The Baker University women’s basketball team is off to a 2-0 start in its Heart of America Athletic Conference regular season after defeating Avila University and Missouri Valley College.
After a last-place finish in the HAAC last year, head coach Ben Lister is excited about how the team has started off this season.
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“It’s hard to describe how much better we feel right now than we did at this point last year,” Lister said. “Last year’s group gave everything they had, but this year we actually have the ability to get it done.”
On Thursday, the Wildcats traveled to Kansas City, Mo., to defeat Avila 76-60 on its home court.
Lister was satisfied with how well the team took care of the ball, as the Wildcats only turned it over 12 times compared to the 20 turnovers Baker’s defense forced on the Eagles.
Junior BriAnna Garza led the team with 23 points and senior Rece Huddlin followed with 15.
Huddlin picked up her second double-double of the season against Avila with 10 rebounds as well, but that is just the beginning of her achievements on the court this week.
On Saturday’s game against Missouri Valley, Huddlin recorded 20 rebounds and 17 points.
“When we went into halftime, we had to take a double look at the stats because she had 14 rebounds already,” Lister said. “But she played great, and I am very pleased with her effort and outstanding job on the glass today.”
The final score of the game was 77-62. Thirty-three of the Wildcats’ points were scored off the bench, something Lister thinks is a key factor in their success this season.
“We have felt from the beginning of the year that we are very deep,” Lister said. “We have a lot of kids that can come off the bench and score. For example, Avery Vogts doesn’t get in the game at Avila, but comes in (against Missouri Valley) and hits 3-6 from the 3-point line. We have so many kids that can step up and play with this group. That’s why they’re fun to coach and fun to watch.”
Baker is now 8-3 on the season and will travel to Liberty, Mo., Dec. 14 to take on William Jewell College.
