SMC Basketball: Hornets sting Belles in blowout
By HEATHER VAN HOEGARDEN
Sports Writer
Saint Mary's (5-16, 1-9) didn't give themselves a chance on Saturday afternoon, as the Hornets of Kalamazoo (13-7, 7-3) jumped on the Belles early, building a 14-point halftime lead on the way to a 69-43 victory.
Amanda Weishuhn led the charge against the Belles with 18 points on 7-for-10 from the field. She was one of three Hornets in double figures, as Vanessa Larkin shot 4-for-5 from three-point range, on her way to 16 points and five assists, and Alissa Johnston added 10 points.
Post play was the story of Saturday's game, as Saint Mary's was outscored in the paint 28-8 by the dominating Kalamazoo post players. However the Belles were once again without their leading scorer, forward Emily Creachbaum (13.3 points, 6.3 rebounds per game).
On a positive note, Maureen Bush, played extremely well for Saint Mary's, scoring eight points to go along with her game high 10 rebounds. Despite her efforts, Kalamazoo was just too much for the overmatched Saint Mary's, as they jumped out to a 32-18 halftime lead.
"We got off to a slow start and we just never got going to make up for the points," said Bush. "Every loss is disappointing, but we really did expect to play with them."
Despite only losing 60-53 to Kalamazoo earlier in the year, Saint Mary's is not getting down on themselves, however, even after their ninth straight loss. Kalamazoo's shooting did not keep Saturday's game within reach, as they shot 51 percent from the field as a team, and 54 percent beyond the three-point arc. Meanwhile, Saint Mary's only shot 33 percent from the field and 54 percent from the line.
Katie Miller led the Belles with 10 points, on 4-for-8 shooting. However, she was the only Belle in double digits, as Saint Mary's struggled on the offensive end. Contributing to the Belles' offensive woes was the Kalamazoo defense, who capitalized on 25 Belle turnovers with 33 points.
However, despite claiming last place in the nation's oldest conference, the MIAA, the Belles continue to uphold the positive attitude that has been apparent in both coach Suzanne Bellina and her players, as they return home for Wednesday's game.
"We have to go into every game with confidence," said Bush, a sophomore. "We just need to find a way to win them, but these next teams we feel are very beatable teams."
Saint Mary's returns to the Angela Athletic Center to face Albion (13-8, 6-4). The Britons enter the game after a big victory at Calvin College tied them for third place in the MIAA.
All Sports Stories for Monday, February 10, 2003
