one because this was more than a winnable game for you.  I think - just strategy-wise anyway - you did what you set out to do which was create turnovers with your pressure defense.  And you did as the Wildcats turned the ball over 29 times in this one and the Pipers got 21 points off of those turnovers.  And Hamline had a whopping 32-18 advantage in points in the paint along with a decided edge in bench points at 33-14.  All good you say.  Well, here's the bad news:  Hamline shot 19-58 from FG range for 32.8% (not that St. Kate's was shooting at a torrid pace either going 16-44 for 46.4% but I digress) and then went for an ice-cold 3-24 from downtown for 12.5%.  Um, OUCH.  To add to their misery, the Pipers were not very good at all from the charity stripe going 9-16 for 56.3% and you don't have to be a basketball purist to know that that simply won't get the job done.  We know that the Pipers can be a very good three-point shooting team and we've seen it from them before but in this case, it was a case of launching up reckless three-point bombs after another when you really didn't need them and not having a back-up plan for when they weren't falling.  The bottom line here in this one is that Hamline simply wasn't very efficient on offense on this day and this latest setback effectively throws a monkey wrench into any long-term plans they may have had considering how the MIAC race is shaping up and I think it goes without saying that their NPI ranking is on a respirator at best.  

And all of you who read my blog know that I rarely - if ever - comment on the officiating.  But sadly on this day, the crew for this game was just uncommonly awful.  Look, I don't ever expect officiating to be "perfect"; we know that that's simply not going to happen.  But some of the calls that were made on this day and - even worse - some of the missed ones that should have been made, only exacerbated things.  Let's be better, okay? 

St. Kate's needed production from their two best scorers on this day and they got it.  Peed continues to shine as a sophomore and her 16 points not only paced the Wildcats on this day but led all scorers as well.  Fox was her usual steady outstanding self and recorded a "double-double" on this day with her 14 points and 10 rebounds - and, perhaps just as important - a perfect 8-8 from the charity stripe.  Hamline did have a reasonably balanced attack in the setback today as Schmidt's 13 points led the way while Cooper tallied 11 points and Cummings finished with 10.