University Athletic Association

sandman · February 12, 2006, 11:26:06 PM

Thanks for the standings update, Joel. Since I couldn't follow the 2nd half of the Case-Chicago game, I can merely comment on the boxscore.

This was exactly the kind of win the Case needed-- to end a six-game losing streak and salvage a rare road split vs. the Lady Maroons.

After Chicago led by 13 in the first half by their absolutely torrid shooting percentage, Case made a run to close within two. U of C extended their lead early in the 2nd half, but then Case took a six-point lead with some good 3-point shooting with 5:00 to go. However, Chicago scored the next ten points to lead 67-63 with 2:11 left. The Lady Spartans managed to tie it with 33 seconds to go, and they forced a turnover to get a chance to win it. However, they turned it over with five seconds left and fouled on the fast break. Alex Leach made one of two free throws to give Chicago the lead with three seconds left. Carmen Rowan rebounded the second shot and Case called timeout with one second left. Maria Jackson then took the inbounds pass and threw it to Ashley Horton at the right elbow, who banked in the game-winning shot at the buzzer!

Horton and Dana Dempsey both scored 13 points for Case, while Amber Hammell led the team with 17. For Chicago, Nofi Mojidi, Susie Gutowski, and Korry Schwanz scored 14, 12, and 11 points respectively.

Case now stands at 10-12 but now has some momentum going into their season-ending three-game homestand. Rochester looms ahead, but the other two teams Case has already beaten on the road. They Lady Spartans may yet finish with a winning record. As for Chicago, they now have six in-region losses and will probably have to win out (against three ranked teams, no less) to get a Pool C bid.

sandman · February 12, 2006, 11:33:22 PM

Here's a quick list of Case buzzer-beaters since I've followed the team:

16-Jan-01: Dawn Bialosky at Johns Hopkins (score was tied before the shot)

11-Feb-01: Erin Rogalski vs. Chicago (on Senior Day; with the score tied, she was fouled on a shot as time expired. She made the first free throw to win the game.)

27-Feb-02: "The Shot"-- Jasmine Rowan at Mt. St. Mary-- NCAA Tournament 1st Round (score was tied, but Case's captains had fouled out and the Lady Spartans would have, in all likelihood, lost in overtime if Rowan hadn't made the 30-footer.) Thanks to Pat for mentioning this one in the Daily Dose.

26-Feb-05: Ashley Horton at Emory (tied the score at the end of regulation; she was fouled but missed the FT, but then Case won in overtime)

12-Feb-06: Ashley Horton at Chicago (trailed by 1 before the shot)

Pat Coleman · February 13, 2006, 01:48:43 AM

Sandman,

Post that on the blog too, if you would. (Requires separate registration, unfortunately.) Good list of shots.

spiritof86 · February 13, 2006, 09:59:38 AM

Hey all- Attended the WUSTL/Emory game yesterday. The first half, in which the game was decided, was a case of the Lady bears playing very well, and Emory looking lost in the offensive set. They did not help themselves out at all- they missed 6-8 shots from 8ft in. Wustl did what they will need to do to progress in the tourney- they made open shots, they pounded the low block on offense, they moved the ball well. Great effort. This team frustrates the heck out of me when they refuse to block out though. Against NYU it lost them the game, and vs Maryville it made them look so sloooooooow. If they rebound, I feel they can defeat any team in the nation.

I also feel that in close tourney-type games, they need to have manning bring the ball up the court. She disappears way to much for such a high-caliber player.

jagluski · February 13, 2006, 11:29:19 AM

Quote from: spiritof86 on February 13, 2006, 09:59:38 AM
I also feel that in close tourney-type games, they need to have manning bring the ball up the court. She disappears way to much for such a high-caliber player.

I agree. I don't think she needs to bring the ball up the court, but in all the years I've watched Kelly, she's seemed to be more of a second-half type player, where she takes over the game then. Admittedly, it doesn't matter in games like yesterday.

Although, with Danielle Beehler establishing a post presence early, Manning's early scoring isn't as important(except for games like Rochester when they trailed by double-digits in the first half). This is the first year in a while I think we've had other girls who can take some of the scoring load off Manning.

Wydown Blvd. · February 13, 2006, 01:15:49 PM

Quote from: spiritof86 on February 13, 2006, 09:59:38 AM
If they rebound, I feel they can defeat any team in the nation.

I also feel that in close tourney-type games, they need to have manning bring the ball up the court. She disappears way to much for such a high-caliber player.

I definately agree with the rebounding. Wash U. is such a fast break based team that without rebounding, the slower-pased game is not in their favor. Wash U. runs so that they can get to their opponents bench.

I disagree that Manning needs to bring the ball up the court. Wash U. runs even after their opponent scores so it is more important for the two wings to run and cross to begin their fast break. Manning bringing the ball up the court would dilute their offense especially because she runs off screens with a reggie miller like style. Manning was in foul trouble vs. Rochester, and vs. NYU there were opportunities for other players to step up in the first half but their shots just weren't falling, and vs. Maryville it was just ugly.

Manning's first half scoring - 9, 8, 8, 18, 10, 11, 16, 22, 25, 18, 4,10, 14, 9, 5, 10, 7, 7, 10, 3, 5, 5

Pretty consistent first halves with the exception of Maryville (she finished with 21 points), NYU (finished with 22 points) and Rochester (she finished with 19 points).

Boxing out vs. NYU did not cost Wash U. the game in second chance points.
2nd chance points-NYU 17,WASHU 14
Instead, Wash U was simply unable to run their fast break.
Fast break points-NYU 10,WASHU 0.

Big weekend for the Bears coming up though with Brandeis and NYU.

Wydown Blvd. · February 13, 2006, 01:19:31 PM

hmm, yeah I am a rookie, could not figure out how to work bolded text....lol

bearsfan · February 13, 2006, 01:42:46 PM

Yea. I have to agree that having Manning bring the ball up is not the best of ideas. She's one of the fastest players on the court anytime she steps out there and always having defenses respect her ability to explode down the court for layups is what allows the Bears break to work so well.
I think the Bears are in very good shape bringing the ball up. Sarah Schell is a very capable point guard who seldom has the ball taken in the backcourt and is one of the best passers in Bear's history(as her pace to break the assist record by midway of senior season shows) and back-up Shanna Lei Dacanay is a phenomnal dribbler with incredible quickness. Anyone who has seen her last few apparances can see her abilities. Any guard who can dribble through a triple team can bring the ball up the court in any situation.
I think the main factor for the Bears in tight games has been the fact that when teams mark Kelly with a fast player like NYU and Maryville did, other players have to step up. Those two games, that didn't happen and alot of easy shots were missed but on most other occasions, players like Beehler, Parker, Schell, Dacany, Benson, and McFarlin are all capable of taking over a game and each has done so at some point this season.
The main factor in if the Bears can go all the way is going to come down to how they are shooting from the field and their free throw shooting. In the games they have lost, it has been abysmal shooting from the field and charity stripe that have doomed the Bears and not how much Kelly Manning scored. As BlakcMajikc pointed out, Kelly had 20+ in both losses just like almost every other game this season.

jagluski · February 13, 2006, 06:51:40 PM

New Top 25

#3 Wash U
#12 Brandeis
#20 NYU

Rochester would be #26

spiritof86 · February 14, 2006, 10:18:34 AM

OK, I admit that Manning bringing the ball up may not be the best idea, but i do think they need to make an effort to get her consistantly more involved. She works so hard to get open and half the time they do not even look for her. I like the Reggie Miller comparison- I can see her coming around a screen just like Miller did.

I also appreciate the point on free-throws. Sounds simple, but can make all the difference. Over the last 4 years, it seems that we have seen the bears lose out in games that were winnable, save for a few crucial errors. Free throws have been one of those things. Missed "gimmes" vs NYU lost the game for them as well.

I was very impressed with Schell on Sunday, as I was with the young pg. It will come down to someone stepping up besides Manning, and I think that it has to be Behler or Parker.

bearsfan · February 14, 2006, 10:47:00 AM

Yea, Spirit, I totally agree they have to get Manning more involved in those close games. I think Kelly is able to get more involved in games where the inside presence of Beehler, Parker, McFarlin is felt. When the posts are playing well, I've noticed Kelly gets alot more open looks on post reaction.

The dribble penetration of Schell and Dacanay also really help in getting Kelly more looks. It's seemed lately like Schell, Dacanay, and Benson have started looking to be more of a scoring threat which I think will benefit Kelly as well.

I agree though that it is going to have to be solid post play that will have to be present in the big games if the Bears are going to be competitive for the championship.

Wydown Blvd. · February 14, 2006, 11:03:04 AM

Any newcomer of the year candidates yet?

Turner of Emory
Porter of Rochester?

bearsfan · February 14, 2006, 11:39:53 AM

I would have to say those are the two leading candidates. I think at this point I would go with Porter but these last 3 games could really have a big impact on that. I think the biggest thing going for these two is the difference they seem to have made in their teams current performance(both teams are above their preseason conference rankings).

I think you have to give consideration to players like Roll of CMU, McEntee of NYU and Decanay of Wash U(who has been the definition of a point guard in her minutes played-5th in UAA in assists, 2nd in assist-to-turnover ratio, and 14th in steals).

Still I think Porter and Turner are just a few steps ahead right now. Lets see what the second pack can do in these last three games to close the conference season. Maybe we will have a dark horse candidate come on strong to finish out the season.

jagluski · February 14, 2006, 12:26:05 PM

Quote from: BlakcMajikc on February 14, 2006, 11:03:04 AM
Any newcomer of the year candidates yet?

Turner of Emory
Porter of Rochester?

Dacanay or McFarlin should win this award unless they split the vote.

bearsfan · February 14, 2006, 12:49:38 PM

I agree with you Joel from having watched them play all season and seeing the others when they've gone up against us. Not sure how the votings gonna go though which is why I think it will be Porter or Turner. The Bears have three big games left so hopefully McFarlin and Decanay will finish strong and make their case. They have both played very well the last couple of games and seem to finally be coming out on their own.