Today: Mar 28, 2024

Comeback falls short as losses pile up for women’s basketball

Edward Rudman Contributor

The women’s basketball team was not able to overcome a slow scoring first half against Stonehill College, eventually falling 64-54.

The Owls came outlooking to score a lot of points from behind the arc, but unfortunately couldn’t get shots to fall. The team was 2-15 from three in the first half and Stonehill took advantage of it by building their lead.

The score was 24-16 at halftime and the Owls were struggling to get the spark they were looking for offensively, as they scored four points in the second quarter.

The Owls came out of halftime shooting at a much higher level than in the first, going 6-14 from behind the arc and getting themselves back into the game. They trailed by as much as 37-20 in the third quarter but found themselves a rhythm in the fourth and were able to bring the score to 54-52 with 1:36 left in the game.

Stonehill felt the pressure and responded, closing the game out strong and separating themselves in the final 90 seconds, finishing the game out with a lead of 10.

Head coach Kate Lynch addressed the poor offense from three in the first half and the necessary adjustments made during halftime.

“In the second quarter, we shot 7.1 percent from the field I think and 0-7 from three. We always have a quarter, at least a game, where we’re just not shooting well but it’s not that we aren’t good shooters, it’s not like we can’t do it,” said Coach Lynch. “During halftime I just said stay the course, they’re going to fall at some point. Keep taking those open shots and they started to fall for us.”

One player who helped ignite the offense in the second half was redshirt freshman guard Alexa Kellner, who shot 4-8 from three and 5-11 overall. She also lead the team in scoring with 16 points and also recorded seven rebounds.

“I just know my role on this team which is to not stop shooting, so even if my shots aren’t going to fall, if they kick it to me and I’m open, I’m going to try my best to knock down a shot,” said Kellner.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Owls looked much better, recording eight steals and being able to capitalize on the opportunities, as they scored 23 points off turnovers. Senior guard Imani Wheeler harassed Stonehill in the passing lane, leading the Owls in steals with four.

“I have good instinct on defense. I’ve been playing a long time and I just know where I would throw it to, so I kind of just go off of that and I read their eyes,” said Wheeler. “I go off on instinct as what I would do as a point guard and a passer.”

Wheeler now has recorded three or more steals in the past five out of six games and continues to be an anchor on defense. She has also scored double-digit points in seven straight games, scoring 15 against Stonehill.

With the loss, the Owls fall to an 8-11 overall record and 2-9 in Northeast 10 conference play. There are nine games left in the season and the Owls will be looking to rattle off some wins so that they can qualify for the postseason.

“We’ve got to get ourselves a couple W’s down the stretch here and get ourselves into the playoffs; give ourselves some new life.” said Lynch. “We are young in some spots and we see the progression with all the small things we’re doing to get better. It’s anybody’s game and we’re going to be taking it one game at a time.” LossesContinued from Page 9PHOTO | HUNTER O. LYLEForward Taurus Adams II, senior, fading out of the post during a home game against Pace University on Jan. 4.PHOTO | HUNTER O. LYLEGuard Ednaija Lassiter, redshirt junior, fighting over the defense during a home game on Saturday.

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