Belles lose tough game to Albion
By HEATHER VAN
HOEGARDEN
Saint Mary's had high hopes heading into Saturday's game against the Britons of Albion (10-5, 3-1). However, the streaking Britons were not to be denied their third straight victory, as they pulled away with a 68-58 victory at home.
Albion's Sarah Caskey led the Britons with 17 points, six assists and five rebounds, while teammates Angie Spain and Jocelyn Zappla each added 14 and 11 points, respectively.
Saint Mary's jumped out to an 8-4 lead, but Albion responded with eight unanswered points and didn't look back.
The loss was the third in a row for Saint Mary's. The team hasn't won since Jan. 8 when they beat Olivet to open conference play.
The struggling Belles have been dominated on the boards and no player has stepped up to take the lead of the young, but talented team.
Coach Suzanne Bellina said she was disappointed with the team's play of late.
"We go into every MIAA game thinking that we can win," Bellina said. "Especially on Saturday, because we thought that we had some very good match-ups. We got beat on the boards, we were out hustled, and we just aren't playing with the desire or heart it takes to win."
The loss puts the Belles (5-10, 1-3) into a four-way tie in the MIAA with Calvin, Adrian, and Olivet. Albion, meanwhile moved into second place with the victory.
Emily Creachbaum led the Belles with 16 points, going 8-14 from the field. Creachbaum has been one of the few positives for the Belles as she was nominated for MIAA player of the week.
Bridget Boyce was the only other Belle in double digits, netting 10 points. Senior starter Shaunj11 Russell did not play due to a coach's decision.
Bellina said she is still searching for a unit that works well together.
"[The lineup] is just a question of how people practice," Bellina said. "But we absolutely need a win."
The Belles look to rebound in the MIAA Wednesday when they travel to Calvin College to face the Knights. Calvin is coming off an 89-51 loss to Hope College. That loss dropped the Knights to 10-5 overall and 1-3 in MIAA conference play.
All Sports Stories for Tuesday, January 21, 2003
