Belles travel to Calvin for MIAA matchup
By KATIE McVOY
Associate Sports Editor
Post player Kristen Matha returned to the court Wednesday night to join a Saint Mary's team that struggled, but left Cappaert Gymnasium at Alma College feeling proud. After a seven game losing streak, the Belles team dropped the game to second-ranked Alma 56-49.
"This is probably the best we've played since the last time we played [Alma on Jan. 6]," head coach Suzanne Smith said.
In the first minutes of the game, things looked bleak for the Belles. Scots' starting forward Janell Twietmeyer came out and hit her first three shots, dropping the Belles behind seven points.
However, the Belles fought back. Matha joined the team off the bench and gave the team some motivation to get into the game.
"The team was very excited to have her back," Smith said. "I think its given the team a lift."
Matha did a lot to help a Saint Mary's offense that went into halftime down by three points, 30-27.
"Our post kind of lit up with Kristen there," Smith said. "She creates opportunities for other people."
During Wednesday's game Matha was creating opportunities for Anne Blair.
"We really feed off of each other," Matha said. "It's great being in there and playing with her."
Feeding off of each other worked well for the team of post players Wednesday. Blair led the team with 18 points and four blocks. A still-recovering Matha, who only played for 20 minutes, scored eight points, had eight rebounds and led the team with three steals.
"It felt great being back in there," Matha said.
Although the Belles kept the game close, it may have been fouls that put the final nail in the coffin. Alma players went to the foul line 22 times during the course of the game; Saint Mary's saw the line six times.
During the last several games offensive turnovers have plagued the Belles and cost them points. Wednesday marked a season low number of turnovers, with only 13.
In addition, Saint Mary's seemed to recreate team communication that has been missing.
"We really looked like a team," Smith said.
Matha attributes part of the communication and focus to being on the road.
"I love being on the road," she said. "There are no distractions and we don't have all day to think about the game."
Although Saint Mary's still fell short of a victory, the team is hoping Wednesday's good play will springboard them to a victory over Calvin College on Saturday.
"[Wednesday] came out with a lot of intensity and feeling," Smith said. "We need to do that again."
The Belles will be facing off against a Knights' team that is 4-5 in the MIAA and 9-10 overall. The Belles are 7-15 overall.
The last time these two teams met, Calvin defeated Saint Mary's 52-35. This time Saint Mary's plans to be on top.
"In the Calvin-Saint Mary's game, the only team that can beat us is Saint Mary's," Matha said.
However, a strong Calvin team will be looking for a win. Led on offense by Jennifer Playmeyer, Tara Bergsma and Emily Mejeu, who average 11, seven and seven points respectively.
Post players Matha, Blair and Kelly Roberts will have to look out for Emily Beard, who leads the Knights with seven rebounds a game.
Smith is still unsure of her starting line-up, but Matha will be back to playing a majority of the game.
Tip off is at 12:45 p.m. at Calvin.
All Sports Stories for Friday, February 2, 2001
