SMC Basketball: Belles look to keep momentum after victory
By: HEATHER VAN HOEGARDEN
Sports Writer
After getting their first win since Jan. 8, the Belles look to build off that momentum and win consecutive games for the first time since December in a Saturday afternoon matchup with Alma.
Saint Mary's broke an 11-game losing streak Wednesday with a 71-58 victory over Adrian (10-14, 3-10 in the MIAA). Another win Saturday would propel the Belles above Adrian in the MIAA standings going into Tuesday's conference tournament.
However, Alma will be no pushover, as they have three players who average in double figures. Shelly Ulfig leads the way for the Scots, as she averages 15.9 points and 12.4 rebounds per game. She is also the first woman in Alma basketball history to score 1,000 career points and grab 1,000 career rebounds.
On the other side of the court, Saint Mary's has their own standout player, in Emily Creachbaum, who recently returned from an ankle injury. She averages 12.9 points and six rebounds a game. In the Belles last meeting with the Scots, Creachbaum dropped 18 points while pulling down six boards, in a 68-54 loss. Katie Miller also played well in that loss, dishing out seven assists to go along with her eight points.
However, the Belles look to avenge the Jan. 29 home loss to the Scots on Saturday.
Saint Mary's will have to play better than they did the last time these two teams met, as the Belles only shot 33 percent from the field, compared to the Scots' 52 percent. Also, the Belles will have to pick up their rebounding if they want to avoid the negative 10 rebounding margin from the previous matchup between these teams.
Alma is a well-balanced squad that will force the Belles to play good defense in order to pull off the win. In addition to Ulfig, Karen Hall (15.5 points, 12.4 rebounds per game), and Janell Twietmeyer (10.2 points per game) will be forces to reckon with for Alma.
For the Belles, Bridget Boyce averages 7.2 points per game, and Anne Hogan adds 6.9 points and 4.6 rebounds per game as well. Both played well in Wednesday's win, with Boyce scoring 10 points.
Also coming off a strong game against Adrian is senior Shaun Russell, who scored 15 points to go along with five assists on Wednesday, and Creachbaum (16 points, 9 rebounds).
Saint Mary's and Alma square off Saturday at 3 p.m. at Alma's Cappaert Gymnasium, where the Scots have only lost two games all season.
All Sports Stories for Friday, February 21, 2003
