I thought going in we would lose and hoped it was at least close. I feel better going in pessimistic to these types of games. The result was ok, losing to the #1 team on their court in a nail biter is not a bad thing. Henderson coming back from injury for them was the key. If she was still out I think we roll them. She had a great game. I agree about the reffing. Hate to say it because all our turnovers, some where they literally plucked the ball out of someone's hands, was the real culprit, but the refs were bad all game and totally screwed us in the last couple of minutes. Jones was going to foul whoever it was, Littleton I think, but didn't really and Wilson had already got the ball poked out. Lexie went up and got a rebound off their missed FT and sure looked like she was bodied and shoved when she had two hands on the ball. That ended in a held ball that went SC's way. It sure looked to me that Boston was leaning heavily onto Belibi and basically pushed her into the lane on that play. Went to a board with fans from all teams and they, who have no horse in the race, saw it that way as well. Boston is great and apparently a wonderful person, but man, they let her get away with a lot in this one.
As for Brink, yeah, that last shot was not a good choice, and she had too many fouls and bad decisions. These two games were not her best. I'm sure she will bounce back. I do think she may have been the victim of some poor reffing. Seemed like two of her fouls, or at least one, she had position on a box out and somehow got called for the foul anyway, like what was up with that? She "displaced" Boston? Don't think so.
Overall I don't think this loss hurts much. In fact, in the end it might be better to lose a close one, not have the target on the back, and use the close loss as fuel to improve. Belibi had a very good game. Lexie had a great first half and a pretty good game. Prechtel did a good job. Jump was fine. Jones was fine, though her rebounding numbers were low. Henderson was our kryptonite. Our turnovers were not bad passes so much, but quick hands from her. A good lesson for the team.
As for Brink, yeah, that last shot was not a good choice, and she had too many fouls and bad decisions. These two games were not her best. I'm sure she will bounce back. I do think she may have been the victim of some poor reffing. Seemed like two of her fouls, or at least one, she had position on a box out and somehow got called for the foul anyway, like what was up with that? She "displaced" Boston? Don't think so.
Overall I don't think this loss hurts much. In fact, in the end it might be better to lose a close one, not have the target on the back, and use the close loss as fuel to improve. Belibi had a very good game. Lexie had a great first half and a pretty good game. Prechtel did a good job. Jump was fine. Jones was fine, though her rebounding numbers were low. Henderson was our kryptonite. Our turnovers were not bad passes so much, but quick hands from her. A good lesson for the team.