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Kalamazoo Valley Women's Basketball |
January 31, 2008 KVCC (60) at
Kellogg (68) at Miller Gymnasium in Battle Creek, MI
Coach's comments:
Sophomores vs. freshmen. That's pretty much what Thursday's
re-scheduled game with Kellogg came down to.
"In the five games that we have played
against Kellogg since that group of sophomores arrived in Battle Creek, that's
the best Shante Clark has played against us. She was dominant."
commented a disappointed, but up beat Coach Welch. "When we're defending
and rebounding like we did in the first half you see the result (Cougars up by
six, 33-27). Give them credit. Their sophomores stepped up their
game in the second half and really crashed the offensive glass - particularly
Clark and Christina Edwards - who both notched 13 rebounds on the game.
When you look at the stats, it's amazing we were still in the game at the end.
Our kids really hung in there and competed. Our initial defense was really
pretty good, but when you give up that many second chances (31 offensive
rebounds), you're limiting your chances of success. In a game that you
hold your opponent to 24.7% shooting on the evening - that's a game you should
win - going away. We need to do a better job of team rebounding - and we will."
After outrebounding the Bruins by two in the first half, the young Cougars lost
the war on the boards for the game, 65-48.
The Cougars were not without their own bright
spots. Sophomore Shannon Dumond responded to the intense Bruin perimeter
pressure applied by Kellogg star Pokey Gillespie with 15 points, 4 rebounds, 3
steals and 2 assists. Freshman post player from Parchment, Jeannie Closson
was solid with her 6th straight double double turning in an 11 point, 13
rebound, 5 block effort. Caitlin Krull, although limited in floor time
because of foul trouble, chipped in 13 points before fouling out with 12 seconds
remaining. Ericka King, freshman from Battle Creek Central,
struggled thru a tough shooting night, but only turned the ball over once and
collected 7 rebounds from her guard position and was solid on defense. The
Cougars also got another fine performance from Tri-captain freshman Nicole
Compher. She had 11 points and 2 assists, going 7 for 7 from the free throw
line. For the second game in a row, thanks in large part to Compher's
efforts, the Valley bench out scored the opposition's bench 12 -8. The
Cougars were without the services of Paw Paw freshman Kirsten Smith who attended
the game to support her teammates, but was too ill to participate.
#10, Nicole Compher makes a move in earlier game with KCC
The Valley team was very good at the free throw
line again, going 24/30 (80%) with Caitlin Krull's 11/14 showing leading the
way.
"I thought we did a nice job in the first half of
limiting lay ups and second chance opportunities." praised the Cougar coach. "In
the second half that kinda got away from us, plus we only shot 16.7% for the
half. Either one of those will beat you - no matter how good your defense
is. We have to figure out a way to finish off the defensive possession by
securing a defensive rebound." The hunch here is that they will.
The Host Bruins were led in scoring by Clark with
a game high 25 points and Edwards with 19. No other Bruin was in double
figures.
Both the men's and women's teams welcome the "bye
game" slot in the schedule this weekend and will resume Western Conference play
next Wednesday
in Plymouth, Indiana at Ancilla College. Game time, as usual is 5:30 pm as the Cougars
take one of the league's surprise teams. The Chargers have an identical
record as the KVCC team over all, but is a game down in the loss column to the
Cougars and inflicted a tough four point home loss on the Lady Cougars early in
January.
The balance of the schedule can be found on the
schedule page of the KVCC women's basketball
site. Click on the link below for more info.
Schedule Page
