Spokane stops Lady Devils
Saturday, March 1, 2008 6:37 AM PST
By Rick McCorkle
rmccorkle@tdn.com
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E-mail this articleKENNEWICK - Poor shooting, coupled with being taken out of their game plan, was a recipe for disaster for the Lower Columbia College Lady Devils as they dropped a 60-35 decision to sixth-ranked Spokane in the quarterfinals of the NWAACC Women's Basketball Championships at the Toyota Center on Friday.
LCC (22-7) plays Yakima Valley in a loser-out game at noon today. A victory would put the Lady Devils in the fourth-place game at noon Sunday.
"It was a tough night for Red Devil basketball," LCC coach Chad Meadors said. "We didn't shoot the ball well, and they (the Sasquatch) grinded it out a little better than we did. They handled our pressure better than we handled them playing behind us in the post and taking away our drives."
The Lady Devils' ice-cold offense managed six points through the first 14 minutes of the game, and trailed 23-13 at halftime. LCC made 25 percent of its first-half shots (5-of-20), but dipped to 22 percent in the final 20 minutes (7-of-32).
"Our coaching staff didn't adjust well, and Spokane played better than we did in every facet of the game," Meadors said. "Loose balls, steals and offensive rebounds, all things based on sheer preparation and effort. When we get beat in those areas, I will guarantee a lower score on our end of the scoreboard."
At the other end, Spokane turned up the second-half offensive pressure by hitting 13-of-24 shots. The Sasquatch defense also forced 21 LCC turnovers and made eight steals.
"Knocking down shots creates momentum, but we couldn't do that," Meadors said. "We weren't getting good shots or good looks at the basket. We weren't creating penetration, and at no point were we able to beat them off the dribble to create 2-on-1 situations so we could pass ahead to the open player."
Rene'e Evans was one of the few bright spots for LCC, scoring a game-high 13 points and finishing a rebound shy of a double-double with nine. Jessi Hanna grabbed five rebounds and dished three assists, and Nadra Evans chipped in six points and four rebounds.
"It'll be a challenge to get the girls to bounce back after this game," Meadors added. "We still have an opportunity to bring home a trophy, and it'll be a good test for us. I'm hoping and expecting the girls to respond and play it out."
Sasquatch 60, Lady Devils 35
SPOKANE (60) -
Kellee Neal 11, Kelsey Stillar 9, Ashlee Michelson 9, Ren Mallory 8, Liz Beardslee 8, Richelle Daily 6, Jade Peone 3, Kyl Quayle 2, Patty Duncan 2, Eleaya Schuerch 2, Katie Allen 0, Katrina Clough 0.
LOWER COLUMBIA (35) -
Nadra Evans 6, Katie Garcin 4, Jessi Hanna 3, Holly Weston 2, Heidi Jackson 2, Rene'e Evans 13, Kristina Craft 3, Megan Holmes 2, Kelsey Forrest 0, Kasey Craft 0, Kourtney Craft 0, Jordan Budd 0.
Halftime:
SCC 23, LCC 13.
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