These were the best of times and the worst of times. It was a night that would bring victory after some very strange twists and turns. Let's start with the worst of it.
Bolte couldn't find the inside of the basket most of the evening going 3 for 16. Perhaps the worst was getting a nice feed, having a wide open lane to the hoop and clanking a clear layup. The look on her face afterwards (this was miss # 10 or 11) told it all. It wasn't her night.
Prins missed some point blank bunnies. Pop missed a couple too. The worst? Prins airballs a layup, Pop gets the board and promptly airballs her point blank shot.
Cole had to play extensive time at the point and had some ugly turnovers. Some of the unforced variety.
Loz either wouldn't shoot or couldn't find the basket.
Big C was "manhandled" most of the evening by the rough and tough Texas defenders.
I'm sure there are a few other examples, but that gives you the idea of the downside of the night. What was the upside?
This was a game between two very evenly matched teams. Perhaps the only difference is that ISU was rated and UT wasn't. Both teams had some good wins and both had disappeared in some ugly losses. Both teams were 6-6 in the conference. Both teams were coming off games Saturday although Texas had a blow out loss and ISU had a blowout win. I have to mention that the sight of Hilton decked out in white (t-shirts over every seat) was amazing. The picture can be found on line. It was definitely a "white-out."
From the get-go, the game was a scratch your eyes out, rough and tumble battle. Neither of the teams were able to build a lead that lasted very long. Perhaps the most anticlimactic moment was Bolte opening up the night with a three that set the team record for consecutive games with a three. We needed to cherish it because the night behind the stripe would belong to UT not the sisters.
The teams would go back and forth throughout the first half trading turnovers, baskets, and showing hard nosed defense. Two things helped both teams. For UT, it was mental lapses on D by the ladies in red that led to some uncontested three point baskets. I'm not sure what she has done all year, but #5 for UT (Kathleen Nash) scares me. She is an athlete that can slash to the hole and has the prettiest three point shot next to Bolte (when she's hitting). She seemed to come up with some daggers against us and I couldn't believe Gail didn't have her in the game more. The stats say she had 39 minutes but I know that can't be right as she sat a big chunk of the first half with 2 fouls. For ISU, it would be those fouls that would help. While UT was hitting 3's, we were hitting free throws. UT's big girls got called for about 60% of the fouls they committed and by game's end two of the three would foul out. ISU would go on to hit 13 of 18 free throws…not the best percentage, but Pop was the big beneficiary and we all know that her free throw shooting can often be an adventure. Her hitting 75% was a good thing.
I kept looking at the stat board all night and it matched what we saw on the court. In the beginning both teams were shooting hot (over 50%). This settled down as the the teams did and throughout the night the stat lines were nearly identical. Same shooting percentages, steals, turnovers, etc. The key separator was rebounds as ISU would lead that category throughout and end up with a 44-37 total (which was closer due to some late flurries by UT where the missed and got offensive boards).
This was a nail bitter all the way with neither team being able to put the other away. At one point UT would score two 3's to go up six (a couple of defensive lapses) and I thought that actually could be trouble. I resorted to the "power of the pops" and the game was on. From the 6 1/2 minute mark on the ladies not only fought back, but seemed to take control of the game. It honestly felt like UT was in catch-up mode from that point on. The heartbreak struck. ISU was nursing a lead, had the chance to score and go up by two possessions and…boom…the tire went flat. We missed and UT would score and easy layup to tie the game. Bolt would have the last shot and just like the rest of the night her jumper from the free throw line bounced out. Overtime.
The overtime period was a thing of beauty. ISU dominated from the jump ball (again the officials had to go to the video review to determine who won the jump after it went out of bounds. Personally I think they played rock, paper scissors and gave it to UT). The ladies literally kicked butt outscoring the longhorns 12-3 in the overtime. I think the schedule and travel caught up with UT a bit more than us as they didn't seem to even get close with most of their shots. The tank was empty and two of their big girls were on the bench after fouling out. The crowd stood and roared on every defensive stand ISU would make. This was fun to watch. I watched Bolt miss another and had just told my dad that she was going to make one that was important and whamo! (like the batman sound effects?) she closed the night with a dagger three that made our lead too much for UT. Game over. Turn out the lights. ISU wins 66-57.
Jess started for the sisters for the second straight game. I like what she brings to the court. I also like that she is a well spoken young woman as she was interviewed after the game. Four points, five boards and some great defense. I like her style.
Another player that impressed me was Cole. Yes, she had a couple of "doh!" moments with turnovers (that was it - only two), but she had to spend a lot of time leading the team while Loz had foul trouble. Cole did a fantastic job and honestly brought a bit more energy at times to the game.
Bolt. Coach F said after the game he should have pulled her to give her time to get her legs, but kept thinking she was going to hit the next shot. She didn't. She really struggled from the field missing wide open shots with seeming ease. What she did do was important. She sealed the record for ISU and she hit a dagger three pointer in overtime that gave ISU an insurmountable lead. During the first half she stopped shooting and obviously Bill challenged her at halftime. In the second she kept trying even while missing.
Big C is showing a maturity and has obviously adjusted to the Big 12 style game. Some of the shots she made were purely athletic as she bends and moves like no other person on our team. She just gets beat up at times because of her "size." I suspect we will see that change some during the coming years.
Prins looks like she is growing up too. She played some very good defense and after missing some early bunnies she settled down and calmly scored 13. What she still needs to work on is strength. She had numerous boards taken away from her. She was also obviously tired as her sweet three point shot (made one) was way off most of the night.
Loz had a rough night. Got into foul trouble as some were not "smart." She reminds me of a little dog that keeps coming after your ankle. She never backs down, never stops coming at you. She has a lot of bark and some bite. I think the fouls never really allowed her to get into the game the way she normally does and she had a shooting night comparable to Bolt's.
Player of the game - Pop. Very workmanlike performance. She rebounded. She scored hard baskets underneath. She hit free throws. She had attitude. She did what we needed to win this one by scoring 23, grabbing 11 boards, and playing hard nosed defense while only committing 2 fouls. Wow. Very fun to watch.
The crowd was probably the best I've experienced this season. They were loud from the opening horn and I think helped the ladies. This was especially true in OT as they willed the ladies to play outstanding defense that shut UT down.
The officials were the most clueless bunch of pinstripes that I think I've ever seen. I took my dad to this game (his first in a long time) and he said the game was obviously moving faster than these three boneheads could keep up with. They either missed calls, actually got some right or had to refer to the video replay to make decisions (which the did 3-4 times). Terrible group that I hope I never see again.
Tough gritty game by both squads. One last observation. Watch the way Bill Fennelly coaches, interacts with players, talks to the officials, etc. Then watch other coaches. Gail's players mirrored her just as Bill's players mirror him. You NEVER see our players whining to an official about a foul call. You saw UT players (especially #22 - Ashley Gail) walking around with the "who, me?" look and whining to the officials all night. Gail pretty much did the same. I wonder if ESPN caught her on national TV throwing her clip board to the floor in disgust?
Three games left. Our seed in the tourney is waiting. Big one at KSU Sat and then back home Tuesday for a rematch with KU. Be there people. This is getting fun.
Make sure you see the post game video at:
Post-game Lockerroom Celebration vs. Texas - Cyclones.com
Bolte couldn't find the inside of the basket most of the evening going 3 for 16. Perhaps the worst was getting a nice feed, having a wide open lane to the hoop and clanking a clear layup. The look on her face afterwards (this was miss # 10 or 11) told it all. It wasn't her night.
Prins missed some point blank bunnies. Pop missed a couple too. The worst? Prins airballs a layup, Pop gets the board and promptly airballs her point blank shot.
Cole had to play extensive time at the point and had some ugly turnovers. Some of the unforced variety.
Loz either wouldn't shoot or couldn't find the basket.
Big C was "manhandled" most of the evening by the rough and tough Texas defenders.
I'm sure there are a few other examples, but that gives you the idea of the downside of the night. What was the upside?
This was a game between two very evenly matched teams. Perhaps the only difference is that ISU was rated and UT wasn't. Both teams had some good wins and both had disappeared in some ugly losses. Both teams were 6-6 in the conference. Both teams were coming off games Saturday although Texas had a blow out loss and ISU had a blowout win. I have to mention that the sight of Hilton decked out in white (t-shirts over every seat) was amazing. The picture can be found on line. It was definitely a "white-out."
From the get-go, the game was a scratch your eyes out, rough and tumble battle. Neither of the teams were able to build a lead that lasted very long. Perhaps the most anticlimactic moment was Bolte opening up the night with a three that set the team record for consecutive games with a three. We needed to cherish it because the night behind the stripe would belong to UT not the sisters.
The teams would go back and forth throughout the first half trading turnovers, baskets, and showing hard nosed defense. Two things helped both teams. For UT, it was mental lapses on D by the ladies in red that led to some uncontested three point baskets. I'm not sure what she has done all year, but #5 for UT (Kathleen Nash) scares me. She is an athlete that can slash to the hole and has the prettiest three point shot next to Bolte (when she's hitting). She seemed to come up with some daggers against us and I couldn't believe Gail didn't have her in the game more. The stats say she had 39 minutes but I know that can't be right as she sat a big chunk of the first half with 2 fouls. For ISU, it would be those fouls that would help. While UT was hitting 3's, we were hitting free throws. UT's big girls got called for about 60% of the fouls they committed and by game's end two of the three would foul out. ISU would go on to hit 13 of 18 free throws…not the best percentage, but Pop was the big beneficiary and we all know that her free throw shooting can often be an adventure. Her hitting 75% was a good thing.
I kept looking at the stat board all night and it matched what we saw on the court. In the beginning both teams were shooting hot (over 50%). This settled down as the the teams did and throughout the night the stat lines were nearly identical. Same shooting percentages, steals, turnovers, etc. The key separator was rebounds as ISU would lead that category throughout and end up with a 44-37 total (which was closer due to some late flurries by UT where the missed and got offensive boards).
This was a nail bitter all the way with neither team being able to put the other away. At one point UT would score two 3's to go up six (a couple of defensive lapses) and I thought that actually could be trouble. I resorted to the "power of the pops" and the game was on. From the 6 1/2 minute mark on the ladies not only fought back, but seemed to take control of the game. It honestly felt like UT was in catch-up mode from that point on. The heartbreak struck. ISU was nursing a lead, had the chance to score and go up by two possessions and…boom…the tire went flat. We missed and UT would score and easy layup to tie the game. Bolt would have the last shot and just like the rest of the night her jumper from the free throw line bounced out. Overtime.
The overtime period was a thing of beauty. ISU dominated from the jump ball (again the officials had to go to the video review to determine who won the jump after it went out of bounds. Personally I think they played rock, paper scissors and gave it to UT). The ladies literally kicked butt outscoring the longhorns 12-3 in the overtime. I think the schedule and travel caught up with UT a bit more than us as they didn't seem to even get close with most of their shots. The tank was empty and two of their big girls were on the bench after fouling out. The crowd stood and roared on every defensive stand ISU would make. This was fun to watch. I watched Bolt miss another and had just told my dad that she was going to make one that was important and whamo! (like the batman sound effects?) she closed the night with a dagger three that made our lead too much for UT. Game over. Turn out the lights. ISU wins 66-57.
Jess started for the sisters for the second straight game. I like what she brings to the court. I also like that she is a well spoken young woman as she was interviewed after the game. Four points, five boards and some great defense. I like her style.
Another player that impressed me was Cole. Yes, she had a couple of "doh!" moments with turnovers (that was it - only two), but she had to spend a lot of time leading the team while Loz had foul trouble. Cole did a fantastic job and honestly brought a bit more energy at times to the game.
Bolt. Coach F said after the game he should have pulled her to give her time to get her legs, but kept thinking she was going to hit the next shot. She didn't. She really struggled from the field missing wide open shots with seeming ease. What she did do was important. She sealed the record for ISU and she hit a dagger three pointer in overtime that gave ISU an insurmountable lead. During the first half she stopped shooting and obviously Bill challenged her at halftime. In the second she kept trying even while missing.
Big C is showing a maturity and has obviously adjusted to the Big 12 style game. Some of the shots she made were purely athletic as she bends and moves like no other person on our team. She just gets beat up at times because of her "size." I suspect we will see that change some during the coming years.
Prins looks like she is growing up too. She played some very good defense and after missing some early bunnies she settled down and calmly scored 13. What she still needs to work on is strength. She had numerous boards taken away from her. She was also obviously tired as her sweet three point shot (made one) was way off most of the night.
Loz had a rough night. Got into foul trouble as some were not "smart." She reminds me of a little dog that keeps coming after your ankle. She never backs down, never stops coming at you. She has a lot of bark and some bite. I think the fouls never really allowed her to get into the game the way she normally does and she had a shooting night comparable to Bolt's.
Player of the game - Pop. Very workmanlike performance. She rebounded. She scored hard baskets underneath. She hit free throws. She had attitude. She did what we needed to win this one by scoring 23, grabbing 11 boards, and playing hard nosed defense while only committing 2 fouls. Wow. Very fun to watch.
The crowd was probably the best I've experienced this season. They were loud from the opening horn and I think helped the ladies. This was especially true in OT as they willed the ladies to play outstanding defense that shut UT down.
The officials were the most clueless bunch of pinstripes that I think I've ever seen. I took my dad to this game (his first in a long time) and he said the game was obviously moving faster than these three boneheads could keep up with. They either missed calls, actually got some right or had to refer to the video replay to make decisions (which the did 3-4 times). Terrible group that I hope I never see again.
Tough gritty game by both squads. One last observation. Watch the way Bill Fennelly coaches, interacts with players, talks to the officials, etc. Then watch other coaches. Gail's players mirrored her just as Bill's players mirror him. You NEVER see our players whining to an official about a foul call. You saw UT players (especially #22 - Ashley Gail) walking around with the "who, me?" look and whining to the officials all night. Gail pretty much did the same. I wonder if ESPN caught her on national TV throwing her clip board to the floor in disgust?
Three games left. Our seed in the tourney is waiting. Big one at KSU Sat and then back home Tuesday for a rematch with KU. Be there people. This is getting fun.
Make sure you see the post game video at:
Post-game Lockerroom Celebration vs. Texas - Cyclones.com
