Kalamazoo Valley Women's Basketball

February 13, 2008    KVCC (69) at Lansing (67) at Gannon Vocational Center in Lansing, MI
 

Coach's comments: 
     "Scary.  Lansing's a scary team."  Those were the comments from Coach Welch before the game in Lansing on Wednesday night.  Those thoughts probably haven't changed much as the Cougars were able to 'steal' one on the road for their third straight road win.  The game had 3 lead changes and was tied 8 times, but the resilient Cougars made a couple plays at the end of the game to win it 69-67.

                                                    Photo by Joanne
                                                                                  Ericka King nails one of her 4 triples

     This one was not easy.  "I told the team before the game that this team (Lansing) was going to beat somebody that would effect the league race and that we had to work to see that it wasn't us.   We made plays when we needed them - and made free throws - and I'm very happy to sneak out of  the Capitol city with a two point win." Said a relieved Welch.  The win moved the Cougars into third place alone in the Western Conference standings.  "At this point," continued Welch, "It's about seeding for the tournament and building momentum for post season play because I think that realistically our chances at a conference championship are probably gone.  It's refreshing to see the gals understanding that and playing hard - doing what it takes to win these close games.  We would need some help, but second place and the first round 'bye' that comes with it, is not outside the realm of possibility."

     Lansing jumped out to a 5-0 lead early and it was a grind for the Cougars from there on.  The Stars expanded their lead to 8 points (12-20) at the 8:27 mark, before the KVCC team began their comeback.  A Dumond steal and subsequent layup completed the comeback and tied the score at 24 with 3:32 left and it went back and forth with Caitlin Krull bucket to put the Cougars up two (30-28) with 2:08 left.  Lansing's Jackie Felpausch tied the game 16 seconds later at 30 and that was the halftime score.
     The second half was more of the same.  The visiting Cougars went out to a 47-38 lead with 12:34 left, but back came the home team behind the play of Central Michigan bound Laura Baker and Feldpausch, cutting the lead to 52-49 at 9:34 on a three by Baker.  Time for another KVCC run and the Cougars responded with a 9-0 run, including a Ericka King three sandwiched by a pair of Dumond triples to take their biggest lead of the game at 61-49 with 6:08 left.  But Lansing wasn't done.
     Lansing's powerful inside game kicked into over drive and back they came behind Feldpausch, Baker and freshman post Ashley Rothney to tie the score at 64 with 1:21 to play.  Then the KVCC fireworks started.  After possessions by each team in which they turned the ball over, Shannon Dumond drove the lane, got whacked, but  made the shot and went to the line to complete the 'old fashioned ' three point play to give her team a 67-64 lead with 21 seconds left.  Lansing's Tiffany Thelen entered the game for Rothney and with  8 seconds left drained a LONG range contested three to tie the score at 67. 
     "I was tempted to call time out at that point, but we got it in quickly and got something going in transition." explained the Cougar Coach.  "I think you have to trust your players to make a play - and it worked out well."  With the ball in Dumond's hands the Cougars were able to find Jeannie Closson in the short corner and she attacked the basket and got fouled by Baker (her 5th).  Closson promptly went to the line and coolly swished the first free throw before a Lansing time out to try and 'ice' the shooter.  To no avail.  Closson's 2nd charity toss was nothing but net with 3.6 tics left on the shot and a time out by the Stars to set up a play for the final shot.

                                                                   Photo by Joanne
                                                                         Closson scores inside against the Stars

     Lansing tried a long pass to half court and Dumond almost sealed the deal with a steal, but the ball caromed off her hands out of bounds with 1.6 seconds left and the sense of urgency for the Stars ratcheted up a bit more.  They inbounded to sophomore Quannika Horne who dribbled away for pressure and got off about a 40' three attempt that was well short and to the right.  The Cougars had survived.
     Shannon Dumond again led the Cougar offense with 18 points and 8 assists with Jeannie Closson right behind her at 16 points and 11 rebounds for her 8th double double in a row.  Freshmen combo guard Ericka King provided an important spark with a 4/5 shooting effort from three for 12 points.  Caitlin Krull and Jessica Sanders provided outstanding floor games.  Krull had 9 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals, while Sanders was 3/4 from the floor for 6 points and also had 4 assists, 2 blocks and 4 steals.  A pair of freshmen perimeter players contributed to the Cougars 9/20 showing from outside the arc.  Nicole Compher and Alicia Jesnek were both 1/1 from three in the second half.  In addition, the Cougars were perfect from the Charity stripe on the night with 12/12 shooting.                                 
                                                                                           
      Lady Cougars travel to Benton Harbor on Friday to continue the battle for seeding in the upcoming conference tournament against the resurgent Indians who are right behind the Cougars in the Western Conference standings.  Game time is 5:30 pm.

     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