Game Number Three Against Northwestern University

Here in Sioux City, the Lady Wildcats were looking to make the NAIA Division II Women's Tournament Semifinals for the first time since the 2009-2010 season.  The Northwestern Lady Red Raiders stood in IWU's way for that to happen.
The first half was much of a back and forth game as neither team could really take complete control.  Neither team could really get going offensively as the halftime score stood at Northwestern 21, IWU 20.  The Lady Wildcats did not make a 3-point basket or foul shot in the first half.  Those combined were a total of 0-and-5 from the field.

The second half started strong as Indiana Wesleyan got a 5 point lead to be up 30 to 25.  The Red Raiders then went on a 22-4 run to put themselves up 13, 47-to-34 with about 6 mintues to go.  The Lady Wildcats did not give up though as the hard fought comeback was on.

By the time there was 1 minute on the clock, Indiana Wesleyan was suddenly down just 2.  The next posession had Junior Guard Claire Freeman open on the left wing for 3 and it dropped to put IWU up for the first time in a long time.
Northwestern came back down the floor and Kami Kuhlmann made an open jumper to put the Raiders up 1 with 30 seconds to go.  After a timeout, IWU got the ball inside to Senior Center Krystal Stoneking for a 5-foot baby hook that hung on the rim but fell off.  The Lady Wildcats were forced to foul.  Now down 3 with 13 seconds to go Coach Steve Brooks drew up a play for Senior Guard Stephanie Burtch for 3.  The shot was short and the Red Raiders came away with the win, 57-52.
The Lady Wildcats finish a remarkable season to say the least at 33-3.  Senior Center Krystal Stoneking led IWU with 16 points and 9 rebounds.  Junior Guard Claire Freeman was the only other Wildcat in double figures with 14 points.

Dear Senior Class, Thanks!

Four seniors walked off the floor as an IWU Wildcat for the final time Saturday, March 10, 2012. 

1 Ahsley Brooks

22 Rachel Steinbarger

33 Stephanie Burtch

44 Krystal Stoneking

Although the game did not end like they would have wanted, they certainly gave us all plenty to be proud of.  As so many other games before, their desire and effort never faltered.

Their contribution to the Wildcat record book is impressive.  Just consider for a moment some of their achievements:

• 33 wins this year ties for 2^nd in school history for number of victories in a season
• Two 29-win seasons
• Three regular season MCC Championships
• Two MCC tournament championships
• 115 victories in four seasons

More importantly though, and even more impressive, is their lasting contribution to the tradition of Lady Wildcat Basketball.  Head coach Steve Brooks has often commented on their dedication to improving as athletes during the off-season.  As a group, they have demonstrated leadership both on and off the court. 

As each of them prepare for graduation and life after college this one thing will remain.  They are forever part of the Lady Wildcat Basketball family.  We have been privileged to cheer them on and are confident in their futures.  We wish them God’s blessings and say thank you for representing IWU so well!

Second Round Shake-Up

The third day of the NAIA Women’s Basketball National Championship is when things really started to get interesting.  The first round, which covers two days, held pretty much to expectations as there were no major upsets.  All four of the 1 seeds and all four of the 2 seeds advanced to the second round.  But Friday brought with it some upsets, surprises, and unbelievable finishes.
 
In the day’s most exciting (and controversial) game 1 seed Davenport lost to 4 seed Briar Cliff.  Davenport tied the ball game up 65-65 with five seconds remaining but then fouled a Briar Cliff player on the inbounds.  BC hit two game winning free throws that put them into Saturday’s quarterfinals.  Davenport was certainly a major contender for the national title but now their season is over.

The Cinderella story of the tournament is Eastern Oregon.  This 6 seed upset 2 seed Concordia (MI) in an overtime thriller.  One of the Mountaineer coaches while walking off the court said with both surprise and excitement that she will need to go buy some more outfits as she hadn’t packed for a stay through Saturday.

As the tournament moves into Saturday’s quarterfinal round here are the seeds that remain:

1 seeds:  Indiana Wesleyan, Ozarks, and Concordia (NE)
2 seeds:  Grandview, Northwestern
3 seed:  Mount Mercy
4 seed:  Briar Cliff
6 seed:  Eastern Oregon

After Saturday only four of these teams will survive and move onto Monday’s national semi-finals.  We hope to be here with WIWU on that Monday still covering the Wildcats and their quest for a championship.

Go Wildcats!
Roger Alcock

Up Next...A Familiar Foe

On Saturday the Lady Wildcats will face their toughest test of this tournament and possibly of the season as they take on Northwestern College (IA).  The Red Raiders are two-time defending National Champions and knocked the Wildcats out of last year’s tournament.

Along with Indiana Wesleyan this Northwestern squad has been one of the dominant teams in the first two rounds of 2012 NAIA DII Women’s Basketball National Championship Tournament.  In game one they defeated IU-Southeast by a score of 76-56.  Then in game two, the Red Raiders pulled away from Jamestown (ND) with a huge second half and secured an 80-58 victory.

Northwestern is led by Kendra DeJong (Jr.) who is a 6’0 forward averaging 19 points a game.  5’7 guard Kami Kuhlmann is another key player who averages 17 points per game and had 31 against Jamestown.

Again, the Wildcats will face another team that will want to push the ball up the floor.  Northwestern averages 77 points per game.  They will also look to press in the full court defensively.

Controlling tempo will be critical in game three.  This is where the Wildcats have excelled. In the first two games the Indiana Wesleyan defense has be incredible!  They have held two high scoring offenses to an average of only 41 points and both well below their shooting percentages.

We eagerly await this game and will find out if the Wildcats can continue their outstanding run.  Be sure to tune in to WIWU TV at 2:00 pm on Saturday for live coverage. 

Go Wildcats!
Roger Alcock

Women's Second Round Victory

Here in Sioux City, the #1 ranked Indiana Wesleyan Lady Wildcats came into today's 2nd round action looking to make the quarterfinal round for the 3rd consecutive year.  The Friends University Lady Falcons from Kansas stood in the team's way here inside the Tyson Events Center Gateway Arena.

The Lady Wildcats came out and potentially played their best first half of the season.  Two separate runs of 15-to-0 and then 16-to-0 gave IWU a comfortable first half lead of 39-to-10 going into the locker room.  Junior Forward Paige Smith stepped up to fill the hole left by Senior Center Krystal Stoneking who was limited due to an illness.  Smith scored 14 of her team-leading 18 points in the second half.

The second half started with a 10-to-nothing run by the Lady Wildcats to seal the game for good.  Indiana Wesleyan went on to win the game, 67-to-38.  The now 33-and-2 team will move on to play Northwestern out of Iowa for tomorrow's quarterfinal round. Along with Smith's double-double, Senior Guard Rachel Steinbarger added 16 points which tied her season high.

Round II of the NAIA Tournament

On their day off yesterday, the Lady Wildcats had many activities planned to get a little taste of Sioux City.  An activity the Wildcats take part in every year is going to Unity Elementary to minister, perform skits, and teach a lesson to the students.  The students, teachers, and principal were very excited for this event, and even lead cheers for the wildcats. They will also be coming to today’s game against Friends University.  After the event at Unity Elementary, the ladies went to the Sue Bee Honey factory for a tour the facility and how the honey is produced.  

Today, the Lady Wildcats were up early today to prepare for Round II of the NAIA tournament.  This is a big game for the Wildcats, and a strong defense is key to winning this round. Improving on their free-throw shooting will help them gain more points since their average free-throws are around 58% per game.  Friends University plays strong zone defense, so creating a healthy balance on the offense is key to winning.  Friends has a strong defense, but ladies are good at creating a defense that is just as strong.  Hopefully this will help spark their offense for a successful win!  

Game Two Scouting Report…or…Friends: Season 4

Friends University out of Wichita Falls, KS makes its fourth appearance in the NAIA National Championship Tournament and first since 2001.   The Falcons finished 23-9 overall and 16-2 during the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference portion of their schedule.  They received an automatic bid to the tournament by virtue of winning the KCAC regular season title.
 
Much credit is due head coach RaeAnn Booth.  She has turned the Falcons program around in only her second year at the helm of the program.  Her team will play an aggressive 3-2 matchup zone defense as well as trap in the full court.  Offensively, watch for them to attack the defense off the dribble and then look for an open perimiter shooter.

Led by Junior Guard Abbey Fawcett who averaged 17.7 ppg during the season the Falcons advance for the first time ever to the second round.  In their opening game victory over the College of Idaho, Fawcett had a game high 25 points.  Coach Steve Brooks commented that the Wildcats need to be ready to guard her from the moment “she steps off the bus!”

The Wildcats and Falcons tip off Friday morning at 11:15 am.  Be sure to tune into WIWU TV when our pre-game coverage begins at 11:00 am. 

Go Wildcats
Roger Alcock