WBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[iwu70]

@Shirk @halftime, IWU 43, NCC 29.  Shanks and Sosa with 14 each.

'70

[GoPerry]

I'm just wondering if the Millikin AD or SID are aware that the online webcast time and score are annoyingly constantly out of sync with the videocast time and score?  They're both shown side by side- One show 50-52 while the other shows 52-54?  I've noticed it other games too. 

However, watching Jordan Hildebrand and Jayla Johnson battling each other down in the blocks is worth the price of admission.  Really going at it.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Final in B'town: IWU 90, NCC 63.  The Titans started off 16-4.  The Cards cut it to single digits a few times in the first half, but this game was never in doubt.  Sydney Shanks had 25, Kendall Sosa 22.

[iwu70]

Yes, IWU going out on a winning note for their final home game at The Shirk, this regular season.

IWU:
Shanks with a career night, likely her last game at The Shirk:  25 with 9 steals. A great way to go out.
Sosa 22, getting closer to the CCIW scoring title.
Munroe 10
Brovelli 8 and 6
Eck 8
Lowis 8

For NCC:
Braun 23
Dimitrova 13
Pearson 11

Gotta keep winning, still hope for the #2 seed in the tournament.  Would make a big difference.

Congrats to Sydney Shanks on her wonderful, consistent career at IWU.  IWU's only senior, will be greatly missed next year. 

IWU at 16-8, 10-5.

'70

[GoPerry]

Wheaton 71 Carroll 54

Hannah Frazier      18 pts, 6 rebs, 5 asst, 4 blks
Hannah Williams    18 pts, 6 asst
Kristi Demski          9 pts, 3-5 three

Alyssa Cruz            10 pts, 6 rebs
Kayla Stefka           14 pts, 3 rebs

After a terrible 2nd quarter where the Thunder scored only 6 pts, the Lady Pios held a 30-27 lead.  But Wheaton came out hot in the 3rd, outscored Carroll 29-8 and cruised to a 71-54 victory.  You don't like seeing any 10 minute lay downs like that.  But the Thunder righted the ship with lots of defensive intensity in the second half.

This coupled with the NPU loss means Wheaton clinches at least a regular season tie for first and will host the conference tournament.

[RogK]

wow ... 9 steals by Shanks ... outstanding

[Mr. Ypsi]

And mercifully, Anna Lowis only shot one FT - she bricked it, of course.   I just don't understand how a player can be 4 for 5 from the field, yet be a TWENTY-FIVE % FT shooter.  How long until conference opponents start adopting 'Hack-a-Shaq' as the defense against her?  I really like her game otherwise, but I'd prescribe a minimum of 100 FTs per day every day of the off-season!

[Gregory Sager]

Millikin 82
North Park 68

Jayla Johnson: 21 pts, 8 rebs
Zakiya Newsome: 16 pts
Lauryn Alba Garner: 3:0 a:to

Aubrey Staton: 14 pts
Abbie Ratsch: 11 pts
Briana Anthony: 11 pts, 4:2 a:to
Jordan Hildebrand: 11 pts, 3stls
Bailey Coffman: 11 pts
Kelle Knopp: 10 pts

The Vikings had an 18-6 lead at the end of the first quarter and a nine-point lead at the half -- and then just collapsed.

Glad I was calling the men's game, 'cause that second half in Decatur tonight would've been just too painful for me to watch.

Still a whole lot to play for, so the Vikings ladies can't afford to lose heart, but the dream of NPU winning its first CCIW title in 32 years probably died tonight.

[GoPerry]

Carthage loses at home to Elmhurst 75-73.  EC's Sophia Lathe has been finishing strong for the BlueJays  and came away with 24 pts to lead Elmhurst.  Carthage got 16 pts from Maggie Berigan and 15 from Sammie Woodward.  Lady Reds miss a chance to get into a tie for the 6th spot but still remain a game out with one to play.

With North Central and Carthage both losing tonight, I think Augustana has clinched a spot as either the 5th or 6th seed depending on Sat results.

On Saturday, an NCC win @ Wheaton will clinch their spot as either 5 or 6 seed.  A Carthage win vs Ill Wesleyan and a NCC loss @ Wheaton means both will finish 7-9 having gone 0-2 vs WC and 1-1 vs NPU.  So Carthage will get the tie-breaker by virtue of their 1-1 record vs IWU or Millikin(depending who finishes 3rd/4th) and NCC's 0-2 record vs both. 

[GoPerry]

Millikin 82
North Park 68

Jayla Johnson: 21 pts, 8 rebs
Zakiya Newsome: 16 pts
Lauryn Alba Garner: 3:0 a:to

Aubrey Staton: 14 pts
Abbie Ratsch: 11 pts
Briana Anthony: 11 pts, 4:2 a:to
Jordan Hildebrand: 11 pts, 3stls
Bailey Coffman: 11 pts
Kelle Knopp: 10 pts

The Vikings had an 18-6 lead at the end of the first quarter and a nine-point lead at the half -- and then just collapsed.

Glad I was calling the men's game, 'cause that second half in Decatur tonight would've been just too painful for me to watch.

Still a whole lot of play for, so the Vikings ladies can't afford to lose heart, but the dream of NPU winning its first CCIW title in 32 years probably died tonight.

This was quite the game.  I can't help thinking that these two teams will be battling with IWU next two years for the title. 

Jayla Johnson is really a skilled scorer in the paint.  And when paired with Newsome driving and dishing and other Lady Vikes, they are a tough team to stop.

Millikin with a full season under the belts of freshmen Bailey Coffman, Abby Ratsch and Miranda Fox along with Aubrey Staton and Jordan Hildebrand - the Big Blue will have as strong and balanced a lineup as any team.  They have loads of talent.

[Gregory Sager]

This was quite the game.  I can't help thinking that these two teams will be battling with IWU next two years for the title. 

Jayla Johnson is really a skilled scorer in the paint.  And when paired with Newsome driving and dishing and other Lady Vikes, they are a tough team to stop.

True ... but NPU absolutely has to get another scorer. Jayla's been asked to carry too much of the load on offense. She's averaging 16.5 ppg, and Emily Czuhajewski, the second-leading scorer, is averaging barely half that at 8.5 ppg. Zakiya Newsome is a great player in her own right who brings a lot to the table in several different phases of the game, but she's not a natural bucket-filler. When the Vikings have to lean on her for points, she tends to force things too much. She's at her best when she can simply score here or there within the natural flow of the game while doing all of the other things she does.

By hook or by crook, Amanda and Annie have to bring in another player for next year who can fill it up. Two more scorers would be even better.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Millikin 82
North Park 68

Jayla Johnson: 21 pts, 8 rebs
Zakiya Newsome: 16 pts
Lauryn Alba Garner: 3:0 a:to

Aubrey Staton: 14 pts
Abbie Ratsch: 11 pts
Briana Anthony: 11 pts, 4:2 a:to
Jordan Hildebrand: 11 pts, 3stls
Bailey Coffman: 11 pts
Kelle Knopp: 10 pts

The Vikings had an 18-6 lead at the end of the first quarter and a nine-point lead at the half -- and then just collapsed.

Glad I was calling the men's game, 'cause that second half in Decatur tonight would've been just too painful for me to watch.

Still a whole lot of play for, so the Vikings ladies can't afford to lose heart, but the dream of NPU winning its first CCIW title in 32 years probably died tonight.

This was quite the game.  I can't help thinking that these two teams will be battling with IWU next two years for the title. 

Jayla Johnson is really a skilled scorer in the paint.  And when paired with Newsome driving and dishing and other Lady Vikes, they are a tough team to stop.

Millikin with a full season under the belts of freshmen Bailey Coffman, Abby Ratsch and Miranda Fox along with Aubrey Staton and Jordan Hildebrand - the Big Blue will have as strong and balanced a lineup as any team.  They have loads of talent.

Not to mention Coach Olivia Lett becoming a veteran.  IF NPU can recruit one or more scorers to support Jayla Johnson, they will definitely be in the mix.  Otherwise my ridiculously early forecast for 2020-2021 is 1. IWU 2. Millikin 3. NPU.  (And I NEVER totally discount Wheaton - they graduate practically the whole team, but generally reload, not rebuild.)

[RogK]

Elmhurst completed its rather injury-plagued season on a positive note, winning 3 of the last 4, ending 5-11 in conference play. They were 5-4 in nonconference action.
That was a sharp game by Sophia Lathe, making 4/4 2FG, 4/8 3FG and 4/5 FT. The 20 of her 24 pts that came via 12 FG att add up to an .833 eFG%. Kween Jean also shot well, making 4/5 2FGs and 5/6 FTs in 22:00.
I think Elmhurst earns 1 all-CCIW spot, but am not certain whom Coach Carrillo will nominate. Courtney O'Donnell and Kween Jean ended with similar scoring (10.4 , 11.1) and reb averages (6.1 , 6.6). Neither made a three, so eFG% is not involved. The FG% were .506 for O'Donnell and .431 for Jean. Jean was more turnover-prone, but may have been the better defender (maybe, I don't have a strong opinion there).
As I've stated before, I'd additionally consider Kelly Weyhrich, whose energy I admire, plus she's a talented ball distributor and dribbler. Only 33 turnovers in 508:00. Greg has observed that she missed their first ten games due to injury. Her 27 steals in 15 games was a pretty good ratio.

[Ultimate Titan Fan]

And mercifully, Anna Lowis only shot one FT - she bricked it, of course.   I just don't understand how a player can be 4 for 5 from the field, yet be a TWENTY-FIVE % FT shooter.  How long until conference opponents start adopting 'Hack-a-Shaq' as the defense against her?  I really like her game otherwise, but I'd prescribe a minimum of 100 FTs per day every day of the off-season!

Do you mean Riley? Because this exact comment can be applied to her too.

[lmitzel]

With North Central and Carthage both losing tonight, I think Augustana has clinched a spot as either the 5th or 6th seed depending on Sat results.

On Saturday, an NCC win @ Wheaton will clinch their spot as either 5 or 6 seed.  A Carthage win vs Ill Wesleyan and a NCC loss @ Wheaton means both will finish 7-9 having gone 0-2 vs WC and 1-1 vs NPU.  So Carthage will get the tie-breaker by virtue of their 1-1 record vs IWU or Millikin(depending who finishes 3rd/4th) and NCC's 0-2 record vs both.

No, Augie and NCC are tied at 7-8, and the Cardinals have the tiebreaker due to a head-to-head sweep. In a three-way tie at 7-9, NCC and Carthage would get in due to head-to-head (NCC 3-1, Carthage 2-2, Augie 1-3), though I don't know if they'd rebreak the tie between NCC and Carthage for seeding (which I'm pretty sure as mentioned above would go to the Lady Reds). Based on this if I read it right, NCC gets the 5 seed with a win at Wheaton (something that's long overdue), and can make the tournament as the 6 seed if either Augie or Carthage lose. If both lose, NCC still gets the 5 seed.