WBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[RogK]

Fair enough, billys. I just think all teams start the season even.
And we shouldn't diminish any players or coaches in advance. Certain teams probably realize they have an uphill course in front of them, but I wish them optimism and the ability to have fun as the season progresses.
In CCIW action, Elmhurst got past Ohio Wesleyan 64-54. Megan Ney had 22 (8/11, 6/6) and 11 reb, while Meghan Merklein added 21 and 12.

[Hoosier Titan]

It was a real barn-burner at the Shirk Center Saturday afternoon.  The IWU Titans managed to outlast the Maroons of the University of Chicago 76-75 in overtime.  Hope Schulte scored five of the Titans' eight points in the OT period, while Nikki Preston added the other three.  Schulte's hoop with 8 seconds on the clock gave the Titans the win.

The Titans were slow out of the gates, and Chicago led for the first five minutes or so.  Then the defense tightened up, and the IWU lead reached 11 at one point in the first half.  In the second half the Maroons pulled back slowly, tying the score with about 5 minutes to go.  The game had four lead changes and seven ties.

IWU junior point guard Brittany Hasselbring had a career-high 14 points, all in the first half.  She looked very comfortable shooting the ball.    Sophomore Melissa Gardner scored 12, all on 3's, and Olivia Lett had 11 points and led the Titans in both rebounds (7) and assists (6).  All of Lett's points came in the second half.  Stacey Arlis had 10 points.

For the Maroons, Morgan Herrick had 23 points and 10 rebounds.  The Maroons outrebounded the Titans 48-35.  Chicago's leading scorer Bryanne Halfhill was held to 5 points.

A good outing for the Titans over an always-tough opponent.

[RogK]

I saw Wheaton's 65-49 win over UW-Oshkosh.
Oshkosh spent the early part of the game trying to force the ball into the low post, but Wheaton's good interior defense prevented any success. Annie Bowen was particularly active and strong.
The Thunder grabbed an early lead and never trailed. Bowen also did well on offense with 15 pts (5/8, 5/6) and added 8 rebs. Lindsey Brenneman topped Wheaton with 19 pts, matched by 19 from Oshkosh's Michelle Boeder (8/9 FG with 3 threes). I was a bit mystified why Boeder didn't get the ball more. And I was further mystified that Oshkosh did not accelerate the game when down double digits with 5 or 6 minutes to go.

[RogK]

Looking at the other CCIW weekend results:
Jenny Swanson made a game-winning three as North Central beat Dubuque 49-47 (that's a good half-time score).
Heather Gilmore had 19 pts, 5 steals, 5 assists, 7 rebounds as Carthage (6-0) beat Robert Morris Chicago 64-62. Diana Jacklin blocked 6 of the other team's shots. Cailee Corcoran scored 15 in her 22:00.
Elmhurst fell to Wash U 61-36.
Augustana topped Robert Morris Springfield 78-65. Natalie Runge had 15 and 9, while teammate Molly Etheridge scored 13 in 18:00.

[RogK]

Congratulations to Jenny Swanson, CCIW player of the week!

[RogK]

Illinois Wesleyan opened with a 10-0 burst last evening and defeated NAIA St Francis, 76-59.
Stacey Arlis tallied 14 pts, 9 reb, 5 assists. Nikki Preston and Olivia Lett also scored 14. Hope Schulte and Lexi Baltes each had four steals. IWU induced 34 turnovers by St Francis.
IWU has UW-SP next.
After that, they will have a 5:00 start on Monday at Olivet Nazarene; this will be the battle of the pressing/trapping teams. If any other CCIW coaches/players have a possible interest in pressing and causing turnovers, this is the game to see it in full, energetic use.
Carthage and North Park have games that night. And, I wouldn't suggest that anyone come all the way from Millikin or Augie, but maybe someone from Elmhurst, Wheaton (which has already employed a semi-aggressive press occasionally this year) and North Central would consider attending.
(plus, it's a chance to scout IWU)
If so, allow plenty of time to get to Bourbonnais, as it is an early start.
I admit that pressing isn't for everyone; you need a lot of athletes to shuttle in and out (to avoid exhaustion). But, I think it's an aspect of the game that has been severely underused in the CCIW.

[RogK]

Isn't anyone going to tell me to shut up about pressing and go try coaching?

[Wydown Blvd.]

I was thinking it...but now Ill say it. Shut up about pressing, lol 

[RogK]

Very good, sir. I'll try to withstrain myself. Perhaps I'll switch to telepathy.

[Mr. Ypsi]

I was going to respond "no one has told you to shut up because no one is reading your posts anymore", but that would be both rude and untrue!

As a Titan, I obviously have nothing against pressing.   I'm just disappointed that it has so far not yielded a title (or even a FF appearance).  Despite losing Christina, and the sub-par start to the season, perhaps THIS is the year we remember to show up at our own final four!

[RogK]

I don't mind snide retorts, Mr Ypsi! Your line was a good insult and made me laugh.
It's true that IWU hasn't made the Final Four, but 95 pct of the teams that play half-court ball don't make the FF either. I hope, if IWU does make it to the Finals, that they stick with "what brung 'em there."

[Mr. Ypsi]

I don't mind snide retorts, Mr Ypsi! Your line was a good insult and made me laugh.
It's true that IWU hasn't made the Final Four, but 95 pct of the teams that play half-court ball don't make the FF either. I hope, if IWU does make it to the Finals, that they stick with "what brung 'em there."

I would be totally shocked if they changed their style at that point.  I just hope there IS a 'that point'!

[Gregory Sager]

North Park defeated Benedictine tonight in Lisle, 69-59. NPU was paced by Roxxanne Jones, who had 17 points and 8 rebounds; Sarah Peterson, who finished the night with 14 points and 10 rebounds; and Lyndsey Thompson, who chipped in 12 points and 7 rebounds. Torey Walker had 9 points and 7 rebounds as well.

Antoinette Collman of the Vikings took a nasty spill late in the second half and had to be helped to the bench after clutching her leg. I sure hope that she's OK; NPU has been absolutely snakebit by serious leg injuries this year -- Kamauria Acree, Hillary Kuhl, and Bridgette Gray are all sidelined for the year with various injuries -- and they certainly don't need another one.

The Vikings up their record to 4-3, and will next take on Trinity International (7-6) on Thursday evening.

[Wydown Blvd.]

Very good, sir. I'll try to withstrain myself. Perhaps I'll switch to telepathy.

"Very good ma'am" please.  Thanks.

[WUPHF]

I would be totally shocked if they changed their style at that point. 

I am curious, are you blaming the approach to defense for the losses?  And, there is nothing snide about my question.  I am simply curious.

It looks like Olivet has a live webcast of the game on Monday.  I will have to mark that on my calendar: http://client.stretchinternet.com/client/olivet.portal#