3/07/08

The Wildcats’ season came to a close following the first round of the Heart of America Athletic Conference tournament, but any observer would agree it was not because of a lack of fight from the ‘Cats.

Entering the eight-team HAAC tournament with a No. 7 seed meant the ‘Cats had to go on the road to face No. 2 MidAmerica Nazarene University Feb. 28 in Olathe.

Despite an explosive start, the Wildcats wilted later, and the Pioneers advanced to the second round with a 64-54 win.

Baker opened the game on a 7-0 run to knock the Pioneers on their heels. The ‘Cats would eventually push the lead to eight before MidAmerica responded midway through the first half with a run of its own.

The seesaw battle saw the Pioneers take the lead with 10 minutes remaining in the first half. In a game of runs, MidAmerica went on another one to extend its lead to nine with just over five minutes left before the break.

The ‘Cats would not let themselves get buried as they answered the Pioneers with an 11-0 run to retake the lead.

MidAmerica went on to tie the game just before half, and the teams went into their locker rooms knotted at 32-32.

During the break, the Wildcats felt as if it was their game to win, sophomore Tayler Stacks said.

“We felt like we played pretty well in the first half and gained confidence going into the second half,” she said. “We really felt like we had put ourselves in a good position to win the game.”

Senior Allie Heinen was a force for Baker in the first 20 minutes as she put up 20 points and grabbed eight boards.

Coming out of the locker room, the Pioneers turned up their defensive intensity holding Baker to 31 percent from the field and maintaining a comfortable advantage throughout the second half.

In the closing minutes of the game, MidAmerica sank its free throws giving the ‘Cats no chance for a comeback late in the game, sophomore Kendra Schaefer said.

“We put ourselves in a good position, but we just couldn’t close in on them late in the game,” she said.

All-Conference selection Jenna Matson was a force for the Pioneers as she led her team with 19 points and had a game-high 14 rebounds. Heinen, an All-HAAC second team selection, paced the ‘Cats with a game-high 29 points and 11 boards.

The Wildcats finished the season with 15-16 overall and 10-10 in conference play. Despite closing out the season with a less than satisfying run, the Wildcats feel like they have a chance to make a great run next season, junior Whitney Rogers said.

“We have a bad taste in our mouths right now, but we should be able to come back even stronger next year,” she said. “It should be exciting.”