SMC BASKETBALL: Belles take on top-ranked Flying Dutch
By JOE LINDSLEY
Sports Writer
Wednesday night could be a lopsided battle for the Belles of Saint Mary's as they try to swat down the Flying Dutch of Hope, who are soaring high on the wings of a 20-1 season.
Hope leads the MIAA with nine conference wins and just a single loss — a loss that ended a 39-game winning streak. Saint Mary's is second to last in the MIAA, 3-7 in conference play and 7-14 overall.
Hope scores an average of 75.1 points per game and allows opponents 53.0. Saint Mary's scores an average of 57.4 points a game and allows 62.1.
Hope's Becky Sutton leads the conference in 3-point shooting, making 46.5 percent of her shots from beyond the arc. Saint Mary's has the worst field goal shooting percentage in the conference, making 30.7 of their attempts from the floor.
Hope leads the league in average assists per game with 15.9. Saint Mary's has the MIAA's fewest average assists per game with 11.71.
The Belles do have an important asset tonight though. Yes, there is Hope, but there is also hope.
Hope's best player Amanda Kerkstra has been out for the past two weeks due to injury. On bright side for Saint Mary's, the Belles are riding on a surge of confidence after they upset conference rival Alma, 50-43 on Sunday. They are prepared for another upset.
"That was what we talked about last game, and that's the thing we really have to think of. We don't know what they're expecting of us, but I can't wait to play them. Our team's really excited," said sophomore Katie Miller. "You love to play teams that are the best. It's always good to play a team that's ranked to see where you stand."
The Belles lost to Hope at home 73-56 on Jan. 12, but they feel they have made important changes to their game, especially defensively, and to their overall approach to teamwork since then.
"I think our defense overall has improved, so that's something we're going to keep focusing on against Hope and during the rest of the season," Miller said.
There are a few areas the Belles have been focusing on in practice — danger areas that could not only cost them the game, but lead to a blowout.
"We need to come out a lot more confidant, knowing that we can play with them," said freshman Emily Creachbaum. "Even though we were down [when the Belles played Hope Jan. 12], we played with them. We need to come out, have a good start, and carry through."
"[We need to be] steady throughout the game and not [go] through ups and downs where we're trailing and then fighting back. Catch-up is not fun to play with them," Miller said.
Additionally, coach Suzanne Smith has been critical of the Belles' many turnovers this season. They must hang on to the ball against Hope's powerful defense, which averages 12.38 steals per game.
The mental tenacity of the Belles will play a pivotal role in whether or not they succeed tonight. Even with their new-born confidence stemming from their upset over Alma, Saint Mary's must not let Hope's home crowd advantage demoralize them.
"Hope probably has one of the best crowds. They get a lot of people to watch their games because it's a small town and that's the main highlight. We need to ignore that and play above it," Creachbaum said.
"Our goal is to expect to win, and play to win. And so much [care about] what we're ranked in the conference," Miller said. "We know that we can beat this team. Anything can happen on any given night."
Notes:
* Senior forward Anne Blair, the Belles' leading scorer, is questionable for tonight's game because of an injured thumb.
All Sports Stories for Wednesday, February 6, 2002
