In a season corresponding with the weather – winning six-of-seven during a warm November and dropping five in a row to begin the frigid January – the women’s hoops squad is starting to sizzle again.
The most recent indication of the warming came Monday at Collins Center when the Wildcats smoked the Central Methodist University Eagles 64-52, improving their record to 10-10 on the season.
Head coach Susan Decker said the key was for the team to acquire an early lead and make the Eagles try to fight their way back into the game. With some strong shooting from senior Kaitlin Schneden – she started the game 2-2 from three-point range – and sophomore Audrey Bryant, the Wildcats received the message and opened the game with a 20-7 run.
“I think anytime you get to a lead like that early, it gives you confidence,” Decker said. “We did that at Graceland, too. We had a substantial lead. But in this conference, I can’t be comfortable with any lead. I think our kids held on and battled for 40 minutes and did some really nice things in both the first and second half.”
The Wildcats took a 33-21 advantage into the break, mostly due to their ability to take care of the basketball in the face of some stingy CMU defense. The Eagles implemented a full-court press for most of the game, but floor generals Kendra Schaefer and Tayler Stacks only turned the ball over three times in the entire game.
“Their full-court pressure consistently was better than anybody we have played this year,” Stacks said. “Their guards and wings pressured the ball really well. They weren’t as athletic as Graceland, but they got up and down the floor well.”
“Their trap was also really good,” Schneden added.
Bryant and fellow sophomore Aubree Gustin led the Wildcats on offense as they kicked in 16 and 13 points, respectively.
"I had a lot of opportunities to score with a smaller person guarding me," Bryant said. "And the other girls on the team recognized it, too."<br/>Gustin also won the battle on the boards, grabbing 13 rebounds to lead the team.Gustin also won the battle on the boards, grabbing 13 rebounds to lead the team.
Gustin also won the battle on the boards, grabbing 13 rebounds to lead the team.
“(Gustin) really made her presence known inside against some pretty good post players,” Decker said. “I thought she did a really good job with posting up, finishing around the basket and rebounding.”
Things got a little hairy in the second half as Central Methodist started to find its range. The Eagles opened with a 9-2 run to climb back into the contest and bring the score to 35-30.
But a quick eight unanswered points from the Wildcats – including a textbook bounce pass from Bryant to a back door-cutting Schneden for a layup – effectively ended any chance at a comeback.
The Wildcats are 4-6 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. The team traveled Thursday to Atchison for a game against Benedictine College but results were unavailable at presstime.
The ‘Cats play Lindenwood University at 2 p.m. Saturday in St. Charles, Mo.
