Solid Weekend For Lady Maple Leafs At Judson Tournament
November 21, 2009
ELGIN, Ill. – In their final preparation for the start of Mid-Central College Conference play next week, the Goshen College women’s basketball team went 1-1 at this weekend’s Judson University Tournament in Illinois.
On day one, the Maple Leafs were matched up with a talented IU – Northwest team and despite shooting just 26% from the field, managed to stay close in a 60-55 loss. The loss put Goshen in the consolation game against Holy Cross College and the Leafs bounced back in style with a 76-53 victory.
“It was good to play on the road in a tournament situation,” said head coach Steve Wiktorowski. “I thought we competed well, but our shooting kept us from going for a championship.”
Going into Friday’s match up against Indiana University – Northwest, Wiktorowski and the Leafs were concerned about controlling the interior size of the RedHawks, who boast six players at six feet or taller, including a pair of 6′4″ post stars. Goshen, however, performed well inside posting a 48-45 advantage on the glass, including grabbing 23 offensive rebounds.
“IU – Northwest may have the most talented front line in the country and I thought we competed against them very well in every category on the stats sheet except shooting,” Wiktorowski explained. “Both teams had good looks at the basket from outside in the second half. They simply knocked down more late than we did.”
Shooting percentages were the biggest difference, especially in the second half. After leading by just one at the half, the RedHawks hit 41% from the field in the final half and nailed 60% from beyond the arch. Goshen, meanwhile, hit on just 24% of their chance in the second half and 3-of-17 from 3-point territory.
Junior Cassie Greives registered her third double-double of the season as she tallied 14 points to go with 12 rebounds. Senior Lindsay Gangloff was also in double digits scoring with 10 points.
The Maple Leafs shooting struggled continued into the first half of Saturday’s game against Holy Cross. Goshen hit 33% in the first half and found themselves down 33-29 at the break.
Down by eight four minutes into the second half, the Leafs caught fire. Five different players scored during a 12-0 stretch as Goshen went up 45-41 with 12:20 to play. Just minutes later, the Leafs went on a 20-0 run as they held the Saints scoreless for more than seven minutes of play.
“Holy Cross was a very physical and intense game, but I thought we played one of our better second halves of the season and took control of the game late,” Wiktorowski said. “We got some spark off the bench from Rachel Allen, Rebecca Staveteig, and Jessica Carney in both games as players are starting to settle into their roles a little better.”
In the second half, Goshen nailed 4-of-7 from long range and 53% overall as they pulled away. Junior Erica Yost led four Goshen players in double digits with a game-high 19 points, while Greives had 15. Gangloff and freshman Jenna Rusmisel each had 11 points for the Leafs.
Greives was named to the all tournament team after racking up 29 points and 21 rebounds in the two games.
“Greives was a very steady presence for us this weekend and was very deserving of her all-tournament selection,” added Wiktorowski. “Gangloff is beginning to regain her confidence after sitting out last year and is also becoming more consistent offensively.”
Goshen is set to start MCC play when they host NAIA DII #14 Indiana Wesleyan University at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday. The athletic department is hosting a canned food drive and fans can receive free admission by bringing non-perishable food items to the game. They will be distributed to local charities in time for the Thanksgiving holidays.
“Hopefully this experience will help prepare to take on an outstanding and well coached Indiana Wesleyan team to open the conference season,” Wiktorowski concluded.
