SMC Basketball: Belles look to deck the halls of Angela with a win
By HEATHER VAN HOEGARDEN
Sports Writer
The Belles of Saint Mary's have been playing well this season despite a record of 2-3. They took second place last weekend in their own tournament, losing in overtime to the University of Chicago. However, the Belles have had some time off are ready to bounce back against Goshen College (5-3).
Goshen, meanwhile, comes off a championship weekend, as they won their own tournament, defeating Purdue Calumet in the championship game. The Leafs have started strong thus far, as they have already played eight games. They are a new team with a first-year coach in Steve Wiktorowski. Goshen has had to adjust this season after losing a four-year starting point guard and a NAIA All-American forward. However, they look to present a challenge for the Belles.
Goshen is an experienced team with three seniors and four juniors. These players have looked to help their four freshmen through the adjustment to the college game. They have had more games than the Saint Mary's freshmen to learn the college game and look to take advantage of this experience.
Saint Mary's enters Wednesday's game hungry for a win. The Belles would love to avenge last season's 73-54 loss to the Leafs. It is their last home game until Jan. 11 and they would like a win before they go on the road for two weeks.
Leading the Belles is sophomore forward Emily Creachbaum and senior guard Shaun Russell. Both were named to the all-tournament team in the SMC Roundball Classic over the weekend.
Russell is the only senior on a relatively young squad and she is the true leader of the team, contributing not only points, rebounds, assists and steals, but invaluable leadership as well.
"I feel as though it is my job to make sure that everyone, especially the freshman, is very confident. We need them just as much as everyone else. On this team, everyone is very important," said Russell.
Creachbaum leads the Belles in scoring, with 16.2 points per game and freshman guard Bridget Boyce is averaging 9.2 points. These two lead a balanced scoring attack that confuses defenses, as there is no one player to key on. Boyce leads a corps of 3-point shooters, and Creachbaum is joined by Anne Hogan and Maureen Bush underneath.
The Belles face the Leafs tonight at 7 at the Angela Athletic Facility.
Contact Heather Van Hoegarden at hvanhoeg@nd.edu
All Sports Stories for Wednesday, December 11, 2002
