SMC Basketball: Belles hope to avoid sting
By: HEATHER VAN HOEGARDEN
Sports Writer
To say that Saint Mary's has had a rough 2003 would be an understatement. After winning four games in 2002, the Belles have only won one game since the New Year began, as they have lost eight in a row, with their last win coming on Jan. 8.
However, Saturday presents the Belles with yet another opportunity to turn things around, as they travel to Kalamazoo to face the Hornets, who are tied for second place in the MIAA.
Kalamazoo (12-7, 6-3 in the MIAA), comes off a 56-52 win over Alma, while the Belles (5-15, 1-8), look to rebound from a 77-47 loss to Hope. The last time these two teams met, it was a battle until the end, as the Hornets pulled away with a 60-53 victory.
These two teams are evenly matched, despite their different records. Kalamazoo is seventh in the MIAA in scoring, and Saint Mary's is eighth, averaging 59.2, and 57.1 points per game, respectively. Another plus for the Belles is that the Hornets are last in the MIAA in team rebounding, averaging only 31.5 rebounds per game. Saint Mary's has struggled in that department as well, creating an even matchup.
Sophomore forward Emily Creachbaum leads the Belles averaging 13.3 points, on 50 percent shooting, and 6.3 rebounds. However, she missed Wednesday's game with an ankle injury, and is only averaging 11.1 points and 3.6 rebounds in conference play.
Freshman guard Bridget Boyce (7.8 points per game, 80 percent from the free-throw line), and Anne Hogan (7.3 points, 5 rebounds), also contribute on the offensive end for Saint Mary's.
Kalamazoo will counter Saint Mary's with some balanced scoring of their own, led by Amanda Weishuhn, who is sixth in the MIAA, averaging 13.6 points per game, to go along with 5.9 rebounds. Vanessa Larkin (11.4 points), and Alissa Johnston (10.7 points), also average double figures for the Hornets.
Larkin, who has played well of late, was nominated for the MIAA Player of the Week, as was Saint Mary's point guard Katie Miller. Miller looks to help her team take better shots, as the Belles struggled against Hope, shooting 21 percent from the field, and are only averaging 36 percent for the season, while their opponents average 43 percent from the field.
Saint Mary's and Kalamazoo tip off at 3 p.m. at Kalamazoo's Anderson Athletic Center.
All Sports Stories for Friday, February 7, 2003
