You always have to love home cooking and the Hilton served up some for the Cowpokes. This was not an easy win in any way, shape or form and had some really ugly aspects to it. The first quarter saw both teams feeling each other out. OSU was bolstered by the return of Mack who score the team's first 7 points. ISU meanwhile was slowly inching ahead and answered everything OSU could put up. Every time OSU would creep within five or so points someone stepped up and hit a big shot and would expand the lead once more. This was very much a team game for ISU as different players all contributed across the board. The biggest draw from this game is realizing that like KU, OSU is not a very good shooting team. If it didn't go inside, it likely wasn't going in the basket. So, that is what OSU did all game long was use speed and size to pound inside. Fortunately, the ISU defense did just enough to stave off any serious comebacks and OSU helped by taking some ill advised outside shots that nearly bent the rim they were so off. The first half was just solid for the sisters. Good shooting, good defense, and most of all good rebounding. This resulted in a nice half time lead of 11 points and the rest was just hanging on.
The second half statistically was a dead heat. It shouldn't have even been close. The ladies were shooting pretty well and still playing defense/rebounding, but lordy it got ugly in the fourth quarter. I've never seen so many unforced turnovers in a game in quite some time. None of our point guards were immune, but Maggie seemed to find multiple ways to give the ball back to OSU which led to some easy transition buckets and ame the game closer than it should have been. Bad passes, lack of focus, etc. all led to turnovers which totaled 21 for the game. More gray hair for the coaching staff.
I think from a coaching perspective, leaving Maggie out there was a good learning experience. Fen finally rescued/relieved her by bringing Rae in. Her physicality slowed down OSU and she picked up some key charging calls that forced turnovers on OSU as well. In the end it was a workmanlike victory as the ladies seemed to have answers for everything OSU had to offer.
One other area for gray hair growing is free throws. Yes, you knew I'd get there didn't you? What has happened lately to this team? Missing ten free throws and hitting only 63% is inexcusable for an ISU squad. This is another reason the game shouldn't have been close. Joens is one of the top (was) free throw shooters in the conference and in the past three games she's gone 14-25 from the line or 56%. Something is very wrong there. Fatigue? She doesn't show it on the court.
Observations:
Maggie gets the Jekyll/Hyde award for the game. She scored key baskets, made free throws, played lots of minutes, BUT she personally accounted for FOURTEEN turnovers. Is that an ISU record for one person? Is that a record for remaining in a game under Fennelly while making those mistakes?
Joens. She reminds me of Seanna Johnson from a few years ago. A person could just keep writing the same things each game and be right. Joens grinds and powers her way to double digit points and rebounds nearly every game. 23 and 14 for this one. Only blemish was her free throw shooting.
Scott. She's back folks. Playing at a consistently high level now. I caught myself wondering whether it would be she or Joens who gets knocked to the second team all conference this year. I'm guessing it will be Scott. Her all around game is in fine form right now.
Camber - not the best game offensively, but those 7 boards were huge. When you aren't scoring you show up in other places and she does. Very solid defensively.
Posts - they are dividing up the minutes between Kane, Nez and Scott. Scott gets the bulk and the other two play when needed.
Wise - still working her way back and getting key minutes. Up to about 12 this time. Still not scoring, but she does other things. Would just like to see her start to find the hoop.
Another big game this Saturday. OU is coming to town and this is a revenge game in a way. Never should have lost down there. Let's hope we are firing on all cylinders and leave the weekend in 4th place in the conference and working our way into the tournament talk again. See you all there.
