WBB: Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

Ron Boerger · January 13, 2013, 06:46:13 PM

Looks like the conference championship may come down to Trinity and Southwestern, both 6-0 and with their first game against each other scheduled for the 19th in San Antonio.

Ron Boerger · January 19, 2013, 08:33:09 PM

... which Trinity wins, 86-74 in a game a bit closer than that. Anecia Richardson had 24 points and 10 board to lead the way for the homestanding Tigers. The teams will meet two more times before the conference tournament, in San Antonio on Feb 6th and in Georgetown on the 9th.

Ron Boerger · January 25, 2013, 06:22:12 PM

I'll continue talking to myself ... this week's Around The Nation talks about three coaches in their first season of leading a team, and one of which is Trinity's coach Cameron Hill. Thank you, Brian Falzarano!

http://www.d3hoops.com/columns/around-the-nation/2012-13/coaching-without-a-safety-net

Ralph Turner · January 25, 2013, 07:27:52 PM

Please consider your posts as reading material for the well-informed South Region fan...

Pat Coleman · January 25, 2013, 11:10:56 PM

Quote from: Ron Boerger on January 25, 2013, 06:22:12 PM
I'll continue talking to myself ... this week's Around The Nation talks about three coaches in their first season of leading a team, and one of which is Trinity's coach Cameron Hill. Thank you, Brian Falzarano!

http://www.d3hoops.com/columns/around-the-nation/2012-13/coaching-without-a-safety-net

Glad you tweeted so someone at Trinity actually noticed it.

Ron Boerger · January 26, 2013, 12:51:47 PM

Sorry for leaving the actual link to the article out of the tweet ... :-(

and, obtw, could you let the writer know that the SCAC does have an NCAA playoff bid this season? Could not find an email address for him, sent him a tweet, no response and the article still says there isn't a bid (unless there isn't, but I thought the SCAC had a couple of years to get back to seven teams and sufficient teams participating this year to retain the bid).

Ron Boerger · February 06, 2013, 11:45:07 AM

Round 2 (of 3) between the teams at the top of the SCAC is tonight at 6 at Trinity. Southwestern (16-5, 10-1 SCAC) has been very impressive since the two last met, racking up four straight wins by an average of 27 points. Against the same opponents, Trinity (17-4, 11-0 SCAC) also went 4-0 with an average MOV a hair under 14.

If Southwestern wins tonight, the conference regular season championship is likely determined Saturday in Georgetown, a game I plan to attend. Both teams have home games remaining versus Colorado College and UDallas. The conference tournament (and pool A bid) will be determined in Sherman the weekend after next. Don't know if either team has what it takes for a Pool C bid; at best, six or seven losses depending on the team and very mediocre SoS (right now, Trinity at 174 and Southwestern at 352). Guess the regional rankings (due this week?) might help clarify that situation.

It doesn't help that none of the other SCAC teams are .500, with Centenary and Colorado College combining for an 8-34 record. Centenary has one win outside of conference play (1-8), Colorado none (0-10).

Ron Boerger · February 07, 2013, 09:51:28 AM

Trinity gets another win to stay undefeated in conference, overcoming an early 12-point deficit to win 78-66. The Tigers were led by first-year Anecia Richardson's 26 points (on 11-of-18 shooting), 7 boards, and 3 steals, and senior Murphy Burns added 20, 9, and 5 steals. Southwestern got 23 points and 22 rebounds from Annie Bourne, the current SCAC player of the week. The win gives Trinity a two-game lead in the conference standings with three to play (one against Southwestern).

With neither team appearing in the first regional rankings, looks like the only route to the playoffs will be to win the AQ at the end of the month. Oddly, Trinity dropped to 251 in SOS after last night's win against the 16-6 Pirates.

Ron Boerger · February 09, 2013, 11:21:05 PM

Trinity makes it 3-0 against Southwestern, winning tonight in Georgetown 101-89.

Southwestern jumped out to an early lead that they maintained nearly the entire half, spurred by numerous offensive rebounds, Trinity turnovers, and an 11-5 edge in fouls called. Madison Eschle was hot early for the Lady Pirates hitting several threes on her way to 18 points on the night. Southwestern led 50-40 at the half.

The second half started with more of the same, with Trinity fighting foul problems to both Murphy Burns, who picked up her fourth five minutes into the second half, and Anecia Richardson, who had her third earlier in the second. Both went to the bench, but Hannah Coley kept the Tigers close, and when Burns and Richardson returned, the combination of strong play from all three was more than the home team could handle. Trinity outscored Southwestern 61-39 in the second half in running their record to 19-4, 13-0 SCAC while the Lady Pirates fell to 16-7, 10-3.

Coley had 33 points on 15-of-17 shooting; Burns had 28 on 10-of-18, and Richardson added 19 on 9-of-11. The 101 points scored by Trinity is second only to 109 in a overtime loss at La Verne earlier this season. The win clinches the top seed in the upcoming SCAC championships for Trinity.

Ron Boerger · February 13, 2013, 04:21:59 PM

Trinity (19-4 on the season) also makes its first appearance in the regional rankings in some time this week, at 7th in the South. Part of that comes from playing in a weaker SCAC, but even so the turnaround from last season's dreary 9-17 campaign and the previous year's 14-13 is a tribute not only to the players but to first-year coach Hill.

Ron Boerger · February 24, 2013, 03:12:36 PM

Trinity women run the table in the SCAC, winning today's conference championship 77-65 over Southwestern. They'll probably end up facing someone from the ASC, and that will probably be a road game at Louisiana College, in today's ASC championship game against upstart UT-Dallas. Howard Payne was above TU in last week's regional rankings but with a loss to UT-D last night (at home) are probably out of the playoff picture.

Trinity is likely hoping for the UT-D upset today; LC might get a pool C bid, but could stay ranked above Trinity (don't know if they would drop from 3rd to 6th with a loss), so the NCAA would send UT-D to San Antonio and LC would get someone flown in or maybe get the SAA champion (or are there any first round byes left?). And if LC doesn't get a bid TU would host.

Trinity has a road win at UT-D earlier this season. It's the first time since 2008 Trinity will play in the postseason. Don't know all the players but Coach Hill has to be in at least the regional CoTY conversation.

Ron Boerger · February 24, 2013, 07:09:05 PM

No, that's not right. Usually first and second rounds at one site which, even though UT-D did win today, may very well still end up being at LC. Duh.

Ralph Turner · February 24, 2013, 08:19:13 PM

Quote from: Ron Boerger on February 24, 2013, 07:09:05 PM
No, that's not right. Usually first and second rounds at one site which, even though UT-D did win today, may very well still end up being at LC. Duh.

All four teams can be bussed to a location. HPU to LC is under 500 miles.

The LC loss today might juggle the Regional Rankings.

Ron Boerger · February 24, 2013, 09:34:14 PM

Trinity's SOS is so bad I can't see LC falling that much. Would not break my heart if they did, obviously.

Ralph Turner · February 25, 2013, 12:05:25 AM

Quote from: Ron Boerger on February 24, 2013, 09:34:14 PM
Trinity's SOS is so bad I can't see LC falling that much. Would not break my heart if they did, obviously.

Common opponents?

Trinity is 1-0 versus UT-Dallas. LaCollege is 1-2.

The remainder of the records versus common opponents is roughly comparable.

Trinity has a split with HSU. LaCollege is 1-0.