High-Powered USF Attack Soars Past Maple Leafs
February 6, 2010
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Coming off its first Mid-Central College Conference win of the season on Wednesday, the Goshen College women’s basketball team could not find a way to slow the 11th ranked Cougars of the University of Saint Francis.
The home team scored 53 points in the opening period on way to a 101-80 victory. With the win – coupled with a Indiana Wesleyan loss – the Cougars move into a first-place tie atop the conference standings. After Spring Arbor’s upset of #4 IWU, the Maple Leafs have some work ahead of them in order to qualify for the postseason tournament.
With a slightly different starting look due to injuries, Goshen got great production from their opening rotation. Four of five starters finished in double digits, including a game-high 23 from junior Cassie Greives. One of the main issues, though, was that the Leafs got just seven points from off the bench to the Cougars’ 43.
“Considering we were missing two starters and a key reserve to injury and illness today,” head coach Steve Wiktorowski explained. “I was pretty proud of our competitiveness against a highly ranked and well rested team on their home floor.”
After scoring the first five points of the game, Saint Francis continued to pour it on early. They pushed their advantage to double digits seven minutes in and shot 50% in the half to take as much as a 19-point lead.
“We got off to a shaky start, but kept fighting,” Wiktorowski added. “We went on a nice run in the second half and had it down to seven points.”
The Maple Leafs came out on fire in the second half, hitting a trio of 3-pointers as they cut the deficit to 58-51 less than four minutes into the period. The top scoring offense in the conference, though, could not be slowed for long. Saint Francis got its lead back to double digits at the midway point of the half and then pulled away for the victory.
“Saint Francis went to a trapping defense and we had a couple turnovers that led to easy baskets,” Wiktorowski continued. “(Erica) Yost and (Sam) Hawk fouled out soon after and they were just too deep and talented for us to make a run at the end. We shot the ball fairly well, especially from three and did an outstanding job at the free throw line. Turnovers and their second shot opportunities were the real story of the game.”
Goshen turned the ball over 24 times on the afternoon and allowed the Cougars to grab 15 offensive rebounds. They managed to keep it close for stretches, however, after hitting on 10-of-16 (63%) from beyond the arc.
Junior Erica Yost finished the afternoon with 15 points, while seniors Heather Hahn and Lindsay Gangloff had 13 each. In her first start of the season, freshman Sam Hawk hit three 3-pointers to tally nine points.
“Our starters did a nice job of producing points for us and competed hard overall on defense,” Wiktorowski said. “I was especially happy with the all-around play of Heather Hahn today who played her most minutes of the year and did a nice job on the boards. This will be a big week for us as we play our final two home games of the year against a couple quality teams in Huntington and Taylor.”
The Maple Leafs have just four regular season contests remaining and likely need to pull out wins in at least two to qualify for the MCC Tournament. They play hosts to Huntington University on Wednesday before Taylor University comes into Goshen on Saturday in the home finale.
