Belles earn first win of season at home
By KATIE McVOY
Sports Writer
The Saint Mary's basketball team claimed its first win of the season Saturday against Olivet College 67-63, breaking an 18-game losing streak.
Saint Mary's came into the game immediately behind Olivet in MIAA rankings and was looking for the win.
"We came into this game knowing that we could beat Olivet," freshman Kristen Matha said. "Knowing we were able to win gave us the edge."
The last time Saint Mary's and Olivet met, Olivet came out on top, winning in the last minute of the game. This time the Belles had home court advantage.
"We knew that this was do or die," sophomore Jamie Stouffer said. "If we didn't win this one we might not win one all season, so we felt the urgency to go out there and take this one."
"We knew we could go in there and win," junior Julie Norman added. "We were willing to give whatever it took to win this game."
Coach Dave Roeder started the game with a different line-up, starting Kelly Jones, Kristen Matha, Kelly Robetrs, Julie Norman and Mary Campione.
"I started a taller line-up to see if we could rebound better," Roeder said. "If we could control the rebound, then we could control the game."
Saint Mary's did control the rebound with 47 total rebounds during the game.
"Trying something new got us off on the right foot," Norman said.
The Belles took the lead early in the game by scoring nine unanswered points. The rest of the game was a struggle, with Saint Mary's and Olivet exchanging the lead. Saint Mary's had a two point lead heading into the second half.
"The second half was ugly," Norman said. "But we kept our composure and that was what made the difference."
Ten minutes into the second half the Lady Comets made two three-point shots, taking the lead and forcing the Belles to fight back.
Saint Mary's responded with three straight scoring possessions that resulted in nine points. Julie Norman, Jaime Dineen and Jamie Stouffer made three consecutive three point shots and the Belles kept the lead the rest of the game.
With a minute and a half left in the game, freshman Kristen Matha made a three point play on a foul and Mary Campione sealed the win with 2 foul shots with 22 seconds remaining.
Saturday's win was a team effort.
"We played 11 women and all 11 women contributed," Roeder said.
Four women from the Saint Mary's team finished the game with total points in double digits. Jones led the team with 14 points. Norman followed with 12 points, and teammates Roberts and Dineen both scored ten points. Roberts led the team with 11 rebounds with help from Matha and Jones who scored seven and six rebounds respectively.
"It was a total team effort," Matha said. "Every single person who came off the bench contributed to the win."
Following Saturday's game the Belles enjoyed the feel of victory, with hugs and high-fives.
"We swarmed them," Norman said. "It was really fun."
The Belles face Kalamazoo College this Wednesday and they are going to use this win to their advantage.
"We're going to play the people that got the job done," Roeder said.
Stouffer added, "This gives us more motivation to practice hard and to try to go out there and get some more wins."
All Sports Stories for Tuesday, February 1, 2000
