After the Concordia - Macalester game, I hustled over Summit and Fairview Avenues to get over to St. Kate's to take in the 3:00 P.M. contest between visiting St. Ben's and host St. Kate's. While the Wildcats have been struggling mightily this season, the Blazers, on the other hand, are one of the hottest teams around and have been riding a seven-game win streak and were looking to make it eight in a row - and to keep pace along with SMU being right on the heels of conference leader Concordia.
But things would not start out so easily for Head Coach Mike Durbin's squad as the 'Cats were scratching and clawing and hanging right in there. With the Blazers up 4-0 on a jumper by senior forward Hannah Hylla and a lay-up by freshman Mattie Lueck, the 'Cats struck back on a "3" by freshman forward Cynthia Cowan at the 15:48 mark. The Blazers would get their mojo right back and build the lead to 8-3 by the 14:14 mark when Mattie Lueck grabbed a long rebound and then went right into the paint for a drive and finish. Right back, though, came the 'Cats and it would be junior guard Kristen Lee doing damage from behind the arc at the 12:36 and and 9:36 marks that allowed St. Kate's to get back to within one each time. After senior forward Morgan Dale's score inside with 9:21 left got the Blazers a 13-10 lead, St. Kate's junior forward Madison Pertler was able to manuever inside on the ensuing possession for a score that got the 'Cats to within one again.
Finally, the Blazers were able to open up a little distance on their hosts and they did it by making a concerted effort to get into transition on each possession as they really pushed the ball up the floor. Junior guard Brianna Barrett's lay-up at the 8:42 mark was followed by a "3" by sophomore point guard Jessica Fischer from the top of the key with 7:52 left. Dale used her strong 5'10" frame to score inside with 5:39 left and then it was senior leader Whitney Canton with a drive and finish in transition that got her fouled as well that, along with the obligatory free throw made it a 23-16 game. Wildcat sophomore forward Mary Neumann countered with a "3" from the top of the key that pulled St. Kate's to within four but then it was Canton playing like a thief in the night as she stole the ball away from Wildcat freshman Amanda Padilla and went the other way for a lay-up with 2:33 left and then it was Barrett with a lay-up in transition with 2:07 mark that made it a 27-19 game and had St. Kate's Head Coach Sean Pinkerton calling for a :30 timeout. But that didn't seem to slow the Blazers down at all as Canton connected with a jumper in the lane with 1:27 left and, after two freebies by Barrett with :32.8 left, the senior from Pine Island wearing #10 used her athleticism to connect on a sweet pull-up jumper with just two ticks left on the clock as CSB took a 33-21 lead into the locker room at halftime.
The 'Cats tried to make inroads on the CSB advantage once the second half got underway but they would only have limited success. After Mattie Lueck's lay-up at the 19:47 mark, lanky 6'0" sophomore Sarah Mong knocked down two charity stripe shots after being fouled at the 17:55 mark and then it was Lee again draining another one of her patented "3's"; this one from the top of the key at the 16:55 mark that made it a 36-26 game. Dale did get in the paint again for the Blazers for a score at the 14:21 mark but then Cowan was able to do the same for the 'Cats at the 14:02 mark and then strong sophomore Sarina Baker knocked down a rare "3" from the left top area at the 13:18 mark that got the 'Cats to within single digits at 39-31. With CSB up 43-31 after Barrett knocked down two freebies at the 11:46 mark, Lee again uncorked a bomb from the left top; this one kissed off the glass and went into the cylinder (I think I heard her call it :) as the 'Cats once again pulled to within single digits at 43-34 by the 11:32 mark.
Predictably, however, CSB never panicked and hit the gas pedal again to wear down their opponents. Two inside scores by reserve sophomore forward Elena Koch at the 10:57 and 10:25 marks had the Blazers rolling again. Then, with 9:17 left it was Barrett leading a 3 on one assault transition for a lay-up and a 49-36 CSB advantage. Barrett did an encore performance with 9:17 left and then it was Canton burying a "3" from the right wing with 5:03 left that had the Blazers up 55-38 with 5:03 left. Mattie Lueck connected with a jumper at the 2:41 mark and was fouled in the process and, although she missed the obligatory free throw, the Blazers were now up 59-40 and Durbin inserted the subs for the closing stretch. This gave 6'6" freshman reserve center Sydney Hughes out of Olympia, Washington a chance to shine as she scored inside with 2:07 left and then Hughes was able to connect with a turnaround shot off the glass with just :46 left. Finally, sophomore reserve Emily Lueck (Mattie's sister) was able to knock down a jumper along the right baseline as time expired for a final count of 66-45 as the Blazers routinely took care of business on this day. Afterward, Durbin confided to me that his team's confidence level has skyrocketed since December and, despite early season losses to UW-River Falls, GAC, SMU, and Concordia up in Moorhead, this Blazer team is looking awfully tough right now; a world apart from the injury-riddled squad a year ago. But now the rough stretch looms in the distance: A home date with Augsburg on Monday night is followed by a Wednesday night home game with conference leader Concordia and then another trip down to the Cities next Saturday for a date at UST. Then, on February 13 the Blazers must make the trek down the River and the Canadian Pacific Railway's River Sub mainline to Winona to take on SMU which, like CSB, is white-hot right now before closing out the regular season at home against St. Olaf. We'll find out more, a LOT more about both the Blazers - and the conference - in the next several days for sure.
Los Angeles Rams
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Concordia vs Macalester 2-2-13
Made the trek on this Groundhog Day over to Macalester's Leonard Center to take in the 1:00 P.M. clash between visiting conference leader Concordia and host Macalester. While the Scots have been in the doldrums as of late, the Cobbers have been rolling along nicely; alone at the top but this game today would be the first test of this crucial weekend roadie - today in St. Paul against Macalester and then tomorrow down the River in Winona for the titanic match-up with second-place SMU.
As Concordia Head Coach Jessica Rahman told me in her typical, pointed way before the game, "We have to focus on today's game first, then worry about tomorrow." Oddly enough, things got off to an auspicious start as the canned version of the National Anthem mysteriously cut out midway through but the resourceful crowd on hand saved the day by singing the rest of it which the Macalester PA announcer was quite grateful for afterward! In any event, as much as Macalester has been struggling this year, the National Anthem fiasco did not faze this young group - at least early on anyway. Junior post Veronika Jakubovie got the Scots on the board first with her turnaround shot at the 17:20 mark and junior guard Emma Leyden made it 4-0 Macalester when she connected on a turnaround shot at the 16:47 mark. Concordia would strike right back, though, as senior guard Emily Thesing knocked down a long "3" from the right top and then it was freshman reserve guard Hannah Jeske getting a lay-up in transition at the 15:30 mark to put the Cobbers in front and then the lead was increased to 7-4 when sophomore reserve Erin Januschka snared an offensive rebound and got a putback at the 14:10 mark.
But the Cobbers looked sluggish and slightly off of their "A" game as the Scots were employing some full-court pressure and doing just enough things on defense to make Concordia look and feel uncomfortable as both teams traded leads over the next eleven minutes. Macalester reclaimed the lead when junior reserve guard Taylor Pike knocked down a jumper from the left corner at the 13:19 mark for an 8-7 game but then Concordia took it right back when senior forward Tricia Sorensen scored on a short jumper off of an inbounds pass that made it 9-8 Cobbers. However, Pike struck gold again when she drained a "3" from the left corner spot she was camping out at for an 11-9 Macalester lead. Right back came the maroon-clad Cobbers as lanky 6'4" junior post Alexandra Lippert connected on a turnaround shot off the glass at the 10:50 mark and then freshman reserve guard Brooke Gaustad snared an offensive rebound for a putback at the 8:53 mark for a 13-11 Concordia lead. Oh, but right back came the home team as junior Carmen Whitehead was able to score off of an inbounds pass and then speedy senior point guard Kyanna Jones connected with a short jumper at the 6:55 mark for a 15-13 Macalester lead. Coming down the stretch, the Cobbers and Scots would trade the lead four more times before Macalester finally grabbed a 26-24 lead when Jones knocked down a jumper with :49 left and Jakubovie was able to put home two freebies from the charity stripe with just :17.7 left. Macalester took that slim advantage into the locker room at the half but arguably left a lot of points off the board with several missed lay-ups and short shots as the 30.30% FG shooting percentage reflected that. Now the question would be for the Scots if they could somehow find a way to shore up their shooting woes and play a full forty minutes.
The answer would soon become evident once the second half got underway as Concordia wasted no time showing why they're in first place in this topsy-turvy MIAC season. Thesing knocked down a jumper at the 19:38 mark and then it was junior guard Erika Jossart with a lay-up just twenty seconds later that had Concordia up for good at 28-26 and prompted Macalester Head Coach Ellen Thompson to call a quick :30 timeout to try and cool off this rejuvenated Cobber team. But unfortunately for the Scots, the Cobbers were just getting started. Lippert was able to score inside at the 18:24 mark and then it was Thesing behind the arc from the top of the key at the 16:57 mark and then it was Lippert again at the 16:15 mark as she was able to connect with an incredibly tough shot off the glass. Another timeout called by Thompson did not halt this Cobber charge as Jeske connected with a lay-up in transition at the 15:08 mark. Scores by Whitehead and junior Kathryn Medinger finally got the cobwebs off of the Scots basket but Macalester continued to be plagued by missed shots, lay-ups and free throws not to mention turnovers. Two free throws by Lippert at the 12:17 mark and yet another trey by Thesing from the right wing at the 11:27 mark and a jumper by the senior from Brainerd at the 10:58 mark completed this decisive 19-6 run that completely turned things around as Concordia now held a commanding 45-32 lead.
The Scots, however, do not know the meaning of the word "quit" and they did make one brief charge to try and cut into the Cobber lead. Jones knocked down a jumper from the left wing at the 10:38 mark and two freebies by freshman guard Erin Murray with 9:28 left plus one more after being fouled in a transition opportunity at the 8:58 mark got the Scots back to within ten at 45-35 and then the freshman from Sparta, Wisconsin stole the spotlight (and the ball from the Cobbers) when she got a steal and went the other way for a lay-up that suddenly had Macalester within eight at 45-37. But the Cobbers responded in their typical calm, cool and collected way and regained control of the ship. A score inside by reserve junior post Kelsey Walloch and then an offensive rebound and putback by Lippert that got her fouled in the process plus the obligatory freebie made it a 50-37 game. Sorensen's two free throws at the 5:05 mark and another three-point bomb by Fisher from the top of the key at the 4:44 mark made it a 55-40 game that snuffed out any ghost of a chance Macalester may have had. Fisher would leave her mark on the Leonard Center on this day with freebies at the 2:24 mark, a lay-up in transition with :55 left and then another three-point bomb from the left corner with just :16.9 left for the final exclamation point that made the final 66-45. Afterward, Sorensen admitted to me that they just needed to come out and play hard in the second half after looking so sluggish early on. Rahman, on the other hand, was more specific as she implored her squad to come out with more energy in the second half as they were standing around on offense in the first half. The other thing that was evident is the great teamwork and chemistry that Concordia has (and seems to ALWAYS have throughout the years). No matter who is in there (as Rahman tends to substitute liberally) they Cobbers always seem to be on the same page and they work like a finely tuned instrument when they're on. With this win in their back pocket, they now make that trip down the Mighty Mississippi and the Canadian Pacific Railway's River Sub mainline to Winona and the Sunday showdown with second place SMU.
As Concordia Head Coach Jessica Rahman told me in her typical, pointed way before the game, "We have to focus on today's game first, then worry about tomorrow." Oddly enough, things got off to an auspicious start as the canned version of the National Anthem mysteriously cut out midway through but the resourceful crowd on hand saved the day by singing the rest of it which the Macalester PA announcer was quite grateful for afterward! In any event, as much as Macalester has been struggling this year, the National Anthem fiasco did not faze this young group - at least early on anyway. Junior post Veronika Jakubovie got the Scots on the board first with her turnaround shot at the 17:20 mark and junior guard Emma Leyden made it 4-0 Macalester when she connected on a turnaround shot at the 16:47 mark. Concordia would strike right back, though, as senior guard Emily Thesing knocked down a long "3" from the right top and then it was freshman reserve guard Hannah Jeske getting a lay-up in transition at the 15:30 mark to put the Cobbers in front and then the lead was increased to 7-4 when sophomore reserve Erin Januschka snared an offensive rebound and got a putback at the 14:10 mark.
But the Cobbers looked sluggish and slightly off of their "A" game as the Scots were employing some full-court pressure and doing just enough things on defense to make Concordia look and feel uncomfortable as both teams traded leads over the next eleven minutes. Macalester reclaimed the lead when junior reserve guard Taylor Pike knocked down a jumper from the left corner at the 13:19 mark for an 8-7 game but then Concordia took it right back when senior forward Tricia Sorensen scored on a short jumper off of an inbounds pass that made it 9-8 Cobbers. However, Pike struck gold again when she drained a "3" from the left corner spot she was camping out at for an 11-9 Macalester lead. Right back came the maroon-clad Cobbers as lanky 6'4" junior post Alexandra Lippert connected on a turnaround shot off the glass at the 10:50 mark and then freshman reserve guard Brooke Gaustad snared an offensive rebound for a putback at the 8:53 mark for a 13-11 Concordia lead. Oh, but right back came the home team as junior Carmen Whitehead was able to score off of an inbounds pass and then speedy senior point guard Kyanna Jones connected with a short jumper at the 6:55 mark for a 15-13 Macalester lead. Coming down the stretch, the Cobbers and Scots would trade the lead four more times before Macalester finally grabbed a 26-24 lead when Jones knocked down a jumper with :49 left and Jakubovie was able to put home two freebies from the charity stripe with just :17.7 left. Macalester took that slim advantage into the locker room at the half but arguably left a lot of points off the board with several missed lay-ups and short shots as the 30.30% FG shooting percentage reflected that. Now the question would be for the Scots if they could somehow find a way to shore up their shooting woes and play a full forty minutes.
The answer would soon become evident once the second half got underway as Concordia wasted no time showing why they're in first place in this topsy-turvy MIAC season. Thesing knocked down a jumper at the 19:38 mark and then it was junior guard Erika Jossart with a lay-up just twenty seconds later that had Concordia up for good at 28-26 and prompted Macalester Head Coach Ellen Thompson to call a quick :30 timeout to try and cool off this rejuvenated Cobber team. But unfortunately for the Scots, the Cobbers were just getting started. Lippert was able to score inside at the 18:24 mark and then it was Thesing behind the arc from the top of the key at the 16:57 mark and then it was Lippert again at the 16:15 mark as she was able to connect with an incredibly tough shot off the glass. Another timeout called by Thompson did not halt this Cobber charge as Jeske connected with a lay-up in transition at the 15:08 mark. Scores by Whitehead and junior Kathryn Medinger finally got the cobwebs off of the Scots basket but Macalester continued to be plagued by missed shots, lay-ups and free throws not to mention turnovers. Two free throws by Lippert at the 12:17 mark and yet another trey by Thesing from the right wing at the 11:27 mark and a jumper by the senior from Brainerd at the 10:58 mark completed this decisive 19-6 run that completely turned things around as Concordia now held a commanding 45-32 lead.
The Scots, however, do not know the meaning of the word "quit" and they did make one brief charge to try and cut into the Cobber lead. Jones knocked down a jumper from the left wing at the 10:38 mark and two freebies by freshman guard Erin Murray with 9:28 left plus one more after being fouled in a transition opportunity at the 8:58 mark got the Scots back to within ten at 45-35 and then the freshman from Sparta, Wisconsin stole the spotlight (and the ball from the Cobbers) when she got a steal and went the other way for a lay-up that suddenly had Macalester within eight at 45-37. But the Cobbers responded in their typical calm, cool and collected way and regained control of the ship. A score inside by reserve junior post Kelsey Walloch and then an offensive rebound and putback by Lippert that got her fouled in the process plus the obligatory freebie made it a 50-37 game. Sorensen's two free throws at the 5:05 mark and another three-point bomb by Fisher from the top of the key at the 4:44 mark made it a 55-40 game that snuffed out any ghost of a chance Macalester may have had. Fisher would leave her mark on the Leonard Center on this day with freebies at the 2:24 mark, a lay-up in transition with :55 left and then another three-point bomb from the left corner with just :16.9 left for the final exclamation point that made the final 66-45. Afterward, Sorensen admitted to me that they just needed to come out and play hard in the second half after looking so sluggish early on. Rahman, on the other hand, was more specific as she implored her squad to come out with more energy in the second half as they were standing around on offense in the first half. The other thing that was evident is the great teamwork and chemistry that Concordia has (and seems to ALWAYS have throughout the years). No matter who is in there (as Rahman tends to substitute liberally) they Cobbers always seem to be on the same page and they work like a finely tuned instrument when they're on. With this win in their back pocket, they now make that trip down the Mighty Mississippi and the Canadian Pacific Railway's River Sub mainline to Winona and the Sunday showdown with second place SMU.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
CSB vs Bethel 1-30-13
Made the trek over to Bethel's Robertson Center on this very cold Wednesday evening to take in the clash between host Bethel and visiting St. Ben's. The Blazers, who have been on a roll as of late and fighting tooth and nail with SMU for second place in the conference appeared to be the prohibitive favorite in this game but, as they would find out (almost the hard way), you have to come prepared each night in the MIAC.
The Royals, just as they had in the road game at Macalester, came out with a lot of energy in this game and were primed to go and it showed early on. Freshman guard Sydney "Bam Bam" Schultz's "3" from the top of the key drew first blood at the 19:31 mark. CSB, on the other hand, was struggling mightily on offense and was whistled for several traveling violations as the Blazers simply were unable to find any rythm at all. After freebies by freshman Mattie Lueck and senior Whitney Canton that tied things at 3-all, the Royals proceeded to go on a 7-0 run; highlighted by senior point guard Kristi Nye-Studanski's jumper from the right baseline and a lay-up in transition as well along with yet another "3" by "Bam Bam" that made it 10-3 Bethl by the 14:21 mark and had CSB Head Coach Mike Durbin calling a 30-second timeout to try and find a way to put the fire out.
The Blazers would not be able to find those proverbial water buckets right away but even as the Royals kept something of a cushion they were unable to capitalize on several opportunities for fast break baskets as Bethel inexplicably blew THREE easy transition lay-ups in the span of four minutes. The Blazers finally got their first field goal of the game when Mattie Lueck did get a lay-up in transition and athletic junior Tish Alexander helped pull the Blazers closer with a lay-up at the 11:14 mark and two freebies from the charity stripe at the 10:42 mark that made it a 16-10 game in favor of Bethel. After Canton connected with a pretty shot off the glass at the 7:45 mark and a tough jumper by sophomore Emily Lueck as the shot clock expired at the 6:50 mark that cut the Royal lead down to 18-14, Bethel was able to make good on a mini 5-0 run that was highlighted by another "Bam Bam" "3" from the right wing (her favorite spot) that increased the Royal lead to 23-14. But again, Bethel failed to consolidate the advantage they had as missed opportunites let the door open for the Blazers to creep closer. After two free throws by Canton at the 5:58 mark, junior guard Brianna Barrett was able to manuever inside for a score and got fouled in the process at the 4:23 mark and the ensuing freebie cut the Bethel lead down to 23-19. Just a little more than a minute later at the 3:17 mark, Barrett again got inside in the paint for a finish that cut the Royal lead down to a scant two points. Bethel would twice get the lead back up to four points in the waning moments but a "3" by sophomore reserve guard Jessica Fischer from the right top area with 1:44 left made it a one point game before freshman reserve post Megan Brodeur was able to score inside that gave the Royals the 29-26 lead they took into the locker room at the half.
Bethel looked to gain the upper hand again as the second half got underway as junior guard Katelyn Vavra banged home a "3" from the top of the key at the 19:34 mark. Then, after senior reserve forward Hannah Hylla's long "2" from the right baseline and a score inside by Canton at the 18:08 mark got the Blazers to within two again, the Royals went to work as freshman phenom post Rachel Parupsky was able to connect with a tough turnaround jumper off the glass at the 17:40 mark and then used that same smooth surface again at the 16:19 mark for a 36-30 Bethel lead. Reserve junior guard Micaella Petrich would make it a 38-31 game with her jumper at the 15:43 mark.
The Blazers, however, seem to flourish when things look grim on the road and they responded. First, Mattie Lueck got a lay-up in transition at the 15:00 minute mark and then it was Alexander as she was the recipient of an incredibly beautiful (and incredibly well-placed) bounce pass by Canton in the paint for a lay-up at the 14:31 mark. CSB finally got even when Barrett made good on a drive and finish along the left baseline and was fouled in the process that, along with the obligatory freebie, made it 38-all. Then the Blazers finally took their first lead of the game when Canton connected with a lay-up in transition at the 13:23 mark as CSB was making life uncomfortable for the Royal as they upped their defensive intensity and got into the passing lanes that really took Bethel out of their offensive rythm as the Blazers seemed ready to take control. At the 12:00 mark, sophomore reserve forward Elena Koch knocked down a long "2" from the right corner and then it was Barrett with another lay-up in transition at the 9:55 mark. Canton topped off this 15-0 Blazer run with a turnaround jumper off the glass with 9:55 left for a 46-38 Blazer lead. By this point, it seemed as if CSB was firmly in control of this thing and was ready to cruise the rest of the way.
Or were they? Apparently someone forgot to tell this young Bethel Royal team that they were supposed to just simply fold up their tent and go home for the night as the Royals battled back in improbable fashion. After Mattie Lueck was able to snare an offensive rebound for a putback with 8:10 left that maintained that eight point advantage at 50-42 for CSB, Bethel once again went to work. Two scores by Parupsky at the 7:49 and 7:02 marks plus a huge steal by Petrich who literally came out of nowhere to snare an errant Blazer pass and go the other way for a lay-up at the 6:44 mark suddenly made it a 50-48 game. Two charity stripe shots by Parupsky with 5:30 left once again tied the issue at 50 a piece. CSB was able to grab another four point lead in an effort to try and put the Royals away for good on scores by Alexander and Barrett but, once again, the Royals refused to go quietly into the night. Freshman reserve guard Hannah Niewald connected with a jumper in the lane with 4:37 left to cut the Blazer lead back down to two points and then it was Vavra who made the home crowd explode with her tough "3" from the left corner with 2:58 left that gave Bethel the lead back at 55-54. From this point, it would be fair to say that controlled chaos reigned as Alexander gave the Blazers the lead back with her own jumper in the lane to make it 56-55. However, Parupsky gave Bethel the lead AGAIN with her score inside with 2:17 left to make it a 57-56 game.
But, just as they had this last Saturday at Gustavus, the Blazers seemingly willed their way to ultimate victory when they appeared to be in dire straits. Barrett calmly knocked down a huge "3" at the 2:03 mark and then it was Alexander making perhaps the play of the game as she snared the ball away from Parupsky on the Royals ensuing possession to go the other way for a lay-up attempt. Though Alexander missed the lay-up, senior Morgan Dale was right there for the offensive rebound and putback that made it a two possession game at 61-57. Then, with 1:20 left, Barrett snuck inside again for a score and got fouled in the process. Her obligatory freebie missed the mark but it was now a 63-57 game and Bethel now had to resort to desperation as the Blazers blanketed the perimeter that thwarted any hopes the Royals may have had. Alexander and Fisher made good on late free throws in the final seconds and CSB staved off defeat again by a final score of 67-57; as the Royals were heartbroken in defeat. But credit this CSB squad. They're tough. They're hot. And they're lucky. They've got everything going for them right now and they're playing like they can't beat and if they keep this up they may very well wind up winning this incredibly crazy conference.
The Royals, just as they had in the road game at Macalester, came out with a lot of energy in this game and were primed to go and it showed early on. Freshman guard Sydney "Bam Bam" Schultz's "3" from the top of the key drew first blood at the 19:31 mark. CSB, on the other hand, was struggling mightily on offense and was whistled for several traveling violations as the Blazers simply were unable to find any rythm at all. After freebies by freshman Mattie Lueck and senior Whitney Canton that tied things at 3-all, the Royals proceeded to go on a 7-0 run; highlighted by senior point guard Kristi Nye-Studanski's jumper from the right baseline and a lay-up in transition as well along with yet another "3" by "Bam Bam" that made it 10-3 Bethl by the 14:21 mark and had CSB Head Coach Mike Durbin calling a 30-second timeout to try and find a way to put the fire out.
The Blazers would not be able to find those proverbial water buckets right away but even as the Royals kept something of a cushion they were unable to capitalize on several opportunities for fast break baskets as Bethel inexplicably blew THREE easy transition lay-ups in the span of four minutes. The Blazers finally got their first field goal of the game when Mattie Lueck did get a lay-up in transition and athletic junior Tish Alexander helped pull the Blazers closer with a lay-up at the 11:14 mark and two freebies from the charity stripe at the 10:42 mark that made it a 16-10 game in favor of Bethel. After Canton connected with a pretty shot off the glass at the 7:45 mark and a tough jumper by sophomore Emily Lueck as the shot clock expired at the 6:50 mark that cut the Royal lead down to 18-14, Bethel was able to make good on a mini 5-0 run that was highlighted by another "Bam Bam" "3" from the right wing (her favorite spot) that increased the Royal lead to 23-14. But again, Bethel failed to consolidate the advantage they had as missed opportunites let the door open for the Blazers to creep closer. After two free throws by Canton at the 5:58 mark, junior guard Brianna Barrett was able to manuever inside for a score and got fouled in the process at the 4:23 mark and the ensuing freebie cut the Bethel lead down to 23-19. Just a little more than a minute later at the 3:17 mark, Barrett again got inside in the paint for a finish that cut the Royal lead down to a scant two points. Bethel would twice get the lead back up to four points in the waning moments but a "3" by sophomore reserve guard Jessica Fischer from the right top area with 1:44 left made it a one point game before freshman reserve post Megan Brodeur was able to score inside that gave the Royals the 29-26 lead they took into the locker room at the half.
Bethel looked to gain the upper hand again as the second half got underway as junior guard Katelyn Vavra banged home a "3" from the top of the key at the 19:34 mark. Then, after senior reserve forward Hannah Hylla's long "2" from the right baseline and a score inside by Canton at the 18:08 mark got the Blazers to within two again, the Royals went to work as freshman phenom post Rachel Parupsky was able to connect with a tough turnaround jumper off the glass at the 17:40 mark and then used that same smooth surface again at the 16:19 mark for a 36-30 Bethel lead. Reserve junior guard Micaella Petrich would make it a 38-31 game with her jumper at the 15:43 mark.
The Blazers, however, seem to flourish when things look grim on the road and they responded. First, Mattie Lueck got a lay-up in transition at the 15:00 minute mark and then it was Alexander as she was the recipient of an incredibly beautiful (and incredibly well-placed) bounce pass by Canton in the paint for a lay-up at the 14:31 mark. CSB finally got even when Barrett made good on a drive and finish along the left baseline and was fouled in the process that, along with the obligatory freebie, made it 38-all. Then the Blazers finally took their first lead of the game when Canton connected with a lay-up in transition at the 13:23 mark as CSB was making life uncomfortable for the Royal as they upped their defensive intensity and got into the passing lanes that really took Bethel out of their offensive rythm as the Blazers seemed ready to take control. At the 12:00 mark, sophomore reserve forward Elena Koch knocked down a long "2" from the right corner and then it was Barrett with another lay-up in transition at the 9:55 mark. Canton topped off this 15-0 Blazer run with a turnaround jumper off the glass with 9:55 left for a 46-38 Blazer lead. By this point, it seemed as if CSB was firmly in control of this thing and was ready to cruise the rest of the way.
Or were they? Apparently someone forgot to tell this young Bethel Royal team that they were supposed to just simply fold up their tent and go home for the night as the Royals battled back in improbable fashion. After Mattie Lueck was able to snare an offensive rebound for a putback with 8:10 left that maintained that eight point advantage at 50-42 for CSB, Bethel once again went to work. Two scores by Parupsky at the 7:49 and 7:02 marks plus a huge steal by Petrich who literally came out of nowhere to snare an errant Blazer pass and go the other way for a lay-up at the 6:44 mark suddenly made it a 50-48 game. Two charity stripe shots by Parupsky with 5:30 left once again tied the issue at 50 a piece. CSB was able to grab another four point lead in an effort to try and put the Royals away for good on scores by Alexander and Barrett but, once again, the Royals refused to go quietly into the night. Freshman reserve guard Hannah Niewald connected with a jumper in the lane with 4:37 left to cut the Blazer lead back down to two points and then it was Vavra who made the home crowd explode with her tough "3" from the left corner with 2:58 left that gave Bethel the lead back at 55-54. From this point, it would be fair to say that controlled chaos reigned as Alexander gave the Blazers the lead back with her own jumper in the lane to make it 56-55. However, Parupsky gave Bethel the lead AGAIN with her score inside with 2:17 left to make it a 57-56 game.
But, just as they had this last Saturday at Gustavus, the Blazers seemingly willed their way to ultimate victory when they appeared to be in dire straits. Barrett calmly knocked down a huge "3" at the 2:03 mark and then it was Alexander making perhaps the play of the game as she snared the ball away from Parupsky on the Royals ensuing possession to go the other way for a lay-up attempt. Though Alexander missed the lay-up, senior Morgan Dale was right there for the offensive rebound and putback that made it a two possession game at 61-57. Then, with 1:20 left, Barrett snuck inside again for a score and got fouled in the process. Her obligatory freebie missed the mark but it was now a 63-57 game and Bethel now had to resort to desperation as the Blazers blanketed the perimeter that thwarted any hopes the Royals may have had. Alexander and Fisher made good on late free throws in the final seconds and CSB staved off defeat again by a final score of 67-57; as the Royals were heartbroken in defeat. But credit this CSB squad. They're tough. They're hot. And they're lucky. They've got everything going for them right now and they're playing like they can't beat and if they keep this up they may very well wind up winning this incredibly crazy conference.
Monday, January 28, 2013
MIAC Power Rankings 1-28-13
(yawn) Just another wild, crazy week in the MIAC. So, what else is new? Anyway, here's how things stack up in this Monday morning's MIAC Power Rankings:
1. Concordia
2. (tie) CSB & SMU
3. (tie) UST & GAC
4. (tie) St. Olaf & Hamline
5. Augsburg
6. Carleton
7. Bethel
8. Macalester
9. St. Kate's
The sure and steady Cobbers have suddenly vaulted their way to the top of the rankings by scoring huge wins this last week including the big upset of UST this last Monday night. While things look favorable for them this week, they do have big road contests looming in the distance at both SMU and CSB. Speaking of those two, they now find themselves embroiled in a battle for second place (in both rankings AND conference standings) as the Cardinals claimed two road wins at Hamline and St. Kate's that sandwiched the huge win at home vs UST while CSB claimed three wins this last week; highlighted by the thriller in St. Peter against GAC......
Meanwhile, suddenly slumping UST has seen its dreams of easily repeating as MIAC champions go up in flames as they've inexplicably lost four out of their last six. I don't want to say that the Tommies are suddenly circling the drain but it must feel like it right about now. Another team that may want to strongly consider breaking out the panic button is GAC as they've now lost three out of their last four games; including heartbreakers at home to both Concordia and CSB just this last Saturday. Things don't get any easier for the Gusties as they have to travel to Winona on Wednesday night to go up against SMU and then come up to the Cities on Saturday for another tricky contest at Hamline. Speaking of the Pipers, they've suddenly got on the right track despite dropping a tough game to SMU last week Monday night by getting a big road win at Augsburg and then pulling off the unthinkable by knocking off UST in the Tommies own crib on Saturday. St. Olaf, which appeared to be on life support just a mere week ago has suddenly righted the ship as well by getting three big wins this last week including the big one at home against GAC last Wednesday night. IF, if they can stay healthy and get point production from their guards (Mackenzie Wolter, Lauren Gutierrez, and Kim Cerjan) they could be very, very dangerous once the conference playoffs roll around.
1. Concordia
2. (tie) CSB & SMU
3. (tie) UST & GAC
4. (tie) St. Olaf & Hamline
5. Augsburg
6. Carleton
7. Bethel
8. Macalester
9. St. Kate's
The sure and steady Cobbers have suddenly vaulted their way to the top of the rankings by scoring huge wins this last week including the big upset of UST this last Monday night. While things look favorable for them this week, they do have big road contests looming in the distance at both SMU and CSB. Speaking of those two, they now find themselves embroiled in a battle for second place (in both rankings AND conference standings) as the Cardinals claimed two road wins at Hamline and St. Kate's that sandwiched the huge win at home vs UST while CSB claimed three wins this last week; highlighted by the thriller in St. Peter against GAC......
Meanwhile, suddenly slumping UST has seen its dreams of easily repeating as MIAC champions go up in flames as they've inexplicably lost four out of their last six. I don't want to say that the Tommies are suddenly circling the drain but it must feel like it right about now. Another team that may want to strongly consider breaking out the panic button is GAC as they've now lost three out of their last four games; including heartbreakers at home to both Concordia and CSB just this last Saturday. Things don't get any easier for the Gusties as they have to travel to Winona on Wednesday night to go up against SMU and then come up to the Cities on Saturday for another tricky contest at Hamline. Speaking of the Pipers, they've suddenly got on the right track despite dropping a tough game to SMU last week Monday night by getting a big road win at Augsburg and then pulling off the unthinkable by knocking off UST in the Tommies own crib on Saturday. St. Olaf, which appeared to be on life support just a mere week ago has suddenly righted the ship as well by getting three big wins this last week including the big one at home against GAC last Wednesday night. IF, if they can stay healthy and get point production from their guards (Mackenzie Wolter, Lauren Gutierrez, and Kim Cerjan) they could be very, very dangerous once the conference playoffs roll around.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
SMU vs St. Kate's Synopsis 1-26-13
After helping out with the webcast of Bethel's convincing 71-49 win over Carleton in their 1 P.M. clash, I hustled down Snelling and Summit Avenues and eventually over to St. Kate's Butler Center to take in the 3 P.M. tilt between visiting St. Mary's and host St. Kate's. After making good time over there I got inside and settled in at the 6:42 mark of the 1st half with the host 'Cats holding a surprising 15-11 lead.
St. Kate's upped that lead to 17-11; shocking everyone inside Butler Center including yours truly as sophomore forward Sarah Mong connected with a jumper in the lane with 5:37 left. However, the Cardinals would not be fazed by this impressive start by the 'Cats. Although SMU was arguably struggling somewhat early on with the 2-3 zone that St. Kate's was throwing at them and their perimeter shooting reflected that (an icy 23.68% in the first half), they would find a way to make a run and take the momentum away from the 'Cats by the halftime break. With 4:42 left, freshman guard Bridget Pethke knocked down a "3" from the left corner. Then it was sophomore Sara Schoenthaler who cut St. Kate's lead down to a scant point with her lay-up in transition with 4:20 left. Then it was senior post Jamie Stefely, whose offensive rebound and putback with 3:17 left gave SMU a lead they would never relinquish at 18-17. But the Cards were far from finished as SMU got points from more than just one contributor. Speedy sophomore guard Octavia Brown was able to slither inside for a score with 2:47 left and then after senior forward Brittany Begrowicz' free throws with 2:14 left it was junior forward Courtney Euerle displaying her athleticism with a steal and lay-up the other way with 1:54 left for a 24-17 SMU lead. Mong would get two late scores for the 'Cats but this 14-4 run by the Cardinals pretty much sucked the air out of St. Kate's and gave all the momentum to this fast-rising SMU team going into the locker room at the halftime break up 25-21.
SMU would waste no time once the second half got underway to put considerable distance between themselves and their (way too gracious sometimes with turnovers) host. Senior Jessica Thone would get things started getting to the charity stripe to knock down two freebies at the 18:40 mark and then it was Thone again with a jumper near the free throw line off the glass that upped the Cardinal lead to 29-21. Sophomore forward Mary Neumann tried to stem the Cardinal tide with her jumper at the 16:59 mark but then it was Thone and Stefely who ran rampant through that 2-3 zone that St. Kate's was still employing as SMU effectively spread that zone out just far enough that allowed gaping holes down the middle for the Cardinals to exploit. Stefely snared an offensive rebound and got a putback at the 16:43 mark and then it was Thone with a strong drive inside into the paint with a lay-up down the middle at the 15:54 mark. Then Stefely used her 6'1" frame to score inside at the 15:21 mark and then Stefely finished off a lay-up in transition just seconds later off of a Begrowicz rebound on the other end that prompted St. Kate's Head Coach Sean Pinkerton to call a quick 30-second timeout to try and put out the fires this 14-2 SMU run caused.
Unfortunately for the 'Cats, the impromptu timeout had little effect as the Cardinals kept on flying. Euerle was able to make a backcourt steal of an errant Wildcat pass that she converted into an easy lay-up at the 14:16 mark as SMU embarked on another major run of 10-2 that made it a 49-25 ballgame before St. Kate's freshman guard Shauna Horsch got a rare opportunity - that she made good on - to put down three freebies after getting fouled on a shot attempt behind the arc. After Thone connected with a long jumper just inside the three-point line from the left corner with 9:51 left, the 'Cats did try and make some stabs at the Cardinal cushion. Junior forward Madison Pertler scored on a lay-up with 9:33 left and then it was Horsch draining a "3" from the right corner with 8:04 left but the Cardinals were still up 53-35 and nothing was going to stop SMU coming down the stretch. Points in the paint by Begrowicz at the 5:23 and 4:53 marks and then a drive and finish by the senior from Des Plaines, Illinois with 3:51 left made it a 59-36 ballgame. SMU Head Coach Mandy Pearson then began putting in her subs but even they weren't content to not get in on the fun as junior reserve guard Darcey Rice banged home a "3" from the top with 3:07 left and then freshman forward Natalie Larson was able to manuever inside for a score with 2:46 left. With just 1:12 left junior reserve guard Kaitlyn Keefe knocked down a jumper and then with :32.6 freshman guard Makenzie Garibay connected with a lay-up. A missed St. Kate's shot with just :22.7 left got stuck in between the the rim and glass which pretty much summed up the day for the home team as SMU would waltz back down the River with a 68-40 win. This victory, coupled with CSB's narrow win in St. Peter against GAC suddenly has the Cardinals tied with the Blazers for second place in the conference; both just one game behind (now) league-leading Concordia.
St. Kate's upped that lead to 17-11; shocking everyone inside Butler Center including yours truly as sophomore forward Sarah Mong connected with a jumper in the lane with 5:37 left. However, the Cardinals would not be fazed by this impressive start by the 'Cats. Although SMU was arguably struggling somewhat early on with the 2-3 zone that St. Kate's was throwing at them and their perimeter shooting reflected that (an icy 23.68% in the first half), they would find a way to make a run and take the momentum away from the 'Cats by the halftime break. With 4:42 left, freshman guard Bridget Pethke knocked down a "3" from the left corner. Then it was sophomore Sara Schoenthaler who cut St. Kate's lead down to a scant point with her lay-up in transition with 4:20 left. Then it was senior post Jamie Stefely, whose offensive rebound and putback with 3:17 left gave SMU a lead they would never relinquish at 18-17. But the Cards were far from finished as SMU got points from more than just one contributor. Speedy sophomore guard Octavia Brown was able to slither inside for a score with 2:47 left and then after senior forward Brittany Begrowicz' free throws with 2:14 left it was junior forward Courtney Euerle displaying her athleticism with a steal and lay-up the other way with 1:54 left for a 24-17 SMU lead. Mong would get two late scores for the 'Cats but this 14-4 run by the Cardinals pretty much sucked the air out of St. Kate's and gave all the momentum to this fast-rising SMU team going into the locker room at the halftime break up 25-21.
SMU would waste no time once the second half got underway to put considerable distance between themselves and their (way too gracious sometimes with turnovers) host. Senior Jessica Thone would get things started getting to the charity stripe to knock down two freebies at the 18:40 mark and then it was Thone again with a jumper near the free throw line off the glass that upped the Cardinal lead to 29-21. Sophomore forward Mary Neumann tried to stem the Cardinal tide with her jumper at the 16:59 mark but then it was Thone and Stefely who ran rampant through that 2-3 zone that St. Kate's was still employing as SMU effectively spread that zone out just far enough that allowed gaping holes down the middle for the Cardinals to exploit. Stefely snared an offensive rebound and got a putback at the 16:43 mark and then it was Thone with a strong drive inside into the paint with a lay-up down the middle at the 15:54 mark. Then Stefely used her 6'1" frame to score inside at the 15:21 mark and then Stefely finished off a lay-up in transition just seconds later off of a Begrowicz rebound on the other end that prompted St. Kate's Head Coach Sean Pinkerton to call a quick 30-second timeout to try and put out the fires this 14-2 SMU run caused.
Unfortunately for the 'Cats, the impromptu timeout had little effect as the Cardinals kept on flying. Euerle was able to make a backcourt steal of an errant Wildcat pass that she converted into an easy lay-up at the 14:16 mark as SMU embarked on another major run of 10-2 that made it a 49-25 ballgame before St. Kate's freshman guard Shauna Horsch got a rare opportunity - that she made good on - to put down three freebies after getting fouled on a shot attempt behind the arc. After Thone connected with a long jumper just inside the three-point line from the left corner with 9:51 left, the 'Cats did try and make some stabs at the Cardinal cushion. Junior forward Madison Pertler scored on a lay-up with 9:33 left and then it was Horsch draining a "3" from the right corner with 8:04 left but the Cardinals were still up 53-35 and nothing was going to stop SMU coming down the stretch. Points in the paint by Begrowicz at the 5:23 and 4:53 marks and then a drive and finish by the senior from Des Plaines, Illinois with 3:51 left made it a 59-36 ballgame. SMU Head Coach Mandy Pearson then began putting in her subs but even they weren't content to not get in on the fun as junior reserve guard Darcey Rice banged home a "3" from the top with 3:07 left and then freshman forward Natalie Larson was able to manuever inside for a score with 2:46 left. With just 1:12 left junior reserve guard Kaitlyn Keefe knocked down a jumper and then with :32.6 freshman guard Makenzie Garibay connected with a lay-up. A missed St. Kate's shot with just :22.7 left got stuck in between the the rim and glass which pretty much summed up the day for the home team as SMU would waltz back down the River with a 68-40 win. This victory, coupled with CSB's narrow win in St. Peter against GAC suddenly has the Cardinals tied with the Blazers for second place in the conference; both just one game behind (now) league-leading Concordia.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
St. Olaf vs St. Kate's 1-23-13
Made the trek over to the St. Paul side of town on this cold January night to take in the St. Olaf - St. Kate's game from the Butler Center. St. Olaf, fresh off of its big home victory over Gustavus on Monday night was looking to regain some much-needed momentum for a late season playoff push while the host 'Cats were also coming off a win - 84-82 over Macalester for their first conference win of the season.
St. Kate's started off in a 2-3 zone "D" in hopes of neutralizing the Ole "bigs" - senior Erin Haglund, junior Elise Raney and sophomore Nikki Frogner but those hopes were quickly dashed. After two Haglund freebies to start things off at the 18:44 mark, freshman point guard Lauren Gutierrez made it 4-0 Oles with her jumper from the right wing at the 18:12 mark. Strong sophomore forward Sarina Baker tried to keep the 'Cats in things early on with her "3" from the left wing at the 17:47 mark but the Oles responded with a 14-1 run as St. Olaf dominated in the paint. Easy inside scores by the aforementioned "bigs" plus a lay-up in transition by sophomore reserve guard Maddie Ehrich and another "3" by Gutierrez from the right wing at the 1:06 mark highlighted the run.
Baker momentarily put a halt to the St. Olaf charge when she connected with a jumper near the top of the key at the 10:25 mark but perimeter shooting was pretty much all the 'Cats could do against a much bigger St. Olaf team that continued to have its way in the paint. After Raney canned two free throws after being fouled at the 10:02 mark, she snared an offensive rebound a minute later for a putback for a 22-6 St. Olaf lead. Freshman guard Shauna Horsch got some more points on the board for St. Kate's with her "3" from the left corner with 8:48 left but those points were far too few to stem the Ole avalanche. Senior guard Mackenzie Wolter was able to connect with a jumper from the right top with 8:33 left and then it was Raney again connecting with a shot off the glass at the 8:00 mark. Then it was another member of Head Coach Dave Stromme's "Colorado Connection"; the mad bomber from Colorado Springs, freshman Kim Cerjan who lit up things in the Butler Center with "3's" at the 6:26 and 5:58 marks that ballooned the Ole lead to 34-11. Consecutive inside scores by Frogner at the 4:53 and 4:28 marks made it 38-13 St. Olaf before junior guard Kristen Lee was able to cut into the Ole advantage with her "3" from the top of the key with 4:03 left. But easy inside scores by Ehrich, Cerjan and senior reserve forward Ashley Menzel got the Oles a 44-16 advantage before Lee was able to connect with one more "3" before the halftime break for the 'Cats. Clearly St. Kate's Head Coach Sean Pinkerton had to find a way to get something going down low and get his team more active on the boards.
To their credit, the 'Cats most definitely did come out re-energized and refocused as the second half began. More importantly, they showed a willingness to get more active on the boards despite the size disadvantage they faced. Baker was able to score inside at the 17:38 mark and then it was freshman Cynthia Cowan who drained a "3" from the right wing at the 16:46 mark. Then diminutive sophomore reserve guard Amanda Padilla was able to manuever inside with a drive and finish at the 15:21 mark. Still, they could not thwart the size factor that St. Olaf had and the Oles continued to use that to their advantage; even when Raney picked up her 3rd foul early in the second half. Yet another inside score by Frogner at the 16:02 mark plus two freebies by the former Providence Academy standout made it a 52-26 game. "3's" by the Front Range crew of Cerjan and Gutierrez made it a 60-30 Ole advantage by the 11:47 mark.
Pinkerton, by this point, was willing to do anything to help re-energize his team and after a somewhat controversial "no-call" Pinkerton took off his jacket after voicing his displeasure with the game officials and the 'Cats responded with a 7-0 run highlighted by a "3" by Horsch at the 10:17 mark that had Stromme call for a timeout to get his squad back on an even keel again. The 'Cats were still fighting, scratching and clawing for everything they could get, however. Horsch made a steal near mid-court and raced the other way for a lay-up with 9:14 left and Cowan was able to knock freebies down at the 8:42 and 8:16 marks but they never could get close enough to make the Oles sweat. Frogner scored inside again with 7:18 left and then Menzel was able to knock down a jumper from near the top with 6:29 left. Even as the foul advantage had St. Kate's in the double bonus by the 3:22 mark the Oles were still comfortably ahead as both Raney and Frogner continued their dominance in the paint. Stromme inserted his reserves with just a little over two minutes left and that allowed Mackenzie Wolter's younger sister, Afton, to drain a "3" with 2:00 left for a 76-49 advantage. Lee connected with a jumper for the 'Cats with 1:32 left and then Neumann drained one more "3" for the home team with :55 lead but the Oles were able to get out of the Twin Cities and back to Northfield on this bitterly cold night with an important 78-56 road win to keep their playoff hopes very much alive for the moment. Now they just have to find a way to stay healthy as this MIAC conference race gets crazier by the minute.
St. Kate's started off in a 2-3 zone "D" in hopes of neutralizing the Ole "bigs" - senior Erin Haglund, junior Elise Raney and sophomore Nikki Frogner but those hopes were quickly dashed. After two Haglund freebies to start things off at the 18:44 mark, freshman point guard Lauren Gutierrez made it 4-0 Oles with her jumper from the right wing at the 18:12 mark. Strong sophomore forward Sarina Baker tried to keep the 'Cats in things early on with her "3" from the left wing at the 17:47 mark but the Oles responded with a 14-1 run as St. Olaf dominated in the paint. Easy inside scores by the aforementioned "bigs" plus a lay-up in transition by sophomore reserve guard Maddie Ehrich and another "3" by Gutierrez from the right wing at the 1:06 mark highlighted the run.
Baker momentarily put a halt to the St. Olaf charge when she connected with a jumper near the top of the key at the 10:25 mark but perimeter shooting was pretty much all the 'Cats could do against a much bigger St. Olaf team that continued to have its way in the paint. After Raney canned two free throws after being fouled at the 10:02 mark, she snared an offensive rebound a minute later for a putback for a 22-6 St. Olaf lead. Freshman guard Shauna Horsch got some more points on the board for St. Kate's with her "3" from the left corner with 8:48 left but those points were far too few to stem the Ole avalanche. Senior guard Mackenzie Wolter was able to connect with a jumper from the right top with 8:33 left and then it was Raney again connecting with a shot off the glass at the 8:00 mark. Then it was another member of Head Coach Dave Stromme's "Colorado Connection"; the mad bomber from Colorado Springs, freshman Kim Cerjan who lit up things in the Butler Center with "3's" at the 6:26 and 5:58 marks that ballooned the Ole lead to 34-11. Consecutive inside scores by Frogner at the 4:53 and 4:28 marks made it 38-13 St. Olaf before junior guard Kristen Lee was able to cut into the Ole advantage with her "3" from the top of the key with 4:03 left. But easy inside scores by Ehrich, Cerjan and senior reserve forward Ashley Menzel got the Oles a 44-16 advantage before Lee was able to connect with one more "3" before the halftime break for the 'Cats. Clearly St. Kate's Head Coach Sean Pinkerton had to find a way to get something going down low and get his team more active on the boards.
To their credit, the 'Cats most definitely did come out re-energized and refocused as the second half began. More importantly, they showed a willingness to get more active on the boards despite the size disadvantage they faced. Baker was able to score inside at the 17:38 mark and then it was freshman Cynthia Cowan who drained a "3" from the right wing at the 16:46 mark. Then diminutive sophomore reserve guard Amanda Padilla was able to manuever inside with a drive and finish at the 15:21 mark. Still, they could not thwart the size factor that St. Olaf had and the Oles continued to use that to their advantage; even when Raney picked up her 3rd foul early in the second half. Yet another inside score by Frogner at the 16:02 mark plus two freebies by the former Providence Academy standout made it a 52-26 game. "3's" by the Front Range crew of Cerjan and Gutierrez made it a 60-30 Ole advantage by the 11:47 mark.
Pinkerton, by this point, was willing to do anything to help re-energize his team and after a somewhat controversial "no-call" Pinkerton took off his jacket after voicing his displeasure with the game officials and the 'Cats responded with a 7-0 run highlighted by a "3" by Horsch at the 10:17 mark that had Stromme call for a timeout to get his squad back on an even keel again. The 'Cats were still fighting, scratching and clawing for everything they could get, however. Horsch made a steal near mid-court and raced the other way for a lay-up with 9:14 left and Cowan was able to knock freebies down at the 8:42 and 8:16 marks but they never could get close enough to make the Oles sweat. Frogner scored inside again with 7:18 left and then Menzel was able to knock down a jumper from near the top with 6:29 left. Even as the foul advantage had St. Kate's in the double bonus by the 3:22 mark the Oles were still comfortably ahead as both Raney and Frogner continued their dominance in the paint. Stromme inserted his reserves with just a little over two minutes left and that allowed Mackenzie Wolter's younger sister, Afton, to drain a "3" with 2:00 left for a 76-49 advantage. Lee connected with a jumper for the 'Cats with 1:32 left and then Neumann drained one more "3" for the home team with :55 lead but the Oles were able to get out of the Twin Cities and back to Northfield on this bitterly cold night with an important 78-56 road win to keep their playoff hopes very much alive for the moment. Now they just have to find a way to stay healthy as this MIAC conference race gets crazier by the minute.
Monday, January 21, 2013
MIAC Power Rankings 1-21-13
Let's see how things look as of this A.M. Not surprisingly, a few changes are in the offing......
1. UST
2. (tie) GAC, Concordia, & CSB
3. SMU
4. Hamline
5. St. Olaf
6. Carleton
7. Augsburg
8. Bethel
9. Macalester
10. St. Kate's
Tommies remain in the top spot after convincing victories but this upcoming week will be a huge test as they have roadies at Concordia (tonight 1-21) and then down the River in Winona on Wednesday night. The Cobbers, meanwhile, got their act together by claiming not only a road win at Bethel but going into St. Peter and pulling off the upset against the Gusties. A heartbreaker for sure for GAC but they should presumably take care of business this week before another showdown at home with suddenly surging CSB next Saturday. The Blazers just continue to impress me with strong showings on the road this last week and they should also roll before the showdown with GAC next Saturday. As such, I've got a three-way logjam in the second spot for the moment. SMU got a huge scare on Saturday at Augsburg and had to go into an extra session to stave off defeat. This week will be a huge opportunity for the Cardinals as they have favorable road trips at Hamline and St. Kate's that sandwich the big home game Wednesday night with UST. I think that, when you take a look at the top five teams in this conference, it just shows you how incredibly strong the MIAC truly is this year.
1. UST
2. (tie) GAC, Concordia, & CSB
3. SMU
4. Hamline
5. St. Olaf
6. Carleton
7. Augsburg
8. Bethel
9. Macalester
10. St. Kate's
Tommies remain in the top spot after convincing victories but this upcoming week will be a huge test as they have roadies at Concordia (tonight 1-21) and then down the River in Winona on Wednesday night. The Cobbers, meanwhile, got their act together by claiming not only a road win at Bethel but going into St. Peter and pulling off the upset against the Gusties. A heartbreaker for sure for GAC but they should presumably take care of business this week before another showdown at home with suddenly surging CSB next Saturday. The Blazers just continue to impress me with strong showings on the road this last week and they should also roll before the showdown with GAC next Saturday. As such, I've got a three-way logjam in the second spot for the moment. SMU got a huge scare on Saturday at Augsburg and had to go into an extra session to stave off defeat. This week will be a huge opportunity for the Cardinals as they have favorable road trips at Hamline and St. Kate's that sandwich the big home game Wednesday night with UST. I think that, when you take a look at the top five teams in this conference, it just shows you how incredibly strong the MIAC truly is this year.
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