WBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[JMM]

So my big question for someone in the know - did the video screens contribute to the Stout men upset of Whitewater? Don't get me wrong, looks like Stout men have a very, very good team - anyone have insight. Again, I maintain that if the video is on during the game (like it was in the woman Superior and Stout game) it interferes with play. Especially the play of visitors who are not use to the game being broadcasted right at them as they play.

[JMM]

RF had a nice win at Stout. Those pesky screens still hang in the corners of the court. I guess if teams aren't complaining - then I'm one with the problem. I thought stout is very improved from past few years. Third time I have seen RF play - they are getting better and better - I like this RF team. Looks like WW had no issue with SP. So as an EC fan, I suppose the WW and EC game will be very interesting. See EC lost to Pioneers. Looks from stats that EC is doing better. Also see Saar played more for EC. I will never figure out why Englund doesn't play her junior and seniors who are experienced and pretty good - seems like Tonja is always experimenting.. The team might be better served if she just let these players play. Once she played her seniors toward the end of last year, she started to win. Saar is to good to be sitting the bench for most of the game - especially given the gap between her and those getting much more playing time. Might be why EC is hardly drawing a crowd the past 2 seasons - it gets old when seniors and seasoned juniors don't play for "rebuilding purposes". Let 'em play Englund. My two cents as a 14 year EC supporter.

[badgerwarhawk]

The WARHAWKS/Point game was a little tighter than the final score suggests.  Initially the teams traded baskets and the lead until Point used a 13-1 run to go up 34-27 about thirteen minutes into the half.  The WARHAWKS gradually whittled the lead down and took a 42-41 lead into the locker room.  Both teams shot well, Point 53% including 6-10 three pointers and the WARHAWKS 49% (4-6 three pointers) and 12-16 free throws.  There were 11 leads changes in the first half.  The Pointers regained the lead immediately in the second half but never got any further ahead than five points.  The WARHAWKS finally took the lead for good, 65-64, at the nine and half minute mark when Kaitlyn Thill made her consecutive three pointers.  Point finished 57% from the floor and 8-14 from beyond the arc.  The WARHAWKS finished 49% including 7-11 three pointers.  Free throws were the deciding factor with the WARHAWKS connecting on nearly twice as many (21) as the Pointers shot (11).  Mary Merg had a big night 17 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals.  Thill finished with 16 points and 4 steals.  Riley Stewart (12) and Katie Burton (11) also scored in double figures.  Reserves Chelsea Smith (6 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal in 18 minutes) and Morgan Dalhke (5 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal in 23 minutes) had good nights off the bench against a bigger Pointer team. 

[badgerwarhawk]

So my big question for someone in the know - did the video screens contribute to the Stout men upset of Whitewater? Don't get me wrong, looks like Stout men have a very, very good team - anyone have insight. Again, I maintain that if the video is on during the game (like it was in the woman Superior and Stout game) it interferes with play. Especially the play of visitors who are not use to the game being broadcasted right at them as they play.

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you but last night was the first time I've seen Pat since you posted.  I'm afraid he doesn't see it you way.  He indicated to me that they were no big deal and he didn't feel they had any impact on the game.   We made enough mistakes ourselves to lose.  I haven't seen them personally so I can't offer any opinion. 

I would add that I have little doubt the first time a coach feels that they're a problem a call to the commissioner's office will follow. 

[Voice of the Titans]

A month with no chatter? Conference race looks to be tighter than ever. Big game with UWSP @ UWO tonight. Don't want to fall 2 games out.

[badgerwarhawk]

Nice win for the Titans.

WARHAWKS: 72
Platteville: 60

The WARHAWKS have added Kristin Ruchti to their roster.  Ruchti, a 6'2" senior, has been a member of the volleyball team and hasn't played basketball since high school.  Last night she finished with a double-double, 11 points 11 rebounds, in 19 minutes of play.  Andrea Olson's 18 points were a team high.  The WARHAWKS had five players finish with double figure points (Olson 18, Kaitlyn Thill 12, Ruchti 11, Abbie Reeves 11 and Mary Merg 10).  Thill added game highs of 5 assists and 4 steals.  The WARHAWKS out scored the Pioneers 36-17 off of turnovers.

Alyssa Krajco led the Pioneers with game highs of 24 points and 14 rebounds.  She's got game.

Last night's win ran the WARHAWKS winning streak against the Pioneers to 14. 

[badgerwarhawk]

WARHAWKS: 84
Superior: 79

Shooting poorly the WARHAWKS trailed by 19 points toward the end of the first half and despite a mini rally still trailed by 13 points, 45-32, when the half ended.  With one exception the Yellow Jackets maintained a double digit lead for the first 12 minutes of the second half and continued to lead until a Kristin Ruchti layup gave the WARHAWKS their first lead 71-70 with just under 3 1/2 minutes to play.  After that clutch shooting from the charity stripe (13 of 14) preserved the victory.  The WARHAWKS have won 26 of the last 27 meetings between the two teams. 

Amy Mandrell led all scorers with 26 points (18 in the second half) and finished a double-double with 12 rebounds.  Mary Merg added 11 points while both Kaitlyn Thill and Ruchti each scored 10 points.  Thill had a team high 6 assists.

Sally Linzmeier: 22 points, 7 rebounds, 11 assists, 2 blocks and 4 steals led the Yellow Jackets.   

[badgerwarhawk]

LaCrosse: 75
WARHAWKS: 84

The final score suggests the game was close but actually up to the last 6 minutes or so it was a blow out.  Initially the game stayed relatively close and the WARHAWKS lead with a couple of exceptions was in single digits for the first 16 minutes of the game.  A three-pointer by Abbie Reeves increased the lead to 11 points with 3 minutes remaining and it eventually grew to a high of 16 points before settling in at 14, 49-35, when the half ended.  The WARHAWKS increased the lead into the 20's in the first 4 minutes of the second half and it reached a high of 32 points twice before the Eagles made a 25-2 run to finish the final six minutes.  Mary Merg led four WARHAWKS in double figures with 13 points (19 minutes).  Abbie Reeves added 11 points (16 minutes) while Kaitlyn Thill (14 minutes) and Amy Mandrell (17 minutes) each scored 10 points.  Mandrell led the WARHAWKS with a game high 7 rebounds and Thill had a game high 5 steals. 

It was a long and ugly affair.  59 fouls were called and the two teams combined to shoot 71 free throws and committed a combined 53 turnovers.  Substitutes on both sides saw extended playing time and scored a combined 81 of the 159 total points scored.

[badgerwarhawk]

River Falls: 50
WARHAWKS: 96

The score was 18-17 WARHAWKS with 8:46 remaining in the half when the WARHAWKS went on a 32-3 run to finish the half ahead 50-20.  After the Falcons made the first basket of the second half the WARHAWKS  quickly ran the lead into the thirties and it stayed between the mid-thirties and forties for the second half.  Fifteen WARHAWKS scored points as the reserves saw extended playing time.  Kaitlyn Thill's 18 points led the way and Kristin Ruchti added 13.  As the score suggests the WARHAWKS dominated every statistical category.

[badgerwarhawk]

Platteville: 45
WARHAWKS: 72

Once again it was a significant run by the WARHAWKS over the last nine minutes of the first half that turned the tables and essentially ended the game.  With Platteville leading 16-14 five consecutive points scored by Katie Burton ignited the offense and the WARHAWKS picked up the pace and the pressure to finish the half on a 24-6 run and held a comfortable 38-22 half time lead.  The WARHAWKS lead hit twenty plus, 52-31, at the twelve minute mark of the second half and reached thirty twice before the game ended. 

Freshman Reilley Stewart led the WARHAWKS going 7-11 from the field including 4-8 from beyond the arc finishing with a season high 18 points.  Kaitlyn Thill added 11 points and a game high 4 assists as well as 9 rebounds.  Abbie Reeves finished with 10 points while Amy Mandrell's 11 rebounds were a game high.  The WARHAWKS pulled down 53 rebounds which included 17 off the offensive board which gave them a 17-4 scoring edge in second chance points and a deeper WARHAWKS bench outscored the Pioneers 30-10.

Alyssa Krajco led the Pioneers with a game high 20 points.   

[badgerwarhawk]

WARHAWKS: 81
Stout: 60

The score would suggest that the game was a blow out but that would be an inaccurate assessment of how it was played.  Stout took an early lead as the WARHAWKS missed their first five shots and were whistled for two player control fouls in the first three minutes.  Amy Mandrell's jumper got the WARHAWKS on the board and Mary Merg's free throw tied the score 6-6 at the 16 minute mark.  After the WARHAWKS went ahead for a while the Blue Devils regained the lead a couple of minutes later and held it for three minutes when a three-pointer by Abbie Reeves tied it and Riley Stewart's layup gave the WARHAWKS a lead 16-14 that they would increase to 11 points, 31-20, with just under five minutes remaining.  Stout finished the half with a 6-0 run cutting into the deficit and making the halftime score 31-26.  The WARHAWKS struggled from the field hitting just 31% of their shots but out scored the Blue Devils 7 to 1 from the charity stripe.  Kristin Ruchti came off the bench to lead the WARHAWKS with 7 points and Mandrell added 6 points and 8 rebounds.  Sami Schroeder had 7 points to lead the Blue Devils.  Mandrell scored the first basket of the second half but the Blue Devils stayed within single digits, getting within 4 points twice, in the first eight and half minutes.  The double digit lead didn't last long as the Blue Devils reduced it to four points once again a couple of minutes later but that is as close as they would get as the WARHAWKS finished the game with a 26-9 run. 

For the second time in a row the WARHAWKS were led in scoring by a bench player.  This time it was Ruchti who finished with a game high 17 points.  Kaitlyn Thill added 16 points and had a game high 7 steals.  Mandrell finished with a double-double 12 points and a game high 13 rebounds.  Katie Burton added 11 points and Mary Merg had 10 points and a game high 8 assists.   Bench points were the only thing that either team held a significant difference as, led by Ruchti, the WARHAWKS out scored the Blue Devils 26-8.

Schroeder (16), Katelynne Folkers (15) and Kleigh Hebert (10) led the Blue Devils.  Folkers added 10 rebounds to round out a double-double and also had 6 steals.

Earlier this year we discussed Stout's video board and this was my first chance to see it.  Admittedly it was limited by the tv broadcast and I only saw one side.  However I don't see how it could be as significant distraction as was previously asserted.  Any player who was distracted by looking at it would have to be going out of their way to watch it as it's position is in the corner and suspended well above the playing surface.  I just don't see it as a problem and it does add to and enhance the fan experience.  JMO

[badgerwarhawk]

WARHAWKS: 76
Pointers: 55

There were 3 lead changes and 2 ties in the first seven minutes of the game when a pair of free throws by Riley Stewart gave the WARHAWKS a 10-8 lead that they would hold for the remainder of the game.  The lead remained in single digits for the rest of the half reaching it's high of nine, 40-31, when Mary Merg's three-pointer was good with one second remaining.  Merg was 3-3 from beyond the arc and led all scorers with 11 points.  Amy Mandrell added 10 points and Morgan Dalhke pulled down 5 rebounds.  Myranda Tyler led the Pointers with 6 points.  The WARHAWKS opened the second half with a 7-0 run in the first two minutes pushing the lead to sixteen.  The Pointers closed the deficit to 12 points with thirteen and half minutes remaining but the WARHAWKS responed with a 10-2 run over the next six minutes putting them up by twenty one points 67-44.  The Pointers were never closer after that. 

Mandrell finished with game highs of 18 points and 7 rebounds.  Merg added 14 points and Kristin Ruchti 10 points.  Kaitlyn Thill's 6 assists and 2 steals were game highs.

Tyler's 14 points led the Pointers while Joann Wolfenberg chipped in with 10. 

[badgerwarhawk]

Superior: 73
WARHAWKS: 86

The game was really more competitive than the final score would suggest.  The first half was a see-saw affair with eight ties and four lead changes.  The WARHAWKS held the largest lead at six points, 31-25, with six and half minutes remaining in the half while the Yellow Jackets largest lead was four, 35-31, with about five minutes left.  Mary Merg's two free throws with twenty one seconds put the WARHAWKS on top 40-38 when the half ended.  The Yellow Jackets shot 52% from the floor to just 40% for the WARHAWKS but the WARHAWKS out scored the Yellow Jackets 7-3 from the charity stripe to hold the lead.  Amy Mandrell led all scorers with 14 points while Kaitlyn Thill added 10.  Sally Linzmeier paced Superior with 11 points.  Abbie Reeves started the second half with a three-pointer extending the WARHAWKS lead to five but the Yellow Jackets would respond and pull to within a single point 45-44 when Linzmeier scored six consecutive points.  However that is as close as they would get.  With three exceptions the WARHAWKS lead remained in single figures until Katie Burton's three-pointer made the score 76-65 with a little over four minutes left.   The lead reached it's high point of fourteen 82-68 with a pair of free throws by Thill and fifty eight seconds to be played. 

Mandrell led all scorers with 25 points and added 9 rebounds.  Thill also had 9 rebounds and contributed 17 points.  Burton (13) and Reeves (10) rounded out the double figure scorers for the WARHAWKS.  Thills 5 assists were a game high as were Kristin Ruchti's 10 rebounds and Reeves' 4 steals. 

Linzmeier led the Yellow Jackets with 23 points.   

[badgerwarhawk]

WARHAWKS: 83
LaCrosse: 68

The lead went back and forth with seven changes and three ties in the first ten minutes before the WARHAWKS took control scoring six straight to go up 22-16.  The Eagles would fight back to within a point, 22-21, but an 18-8 run capped by Riley Stewart's three-pointer gave the WARHAWKS a 40-29 lead at the half.  The WARHAWKS struggled from the field shooting only 28% from the floor but went 8-8 from the free throw line and hit six three-pointers to just two for the Eagles.  Turnovers were a significant factor in the lead as well with LaCrosse committing 14 to just 5 for the WARHAWKS giving them a 14-5 scoring advantage.  The Eagles would get to within ten points early in the second half and the WARHAWKS lead by as many as twenty two at the seven and half minute mark.

Katie Burton led four WARHAWKS who scored in double figures with 18 points going 4-4 from beyond the arc.  Kaitlyn Thill added 17 points and had game highs of 9 rebounds, 8 assists and 5 steals.  Stewart (12) and Amy Mandrell (11) rounded out the double figure scorers.  As a team the WARHAWKS connected on 24 of 28 free throws and pulled down 21 offensive rebounds.

LaCrosse was led by Erin Levenhagen (16) and Mallory Cramer (13). 

The win gave the WARHAWKS 20 wins for the seventh consecutive season and secured no worse than a share of the conference's regular season championship.   

[badgerwarhawk]

WARHAWKS: 64
Oshkosh: 46

The Titans led 9-3 in the opening minutes of the game but the WARHAWKS answered with a 12-2 run and maintained a lead for the rest of the game.  The Titans did pull to withing a pair 17-15 with seven and half minutes remaining in the half but once again the WARHAWKS responded with an 8-0 run and the half ended with the WARHAWKS in the lead by six 27-21.  Merg led all scorers with 12 points.  The WARHAWKS lead reached double figures fat the fourteen minute mark when Kaitlyn Thill's free throws made the score 35-24.  The Titans got to within 7 points with fifteen minutes but the WARHAWKS would go on a 23-8 scoring run over the next eight minutes to take their largest lead 54-32. 

Merg finished with a game high 18 points while  Kristin Ruchti added 14 points and Abbie Reeves chipped in with 10 points.  Ruchti and Amy Mandrell each pulled down 7 rebounds.  Kaitlyn Thill and Katie Burton each had 3 steals.  Thill now has 101 steals on the season.

The Titans shot a season low 25% from the floor.  Katelyn Kuehl and Kendell Truttman each scored 9 points to lead the Titans.  Marissa Selner pulled down a game high 12 rebounds. 

The win clinches the regular season conference championship and the #1 seed in the conference tournament.