Purdue Fort Wayne
South Dakota State
IPFW Drops Close Game to SDSU
3/1/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
March 1, 2007
Fort Wayne, IN - In their second to last game of the season the Mastodons hosted future conference foe South Dakota State at the Gates Center. The game was a complete 180 from the previous meeting this season where the Jackrabbits dominated. The Mastodons kept it close through the first, but a 14-5 run to start the second half kept the Jacks ahead, 70-58.
"I am very proud of our group tonight. This (SDSU) was a team that embarrassed us pretty good two weeks ago." said Chris Paul. "We stepped up tonight and put together a game plan that we thought would give us an advantage. We executed it well, but we were just beat by a better basketball team."
The first half started off well with the Mastodons answering back and keeping the Jackrabbits to a four point lead with 13:45 to go, 10-14. A 6-0 run by IPFW would give the 'Dons a two point lead just four minutes later.
South Dakota State took off to a five point lead at the six minute mark and would extend it to eight ten seconds later. Nanyamka Moore would cut it to a four point difference after a good three pointer at the two minute mark. The Jackrabbits would hold a five point lead at half, 33-28.
A 14-5 run to start the second would give SDSU a 14 point lead with 13:25 left. The Jacks would continue to hold a double-digit lead until at the 5:15 mark Johnna Lewis-Carlisle hit a jumper to cut the lead to nine.
South Dakota State would take their lead back to double-digits just one shot later, the 'Dons would not go quietly, cutting the deficit to six after a 6-0 run with 1:52 to go. A 6-0 run by the Jacks would end the game, 70-58.
"There is a reason SDSU is 22-5. They are a good team with great upperclassmen leadership and discipline. They made big shots when they needed big shots. Our kids played hard and executed well and I'm proud of them. We'll get to work tomorrow and get ready for Saturday and senior day. I won't expect anything less, we need to send our seniors out the right way."
Three Mastodons finished the game in double figures. Lewis-Carlisle led with 17 points and pitched in four assists and three steals.
Ashley Johnson almost had a double-double with 13 points and nine boards. She added three steals and was 3 of 4 at the line.
Moore came off the bench, adding 11 points, going 5 of 9 from the field. She added four boards and two blocks.
Lieselot Malfait and Juliane Höhne each had five boards. Malfait added three blocks.
The Jackrabbits were led by Jennifer Warkenthien with a double-double of 20 points and 12 boards.
The Mastodons (12-16) will host North Dakota State in their final regular season game on Saturday in the Gates Center. Tip-off is 1 PM. The Women's Basketball program will recognize seniors Ashley Johnson, Hilary O'Connell, Starla Williams and Pavla Pletková before the game.
~Dons~
