SMC BASKETBALL: Belles seek home upset
BY TREY WILLIAMS
Sports Writer
The "upset" has become as much a part of sports as the players and coaches who make it all possible.
Perhaps that's just one of the reasons why Saint Mary's basketball team goes into its match against the third-ranked team in the conference with a positive attitude and outlook.
The Belles (5-12) don't expect to be the favorites as they square off against the Scots (10-5) of Alma College, coming in with a five game losing streak, but that hasn't distorted their image of themselves.
"A lot of teams are going to underestimate us at this point, and I think we can use that to our advantage," said guard Katie Boyce. "We're a stronger team than we've shown and we know that."
The Belles have had a rough past couple of weeks, losing their last three games on the road.
However, with the home-court advantage, a long standing school rivalry, and the challenge of facing the third-ranked team in the MIAA, coach Suzanne Bellina and her squad believe they can take the season in a new direction.
"I think returning to their home court will definitely motivate [the team] to play their best," said Bellina. "Alma has also been a rival of ours for a while, and I think these factors challenge the team to perform well."
Besides playing on their own turf, the Belles have yet another advantage over the Scots, and that is the depth of their bench.
Forward Emily Creachbaum, who has shot for 43 percent from the field this season, leads the Belles. Creachbaum is backed by guard Maureen Bush who has shot for 42 percent.
All Sports Stories for Wednesday, January 29, 2003
