I’m going to start here with this summary. If Ashley Joens isn’t named the Big 12 POY then there are stupid voters or the whole thing is rigged. Yes, we’ve seen it before when ISU had some outstanding players and someone else…usually from Oklahoma or a Texas school…got the votes. She is not only the best in the Big 12, she is one of the top 5-6 in the country. There, I said it. Now about the game.
As you all know by now, Kristin Scott is out after being undercut in the last game. Yes, it’s her back again and there is no telling when she might return. We can hope for the tournament and I doubt it happens before then. Backs are a tricky thing and it could come back together in a week or it might take longer. Cross your fingers.
Without her what we saw today was a squad that had to fight tooth and nail to pull out the win. By the end of the game there were five players on the court that were completely gassed. That being said, every single one of them gave it their all and I give them the highest kudos for it. This is not a team that takes the easy way out. They have grit.
This game was all about attacking a tough WVU defense right where their strength is…the middle. Even without our best inside player, the ladies dominated the middle. From beginning to end you could say the same thing about each quarter. This was a physical battle. Neither team was able to gain much separation thought WVU led most of the way. By the half, WVU had the narrowest of leads 33-29.
The ISU starters would put in most of the minutes with some key rest created by Wise and Kane. Unfortunately, Wise continues to struggle on offense, but her minutes on the court were critical to the outcome of the game. One of the outstanding players today (besides Joens) was Nez. She is playing like the end of her career is in sight. Rebounds, moving, scoring put back points. She had a game to remember. The outcome of this game literally came down to her and Joens in the 4th. This was the quarter that ISU scrapped back. After ceding WVU a 5 point lead, the ladies rebounded like furies on the defensive end and scrapped their way to a short lived lead. WVU was never done as they kept answering everything the sisters had to offer. But more WVU shots missed (tired legs the main culprit) than were missed by ISU. It was those inside shots by Joens and Nez that were the difference. After a critical rebound with about ten seconds left and ISU hanging on to a nail thin 1 point lead, Joens got fouled and promptly edged the lead to 3. The last time out by Fennelly set up the last gasp for WVU and what we were to do on defense. The perimeter defense was tough and the seconds were ticking away when they launched a desperation three to tie. It never even hit the rim, but then it got interesting. As the clock expired WVU had rebounded and put up a layup and the whistle blew. AC, out of instinct more than anything, played defense on the two point shot and was called for a foul. The shot went in. The crowd went crazy with anger. Yes, it appeared there was no foul, but it looked like OT was on its way with one free throw coming. The officials went to the monitors as the crowd looked on. They called the coaches to center court and a Fennelly fist pump later you knew the result. Not only did the shot come after the buzzer, but No foul. Sisters win 61-58.
Observations:
Turnovers. Much has been said by fans and coaches about this turnover happy team. Today against a crazy defense, the sisters only committed 7. SEVEN. Several of those happened in the critical fourth quarter with errant passes. That means through most of the game they only committed about 4 turnovers.
Fouls. Another ISU trademark. Those fouls turned into 19 free throws and the ladies were exceptional again hitting 16 (84%). Love it.
Offense. A bit rough around the edges. Rae struggled from the field, but it was the Nez (14) and Joens (29) show. It wasn’t like Joens was shooting lights out. No, she was getting pounded every time she went inside. Some went, most didn’t. Three point shooting was horrible for the entire team. It was the grit and willingness to take a beating and get to the free throw line that won this game.
Defense. You can’t say enough about the defense. It wasn’t perfect (when is it?), but the ladies were scrappy and when WVU missed they didn’t get too many opportunities. Even better was that WVU’s conversion rate for 2nd chance points wasn’t good. What is always fun is watching Rae take a charge. She doesn't flop. She just sets it up perfectly.
I’m not going to single out anyone other than the two players mentioned. Every person who stepped onto the court today gave it 100% and left it all out there. The level of fortitude shown by this group was something to be proud of.
Well..there are two games left. No curse intended, but I like 99.9% of the country expect Baylor to win the last game on senior night. In between there is a road trip to last place KU. Not an easy game as they’ve knocked off a few teams lately (Texas and OU). The sisters are currently by themselves in 5th place with a shot at 4th (ugh…second round v Baylor). KSU should fall back into a tie for 4th if they lose to Baylor tonight. Their last two are OSU and KU. They definitely have the easier path. This is why they play the games though.
It’s going to be a ride…hang on for some excitement.
