Women Grizzlies clinch HCAC Tourney spot

PRINT THIS COMMENTS (0) SEND TO A FRIEND RELATED STORIES

By James Hornett, February 18, 2009

The Grizzlies fell on Wednesday by 13 to the league leading Pioneers Wednesday, February 11. The Grizzlies fell behind at the 11 minute mark in the first half and were unable to overcome the 45-35 score at the half.

 

The first half was led by Traci Lippold with nine points, three rebounds and two assists. Heather Harper put up seven points and pulled down three rebounds. Stephanie Radtke chipped in five points off the bench.

 

The Pioneers saw double digits from three of their five starters. Holly Milburn and Brittany Henderlight led both teams with 13 points apiece in the half contributing half of the points the Pioneers attained. Olivia Akridge put up 10 points rounding out the top scorers. Jackie Distler led the team with 5 rebounds followed by Milburn with 4 of the 21 first-half rebounds for the Pioneers.

 

The second half was more of a shootout seeing the two teams combine for 101 points. The Grizzlies were unable to overcome the first half deficit and fell by 15 points.

 

Harper threw up a half-high 15 points followed by Lippold with 11. Monica Planalp added nine points followed by Jen Kelly with six points of the bench in the second half. Lippold added four assists and Appelhans pulled down three of the nine rebounds in the second half for the Grizzlies.

 

The Pioneers were led by Distler and Akridge with 12 points apiece in the half. Milburn chipped in eight, Henderlight with seven. Kelsey McCarthy had five points and four rebounds.

 

Both teams were pretty even shooting the basket from the field. The Grizzlies shot 43 percent on 29-of-68 shooting, with the Pioneers 28-of-57 shooting. The Pioneers shot 49 percent. The difference between the two teams came at the free-throw line. The Grizzlies made 19-of-27 free throws to the 35-of-40 for the Pioneers.

 

The Grizzlies had three double-digit scorers in Harper’s game-high 22, Lippold’s 20, and Planalp’s 11. Lippold had 6 assists and Appelhans pulled down 6 of the Grizzly 31 rebounds.

The Pioneers had four women in double figures. Akridge along with Harper led their respective teams with game-high 22 points, followed by Milburn’s 21, Henderlight’s 20, and Distler’s 17. McCarthy, Milburn, and Distler led the Pioneers with seven rebounds apiece.

 

The Grizzlies came home to the Spurlock Center and pulled out a victory over the Lions of Mt. St. Joe’s 83-66 on Valentine’s Day, February 14.

 

The Grizzlies came out and were hot from the start on Alumnae Day. The Grizzlies went into the half with a 41-26 lead.

 

The Lions were led in the half by Megan Smith with eight points. Carolyn Holt pulled down six rebounds.

 

The Lions were led by Thomas with 12, Smith with 11, Siemer with 6, and Brittany Sparks and Schroder with five points apiece. Schaller and Holt pulled down eight and six of the 39 Lion rebounds respectively.

 

The Grizzlies were led by Harper and Lippold with 19 points apiece, Planalp with 17, Brittney Wilson with 11 and Applehans with seven. Wilson, Lippold, and Appelhans pulled down eight, seven, and six of the 40 Grizzly boards in the game. Lippold and Planalp each added four assists.

 

The Grizzlies are currently sitting at 13-9 and are third place in the conference at 9-5. The Grizzlies have made it to the conference tournament and are battling Hanover and Manchester for a first-round home game next week. The Grizzlies face Hanover Wednesday evening with a 7:30 p.m. tip-off and will host Defiance on Saturday, Senior Day. The Grizzlies control who they will play and where they will play next week in the conference tournament.