The Sycamore women’s basketball team (17-14, 8-12 MVC) could not duplicate its performance its Missouri Valley Conference Tournament opening round performance Friday against Illinois State (24-6, 17-2 MVC) as the Redbirds defeated the Sycamores 76-39.
“I just want to compliment Illinois State,” assistant coach Clint Weddle said. “They are obviously a very good basketball team and we wish them the best of luck.”
The Redbirds got things started off with a bucket by forward Ashleen Bracey. Junior forward Kelsie Cooley then responded with a bucket of her own, to tie the game at 2.
The redbirds then began to find their rhythm going on a 15-2 run grabbing a 17-4 advantage.
“No team in the [MVC] is easy competition,” senior guard Kelsey Luna said. “Those girls came out and wanted to play hard and do well.”
Cooley then hit back-to-back-to-back buckets and grabbed an offensive rebound, broken up by a Bracey 3-pointer, to bring the Sycamores back to within 10 at 20-10.
The Redbirds then ended the half on a 10-4 run to hold a 30-14 halftime lead.
After halftime the Redbirds came out on a 12-0 run to extend their lead to 42-14 just two minutes into the second half.
Sophomore center Shannon Thomas then hit a bucket followed by a layup from sophomore guard Brittany Schoen to bring the Sycamores within 24.
That is the closest they would come though as the Redbirds shot almost 53% from the floor in the second half and shot 50% from behind the arc.
The Redbirds went on to win by a final score 76-39.
“I think we gave it our best but today it just wasn’t good enough,” Cooley said. “Sometimes that just happens in basketball.”
The Sycamores were able to put three scorers in double figures led by Thomas who had 13 points, eight rebounds and four blocks.
Cooley added 10 points, three rebounds and two assists. Sophomore forward Amanda Pedro also reached double figures with 10 points and scored the Sycamores only two 3-pointers of the contest.
The loss also marks the final game in a Sycamore uniform for Luna, who finished with two points both off free throws, senior guard Sarah Paul and senior center Laurence Rivest.
After the suspension of head coach Jim Wiedie, assistant coaches Weddle, Melanie Boeglin and Cammie Campbell finished with a 6-4 record. Now the Sycamores must search for someone to take over the program and after the game Cooley expressed who she thought would be the right person for the job.
“He [Weddle] is sitting right next to me in my opinion,” Cooley said.
An announcement regarding the position is expected to be announced before the end of the semester.
Be the first to comment on this article! Log in to Comment
You must be logged in to comment on an article. Not already a member? Register now