03-24-2017, 08:40 PM
We win 77-66 and move on to face N.D. in the Elite Eight!!
Texas cut our lead down to 3 with just under 6 minutes, but a brilliant pass from Erica to Brit, who caught the ball and made the layup despite three orange jerseys surrounding her, extended the lead back up to 6. Bri also made a big three when she was left open after missing a couple before. Texas didn't go away though and threatened as they got within 4 on a couple more occasions, but when Alanna nailed a couple free throws with under 2 minutes to extend the lead back up to 6, we were able to play some lockdown defense and extend the lead. Despite missing half of our free throws at the end of the game (fortunately, it didn't matter - but we left the door cracked open a bit), we were able to preserve the lead and advance.
Marta did not have a good game, especially from the perspective of the point guard, who needs to make the right decisions. I've counted at least half a dozen decisions that led to turnovers or missed scoring opportunities -- precious lost opportunities for points in a tight game. She finished with just 1 point, missing all 4 of her field goals and turning the ball over 4 times with only 3 assists. But she came up big late in the game with a steal in the waning minutes.
Erica is MVP of the game with a double-double (23 pts on 9/14 shooting) and 12 rebounds, but most importantly grabbed 6 offensive rebounds and chipping in much needed points off of our missed shots.
Karlie uncharacteristically missed 2 free throws, but I don't mind the first one as it led to that switch of momentum at the beginning of the third quarter. She finished with 15 points on 5/11 shooting and 4/8 from long range.
McPhee and Alanna cooled off from their hot streaks recently, but both still had double digit scoring games and their recent success prevented Texas's defense from completely collapsing on Erica or focusing too much on Karlie.
Defensively, we did a great job on McCarty who only had 8 points on 4/14 shooting and though Joyner had 15 points, she needed 13 shot attempts to get there. Atkins had a team-high 18 points for Texas, but we also made her work for them (6/14).
N.D. looked like it didn't skip a beat even without Turner scoring just one point shy of the century mark in dismantling Ohio State. Obviously, Turner's absence leaves a big gap inside. But their guards picked it up as they went small and we've struggled mightily against quick, agile guards with the NM State game as the latest example.
Texas cut our lead down to 3 with just under 6 minutes, but a brilliant pass from Erica to Brit, who caught the ball and made the layup despite three orange jerseys surrounding her, extended the lead back up to 6. Bri also made a big three when she was left open after missing a couple before. Texas didn't go away though and threatened as they got within 4 on a couple more occasions, but when Alanna nailed a couple free throws with under 2 minutes to extend the lead back up to 6, we were able to play some lockdown defense and extend the lead. Despite missing half of our free throws at the end of the game (fortunately, it didn't matter - but we left the door cracked open a bit), we were able to preserve the lead and advance.
Marta did not have a good game, especially from the perspective of the point guard, who needs to make the right decisions. I've counted at least half a dozen decisions that led to turnovers or missed scoring opportunities -- precious lost opportunities for points in a tight game. She finished with just 1 point, missing all 4 of her field goals and turning the ball over 4 times with only 3 assists. But she came up big late in the game with a steal in the waning minutes.
Erica is MVP of the game with a double-double (23 pts on 9/14 shooting) and 12 rebounds, but most importantly grabbed 6 offensive rebounds and chipping in much needed points off of our missed shots.
Karlie uncharacteristically missed 2 free throws, but I don't mind the first one as it led to that switch of momentum at the beginning of the third quarter. She finished with 15 points on 5/11 shooting and 4/8 from long range.
McPhee and Alanna cooled off from their hot streaks recently, but both still had double digit scoring games and their recent success prevented Texas's defense from completely collapsing on Erica or focusing too much on Karlie.
Defensively, we did a great job on McCarty who only had 8 points on 4/14 shooting and though Joyner had 15 points, she needed 13 shot attempts to get there. Atkins had a team-high 18 points for Texas, but we also made her work for them (6/14).
N.D. looked like it didn't skip a beat even without Turner scoring just one point shy of the century mark in dismantling Ohio State. Obviously, Turner's absence leaves a big gap inside. But their guards picked it up as they went small and we've struggled mightily against quick, agile guards with the NM State game as the latest example.