02/29/08

The final four dates on Baker's schedule were disappointing, but a deep run in the postseason tournament would make those four losses a distant memory.Season at a Glance<a href="/womenbasketball">Season at a Glance</a> Season at a Glance

With just two games left on their schedule, the ‘Cats found themselves in fourth place in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. Fourth place meant Baker would host a first-round game in the HAAC tournament.

The team controlled its destiny to host – two wins equals hosting a game.

The ‘Cats’ first obstacle to overcome would be Missouri Valley College on Senior Night in Collins Center. The teams traded blows, but in the end it would be a bittersweet ending for seniors Allie Heinen and Erin Oliver.

Missouri Valley took the lead early and never relinquished its advantage winning the game, 65-51.

However, the margin of victory cannot always explain the sequence of events.

After falling behind early in the first half, the Wildcats fought tooth-and-nail to get a win for their two seniors, sophomore Tayler Stacks said.

“We weren’t playing our best basketball, but we really wanted to win for Allie and Erin,” she said. “We wanted to get them a win in their last home game.”

At the half, Baker trailed by 12 but began to chip away at the lead early in the second half.

During one stretch, freshman Aubree Gustin drilled two from behind the arc while junior Lauren Shufelberger got one of her own. Freshman Josey McDiffett got a huge block on the defensive end and added two buckets.

Then, junior Katilin Schneden buried a three in the face of a Viking defender. A fiery competitor, Schneden made sure to remind the defender of what had just happened on their trip back down the floor.

After the run, the ‘Cats found themselves trailing by only five points with just under 11 minutes remaining in the game.

Baker would get no closer than five as the Vikings extended their lead and left Baldwin City with a 12-point win.

Sophomore Kendra Schaefer said an excess of emotion might have been a factor for the disappointing result.

“I think we wanted to win so bad for our seniors that we didn’t play relaxed,” she said. “We made turnovers and mistakes at bad times. Maybe, we were too excited and wanted to win too much that we didn’t do what we do best. I know it was disappointing for all of us.”

The Wildcats closed out their regular season schedule with a Saturday trip to Springfield, Mo., to take on Evangel University.

Baker looked as if it were headed to the win column with its first half performance. After 20 minutes of action, the ‘Cats led 26-23.

The tide quickly turned in the second half as Evangel outscored Baker 45-24 in the final 20 minutes of the game and won the game, 68-50.

The two losses dropped the Wildcats down to seventh place in the conference standings, which meant they would be on the road in the first round of the postseason.

Thursday night Baker headed up I-35 for its first round matchup with rival MidAmerica Nazarene University. Results of the contest were unavailable at presstime.

The two teams met twice during the regular season. On Dec. 6, the Pioneers prevailed winning 71-61. The last day of January proved to be the same story as the ‘Cats were beaten again, 68-57.

Despite losing twice to MidAmerica, the team believes they can make a run at a HAAC title.

“Why not us? If we play good basketball, we can compete with anyone in our conference,” junior Whitney Rogers said.