WBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Gregory Sager]

North Park lost the opener of the Colorado College tourney to Luther, 78-72, a game that the Vikings clearly blew. They led for the entire contest up until early in the fourth quarter, with the margin getting as big as 16 but trending mostly in the 9-to-12 range. However, after a good first half of rebounding the Vikes were absolutely killed on the boards in the second half. All of those second-chance opportunities, plus the fact that the Vikes bigs allowed their Norse counterparts to set up too close to the basket, allowed a patient Luther team to climb back into it and eventually take control down the stretch in the fourth quarter. It was still only a two-point deficit with a half-minute left, but, as was the case at Augustana, NPU did not play a solid endgame.

The other problem was shot selection. Waaay too much chucking by the Vikes, who attempted a whopping 31 treys and only hit nine of them. The problem there was that they hit a few early and seemed to fall in love with the long-distance approach. As a result, they only got to the line 14 times during the game. By contrast, Luther made hay at the FT line, going 18-21.

Liz Rehberger had 27 and 8 to lead the Vikings, while Amani Davis scored 10 points. Gabby Sandoval also had eight rebounds for the Park.

[GoPerry]

For the 2nd straight day, the Thunder must contend with the Banana Slugs . . .

It's been almost 3 weeks since Wheaton played its last game, a road loss to Oshkosh.  Let's hope the beautiful SoCal weather doesn't prevent the Thunder ladies from coming out ready to play this afternoon.  I suspect Ellie Zeller's return to the lineup should be happening any day now – perhaps during this trip and I would also like to see Chantal Meacham find her much needed shooting stroke after a rather slow start.  Today and tomorrow's game(Whitworth) are expected wins and if successful, 2-0 will be a welcome resumption of play prior to a week of tough matchups @ Augie and @IWU to begin the new year.

Well, I was looking forward to watching this game Wheaton vs UC Santa Cruz at the Whittier tournament.  But on principle, I'm not sure I can bring myself to paying $5 for the stretchinternet  privilege.  Is it the Whittier athletic dept that decides to charge for the webstream?  (and will they make it free if the game sells out a la Bill Wirtz)? C'mon folks.  I'm hoping livestats is complimentary.

[Gregory Sager]

They're still raising money to build that Richard Nixon statue outside the Graham Athletic Center.

[RogK]

Just back from seeing North Central's 99-88 (if I recall the final correctly) loss to NAIA Concordia Ann Arbor.
The only thing I really don't want to happen at a game is injury. Unfortunately Paula Zerante and Mayson Whipple suffered painful leg injuries today.
These are two of our best competitors in the CCIW. Here's wishing a quick recovery to each.

[Gregory Sager]

Hear, hear, Rog.

[iwu70]

RogK, very sorry to hear that.  I love Whipple's game. Hope both are OK, not serious injuries.

Bad day for the Titans -- both men and women -- men lose in Staten Island on a last second shot, going down to a very fine Middlebury team, 77-75.  Details on the other Board.

Women lose to #4 ranked, defending national champs, Thomas More, 77-70.  Neither team could buy a trey, with both under 20% on the day.  Both Ehresman and McGraw struggling from the arc.  Titans gave them a pretty good game, but just too much overall balance by TMC.   No Sydney Moss, but they still have a very good team.  They are now 10-0 and Titans 5-5.

One more game in Ohio tomorrow for the Titans, before returning to CCIW play vs. MU in early January.

[RogK]

In that game I saw, Mayson Whipple tallied 20 in 12 min. Siarra O'Neil added 14 and Caroline Heimerdinger 13, career highs per the Cardinals' site.
Wheaton topped UC Santa Cruz 79-47, thanks in part to 23 pts by Katie McDaniels and 14 rebs by Devin Kyler. Jenn Berg and Ellie Zeller returned from injury. Zeller scored an efficient 7 pts in 14 min. Berg got in for just a minute.
Carthage topped Stevenson 71-59. Bailey Gilbert, Morgan Harris and Autumn Kalis all scored in the 13-14 pt range. A new guard appeared for the Lady Reds, Sammie Woodward. Carthage's site mentions that she earned all-state honors in Wisconsin high school last year. Sounds good.
Augie lost to Berea 95-89. Six Vikings scored in double figures, led by Kaycee Kallenberger with 16; she also had 7 blocks and 12 rebs. Augie's downfall could be attributed to Berea's effective FG pct of .586 : 31/64 including 13 threes (so 37.5/64).
IWU may have lost, but they've played well versus some difficult opponents. I'm not in favor of rewarding scheduling when it comes to ranking teams, but the experience acquired by the Titans so far should make them an even better squad going forward.

[RogK]

Some afternoon results :
Carthage 76-45 over Allegheny. Madie Kaelber 20 pts on 12 shots, very good rebounding by Morgan Harris (12 in 21:00) and Maggie Berigan (10 in 16:00).
Millikin 84, St Mary's IN 44. The Big Blue won the 2nd Q, 24-2. Shannon Propst (6') debuted with 13 pts and 11 rebs in 11 minutes. Not sure if she's a new arrival or if she maybe was playing JV.

[iwu70]

Here we go for the rest of the CCIW season.  Should be a good race.

Happy New Year all, already New Year's eve in Hong Kong! 

IWU70

[RogK]

Thanks, iwu70. Unto you as well.

[Gregory Sager]

North Park topped Colorado College, 63-43, in a rather uninspired contest for third place in the Tigers' home tourney. Liz Rehberger scored 21 and had four assists and four steals (Shaylee Sloan had four steals as well), and Amani Davis had 10 points, 7 rebounds, and three steals.

[iwu70]

IWU gets a great come-from-behind, confidence boosting win over Wilmington, 83-78.  Titans down 9 with about 4 minutes to go came storming back, after having a 16 pt. first half lead. 

Ehresman 18 and 6, NO TOs
Kelly 17
McGraw 14
Schneider 9
Merritt 7 and 9 rebs

For WC:
Britanny Jefferson 21
Mackensie Campbell 21

When the TITANS shoot the ball well, they can beat some very good teams.  Today 46%, 42% from treyland, 81% FTs. 

Titans finish the tough tough non-conference portion at 6-5.  Still not sure playing this tough a schedule is really good for any chance to get into the Dance in March.  Pretty sure they have to win the AQ or lose less than 3 games in the rest of the conference season.  SOS is there, but losses are losses, as several have pointed out.  Looks like about 17-8 to me, unless they have a more dominant run in conference play.  Hard to do.  They are toughened and ready, but the conference grind and many strong opponents are there too.

IWU'70

[RogK]

Augustana absorbed loss #2, 78-76 to the U of Dubuque. Corrie Reiley shot very well, scoring 17 on 12 FG att.
Wheaton bested Whitworth 75-53. Devin Kyler was rather good : 16 pts (8/11 FG), 11 rebs, 3 stls, 5 blocks. As if that wasn't enough, she also persuaded Coach Madsen to allow players to use their phones while seated on the bench, as well as on the court during free throws. This seems like a fair compromise.

[Gregory Sager]

Augustana absorbed loss #2, 78-76 to the U of Dubuque. Corrie Reiley shot very well, scoring 17 on 12 FG att.

That's interesting, as those two non-conference foes had met back in November. In fact, I watched it in person in the Dubuque gym, since the Dubuque men's team hosted the NPU men after the female version of the Spartans had played, and I traveled with the Vikings to broadcast it. Augie won that first meeting, 100-80, so I'm not only surprised that they played a second time, I'm also surprised at the outcome.

[RogK]

By the way, Greg, how much have you contributed toward the Nixon statue that you mentioned recently?
Hey Imitzel, let us know if you can how Paula Z and Mayson W are doing.
Overall the CCIW is 48-27 in nonconference play, with 4 or 5 games to go. If we disregard Carroll's rough start, the composite becomes 48-19.