Post by cowboy on Feb 25, 2012 9:25:18 GMT -5
Lady Pilots Advance to MCC Finale, Punch Ticket to NAIA Nationals
Women's Basketball - Fri, Feb 24, 2012 at 11:30 PM
Box Score
With an automatic spot in the upcoming NAIA National Tournament on the line, there were plenty of heroes Friday night in the Lady Pilots 60-47 semi-final victory over Huntington University.
Junior sharpshooter Laura Johnson got things started quickly for Bethel, nailing two three pointers to give BC an early five point lead but it was the first half spark of freshman Chelsea Ward and the inspired play of senior center Sarah Clark that ignited the Lady Pilots in the first half. Ward and Clark came off the bench amidst BC foul trouble and combined for 15 first half points as Bethel finished the half on a 16-2 run and held a 36-22 lead at the break. Ward, stepping in at the point for the foul plagued Katy Stuppy, scored seven points and dished out two assists, while Clark, the Lady Pilots lone senior, was four for five from the floor for eight points. Bethel was 6 for 12 from behind the arc in the opening half and forced 13 Forester turnovers before the break.
Huntington chipped away in the second half, but never managed to get closer than five as BC picked up the defensive pressure, built their lead back up to 16 and closed out the game.
Johnson led the way for BC, scoring 19 points, while dishing out three assist and snaring four steals. Clark, playing in Gates Gymnasium for her final time, added 12 points and six rebounds. The Lady Pilots were also sparked by Ward's first half play and by Ashlee Ort, who continually mopped the floor diving with desperation for the basketball. Alyssa Toupin brought her typical defensive prowess and grabbed a game high seven rebounds.
"So much to say and not enough room in this article to express my feelings for this team," said BC Coach Jody Martinez as he enjoyed his celebratory post-game Pepsi Cola. "I couldn't have asked God for a better ending at home for our only senior Sarah Clark. She played like a Division I center tonight. So proud of her! Laura Johnson had a hot hand tonight shooting from the outside and I thought Chelsea Ward and Ashley Lutz gave us some key minutes. Ashlee Ort was all over the court today getting deflections; Kristen Hicks and Alyssa Toupin did a great job on the boards. This junior class is amazing with their commitment to role-playing (Georgia Boisse, Baysia Cox, Alyshia Harvey, Kristen Hicks, Chrissy Hooks, Laura Johnson, Ashlee Ort, Katy Stuppy, and Alyssa Toupin). Most of these juniors played JV basketball the last two seasons and here they are heading to the NAIA National Tournament. This season is a reflection of team unity and a passion to be the best," added Martinez.
The NAIA No. 18 Lady Pilots head to Marion, Ind. Monday, February 26th for a battle with NAIA No. 1 Indiana Wesleyan. Both IWU and Bethel will then travel to Sioux City, Iowa for the NAIA DII National Tournament on March 7-13.
Women's Basketball - Fri, Feb 24, 2012 at 11:30 PM
Box Score
With an automatic spot in the upcoming NAIA National Tournament on the line, there were plenty of heroes Friday night in the Lady Pilots 60-47 semi-final victory over Huntington University.
Junior sharpshooter Laura Johnson got things started quickly for Bethel, nailing two three pointers to give BC an early five point lead but it was the first half spark of freshman Chelsea Ward and the inspired play of senior center Sarah Clark that ignited the Lady Pilots in the first half. Ward and Clark came off the bench amidst BC foul trouble and combined for 15 first half points as Bethel finished the half on a 16-2 run and held a 36-22 lead at the break. Ward, stepping in at the point for the foul plagued Katy Stuppy, scored seven points and dished out two assists, while Clark, the Lady Pilots lone senior, was four for five from the floor for eight points. Bethel was 6 for 12 from behind the arc in the opening half and forced 13 Forester turnovers before the break.
Huntington chipped away in the second half, but never managed to get closer than five as BC picked up the defensive pressure, built their lead back up to 16 and closed out the game.
Johnson led the way for BC, scoring 19 points, while dishing out three assist and snaring four steals. Clark, playing in Gates Gymnasium for her final time, added 12 points and six rebounds. The Lady Pilots were also sparked by Ward's first half play and by Ashlee Ort, who continually mopped the floor diving with desperation for the basketball. Alyssa Toupin brought her typical defensive prowess and grabbed a game high seven rebounds.
"So much to say and not enough room in this article to express my feelings for this team," said BC Coach Jody Martinez as he enjoyed his celebratory post-game Pepsi Cola. "I couldn't have asked God for a better ending at home for our only senior Sarah Clark. She played like a Division I center tonight. So proud of her! Laura Johnson had a hot hand tonight shooting from the outside and I thought Chelsea Ward and Ashley Lutz gave us some key minutes. Ashlee Ort was all over the court today getting deflections; Kristen Hicks and Alyssa Toupin did a great job on the boards. This junior class is amazing with their commitment to role-playing (Georgia Boisse, Baysia Cox, Alyshia Harvey, Kristen Hicks, Chrissy Hooks, Laura Johnson, Ashlee Ort, Katy Stuppy, and Alyssa Toupin). Most of these juniors played JV basketball the last two seasons and here they are heading to the NAIA National Tournament. This season is a reflection of team unity and a passion to be the best," added Martinez.
The NAIA No. 18 Lady Pilots head to Marion, Ind. Monday, February 26th for a battle with NAIA No. 1 Indiana Wesleyan. Both IWU and Bethel will then travel to Sioux City, Iowa for the NAIA DII National Tournament on March 7-13.