WBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Gregory Sager]

Vikings came back down to earth today, dropping their first loss of the season, 57-49, at Carroll. Jayla Johnson led the way for the Vikings with 21 points and 8 rebounds, but she didn't get enough offensive help; no other Vikings had more than eight points, and the non-Jayla contingent shot 9-35 from the field. Josie Summerville chipped in nine boards for NPU. Carroll was led by Brooke Foster and Elizabeth Behrendt with 12 apiece, Behrendt adding a dozen boards as well, and Theresa Wichser with 11 points.

[Roundball999]

NCC's IxChel Leeuwenburgh grabbed 16 rebounds in 19:00.

I noticed that the Thunder's soph Ellie Cassell also had 16 rebs today which prompted me to check her stats.  Seems she did almost nothing as a frosh but this year has quietly become the leading rebounder and 4th leading scorer in 22 min/game.  I haven't seen her play but that progression should bode well for the future.

[RogK]

Cassell is at .42 rebs per minute this season, which is excellent.
She played only 13 minutes last season. If I remember correctly, she refused to play except against schools that begin with a letter in the L-to-N range.* Thus, she saw action only vs Lakeland, Lake Forest, Millikin and North Central.
* if this seems implausible ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_5JMGmRSc0
--

[GoPerry]

NCC's IxChel Leeuwenburgh grabbed 16 rebounds in 19:00.

I noticed that the Thunder's soph Ellie Cassell also had 16 rebs today which prompted me to check her stats.  Seems she did almost nothing as a frosh but this year has quietly become the leading rebounder and 4th leading scorer in 22 min/game.  I haven't seen her play but that progression should bode well for the future.

Cassell is at .42 rebs per minute this season, which is excellent.
She played only 13 minutes last season. If I remember correctly, she refused to play except against schools that begin with a letter in the L-to-N range.* Thus, she saw action only vs Lakeland, Lake Forest, Millikin and North Central.
* if this seems implausible ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_5JMGmRSc0
--

Besides Hannah's Swider and Williams, few of the current Thunder ladies roster saw much action of significance last year.

At 6'1" (listed) Cassell is a much needed inside presence especially when the opponent has a solid #5 as Elmhurst does in Courtney O'Donnell.  She doesn't quite have the mobility of last season's Hannah Frazier or Jill Berg so it will be a little more challenging sticking with the likes of IWU's Riley Brovelli which, as luck would have it, she won't have to this year (go figure that).  Park's Jayla Johnson however will be tough.

She does make the common high school to college mistake of bringing the ball down on rebounds where smaller players can slap it out of your hands.  Keep that ball above your shoulders until everyone clears.

[Ultimate Titan Fan]

IWU over NCC, 77-52.

I think 17 players on both sides got into the game.   

Sosa 16
Lansford 12
Munroe 12

Better defense, fewer turnovers, decent rebounding. 

'70

Freshy Emily Kleffman added 6 pts in limited play. At 6-3, I hope we see a lot more of her.

[iwu70]

Kleffman likely heir apparent to Brovelli.  Yes, good size and tremendous high school career.  The freshman group looks promising so far.  Will be very hard to replace the senior cohort:  Sosa, Munroe, Brovelli and Lowis.

Another big game with MU next week. 

'70

[RogK]

Congrats to Elyce Knudsen on her 2nd consecutive conference Player of the Week honor!

[GoPerry]

Congrats to Elyce Knudsen on her 2nd consecutive conference Player of the Week honor!

She's a baller for sure.

I wonder if Ms Knudsen was on the recruiting radar of IWU, Augie or others?  The guys on the MU/IWU broadcast made some mention of Coach Lett's success in landing her but didn't mention the competition including DI and II.

[gordonmann]

Yeah, I watched her against Wheaton and was impressed. I didn't realize she's just a freshman.

[Gregory Sager]

Just received a text about an hour ago that North Park will be hosting Illinois Wesleyan on Saturday afternoon at 2 pm.

[iwu70]

Tons of schedule changes likely.  IWU vs. MU tonight, 7 p.m. at the Griz.  A key game if IWU wishes to stay in the early conference race.   I'm sure IWU will play better this time.

'70

[Gregory Sager]

Big game tonight in the crackerbox. NPU needs to snap back from Saturday's loss in Waukesha and prove that the Vikings are for real as they take on a tough foe, Wheaton. Looking forward to calling this one.

[iwu70]

IWU and MU going to OT at the Griz.  Sosa has 37.

Seems a foul fest -- at least four players have fouled out. 

'70

[iwu70]

Simply remarkable.  The Kendall Sosa show at the Griz.  The Titans coming back from 11 down in the fourth, into OT, outscoring MU in the OT 17-8 for the win, 81-72.

For IWU:
Sosa 47  14-14 FTs
Lansford 11
Munroe 10
Brovelli 8 rbs.

Three Titans fouled out.

For MU:
Hildebrand 21
Knudsen 12 Ratsch 10
Coffman 9

A remarkable comeback.  Sosa's single game total must be an all-time TITAN record.  CCIW record?   

The Titans wouldn't give up tonight, getting back into the CCIW race.

Well done Titans, incredible Ms. Sosa.

IWU'70

[iwu70]

Here's Kendall Sosa's remarkable line at the Griz:

43 minutes:   13-29, 3-9 from trey, 18-18 FTs (my correction), 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 5 steals

47 points

A good evening's work.

Congrats to the Titans on the big win.  Congrats to Kendall on a truly remarkable game.


IWU'70