SLIAC

[y_jack_lok]

And, although I haven't scouted the rosters, I have this sense that most of the teams in the conference are fairly young. I'm not sure any school has what one would consider a veteran team. Westminster, maybe. And Spalding could be an exception, but, as noted earlier, I know nothing about them.

[watchdog]

The conference race appears wide open with no definitive favorite, regardless of the pre-season poll. But, we'll start getting an idea next week (see below).

Westminster lost three starters from last year and almost 50 percent of its scoring. And there are seven freshmen on the roster. With their first conference game at Blackburn on Dec. 5, we will know a little bit more about the Blue Jays.

Upcoming SLIAC Games:
Dec. 1
5:00 PM, Principia at Spalding
Dec. 2
6:00 PM, Blackburn at Webster
6:00 PM, Eureka at MacMurray
6:00 PM, Fontbonne at Greenville
Dec. 5
1:00 PM, Webster at MacMurray
1:00 PM, Westminster (Mo.) at Blackburn
1:00 PM, Spalding at Fontbonne

[hopefan]

Well, generally my game schedule is based solely on the men's game, and therefore on the opening night of SLIAC hoops in the St Louis area, I'd go over to Greenville to watch Fontbonne -Gville..  BUT....  I'm curious enough regarding BC vs Webster ladies, that I think I'll head to
Webster on Wednesday, and catch Fontbonne on Saturday.

Be prepared for stiff critique Coach Will    aaaah, just kiddin...

[Coach Will]

Hopefan,

I am more worried about the stiff defense of that Webster will play...lol!!! We are headed to play D-2 Lewis University...wish us luck.

[hopefan]

Coach...   More SLIAC Preparation!!!!   Good luck, more important, keep the kids healthy....

[Coach Will]

Thanks, as Lewis is going to be tough! I get another player back today! So everyone is back, just not 100%! We got to get better in a hurry! Wednesday and Saturday will be a good test for us!

[y_jack_lok]

From the board of the SCIAC in the West region, posted by OxyBob:

"Oxy 95 Fontbonne 74

Oxy dominated Fontbonne, winning easily 95-74. The game was tied at 16 at 10:45, but Samantha Rossi's 3-ball gave Oxy the lead for good. The Tigers led 50-38 at the half, and by as many as 24 in the second half. Oxy spread the love around -- Samantha Rossi scored 17, Makenzie Brandon had 15, Stephanie Babij scored 13, Britinee Yasukochi and Dior Williams each had 10, and Laura Mohler had 9. For the Griffins, Kailin Bramel had 15, Calista Collier had 14, and Shaerika April scored 11."

[Coach Will]

Blackburn played really well but lost by 25 to D-2 Lewis Univeristy! Blackburn defense caused Lewis to turn the ball over 21 times! Lewis experience wore down the beavers in the 2nd half! Blackburn had a 4 point lead with 4 minutes to go in the 1st half! Nice job Lady Beavers!

[watchdog]

Conference play is underway and Spalding held serve at home, topping the Principia women 68-39 and the Principia men 83-45.

Wednesday's Action:

Blackburn at Webster
Eureka at MacMurray
Fontbonne at Greenville

The Pre-Season Polls:

Men
1. Westminster (3)
2. Fontbonne (3)
3. Webster (1)
4. Spalding
5. Greenville (1)
6. Eureka
7. MacMurray
8. Blackburn
9. Principia

Women
1. Westminster (2)
2. Blackburn (3)
3. Spalding (2)
4. Fontbonne (1)
5. Webster
6. MacMurray
7. Greenville
8. Principia
9. Eureka

[theoneandonly]

How does a team get more votes and still end up number 2?

[y_jack_lok]

How does a team get more votes and still end up number 2?

Blackburn got more first palce votes, but apparently Westminster must have received enough more second and third place votes to give them more total points than Blackburn.

[hopefan]

Extremely entertaining ladies game  BC vs Webster - Sloppy beyond belief (each team with 24 turnovers), but TWO great comebacks by BC  cutting a 19 point deficeit to 7 at half, falling behind again by18 in the 2nd half, and getting as close as 3 in the final minutes.   Webster gutted it out though.

Both teams have an abundance of players and aren't hurt at all going to the bench...

BC shoots 9 for 30 from the FT line - 50% of 30 would have resulted in a tie...

Great matchup of point guards... Webster frosh Maggie Zehner, BC senior Jasmine Robinson....

Coach Will is a blast to watch work - really into every facet of the game, very expressive, hard to miss - enjoyed chatting with him briefly after the game - he remains optimistic, especially talking about the youth of his team....

[hopefan]

Was Surprised at Gville Fontbonne lady's result - with Gville winning 77-70.

Major key to game could have been Gville's 36 free throw attempts vs Fontbonne's 16.....

[Coach Will]

Hopefan and Yjack, was nice meeting both of you. I am just sorry that my team looked like they have never been coached. We will get better...I can't see us ever shooting that bad from the free throw line every again.

I told you all early on, that anyone can win on any given night.

[watchdog]

Westminster overcomes an 11-point second-half deficit to top Blackburn 66-59 in Carlinville. Rachel Backes scores 18 for the Blue Jays.

12/5/09 SLIAC Scores:
Fontbonne 65, Spalding 59
Webster 88, MacMurray 72
Westminster 66, Blackburn 59