McPherson College's Andi Wilder tries to dribble out of trouble in action Monday.
Mac women end season
McPherson College's Andi Wilder tries to dribble out of trouble in action Monday. |
By STEVE SELL, Sentinel Sports Editor
The so-called "book" on stopping the Saint Mary Bulldogs is to let them fire away from the outside and concentrate on stopping their inside game.
McPherson College's Bulldogs should have thrown "the book" away here Monday night.
The Spires, particularly guard Amy Balk, came out firing, as six of their first eight field goals were treys, and they lived off an early lead the rest of the way for a 73-60 victory in one of the KCAC's two play-in games.
The Spires go on to Sterling Wednesday to play the KCAC champions.
McPherson coach Mel Wright said the Spires' outside prowess caught him off guard.
"That really startled me," Wright said. "I was looking at those stats today and saw they were way down there in 3-point shooting (Saint Mary shoots 29 percent from 3-point, ninth in the conference). They came out and just riddled our zone."
The Spires made 8 of 14 treys in the first half to build a 38-30 lead and Mac never got closer than six the rest of the way.
The Bulldogs' lack of height and depth proved detrimental. With Ashley Kline out with illness and Kathy Tello having left the team recently, Erica Alvarez basically was left on an island inside as the Bulldogs have little other size.
Alvarez, in her final game as a Bulldog, went down valiantly, scoring 18 points and grabbing 9 rebounds. She finished her career with 1,509 points, second on the all-time Mac list to Carol Zink, who had 1,570.
"We're really going to miss that young lady next year," Wright said.
Balk led the Spires with 19 points. LeeAnn Vinyard and Amber Seevers scored 13 apiece, and Jennifer Sigel added 10.
Crystal Richardson was the only other Bulldog in double figures with 11.
Mac closed the year 11-16 after a 7-1 start. It loses Alvarez and Andi Wilder, but should have everyone else back. Wright said a point of emphasis in recruiting will be inside personnel, as the Bulldogs have good perimeter players, but not the size to combat opponents inside.
Mac (60) -- Schierling 3 0-0 9; Blose 2 2-3 7; Richardson 3 4-4 11; Mayhan 0 5-6 5; Wilder 2 2-2 8; Bevan 1 0-0 2; Alvarez 8 2-5 18. Totals -- 19 15-20 60. 3-pointers -- Schierling 3, Wilder 2, Blose 1, Richardson 1.
Saint Mary (73) -- Vinyard 5 0-3 13; Balk 6 2-2 19; Madron 0 4-4 4; Norby 2 0-0 4; Hankins 3 3-4 9; Sigel 4 0-0 10; Seevers 4 5-6 13; Mears 0 1-2 1. Totals -- 24 15-21 73. 3-pointers -- Balk 5, Vinyard 3.