Sunday, February 12, 2006

Midconfans News 2/12/2006

Chicago State an overtime winner--The Chicago Tribune/span>

Valparaiso beats Western Illinois--The Chicago Tribune/span>

Colleges--The Chicago Sun-Times

VALPARAISO 76, WESTERN ILLINOIS 64: Dan Oppland led four players in double figures with 16 points and pulled down 10 rebounds to pace the Crusaders (14-9, 7-6) past the Leathernecks (7-17, 3-10) in Mid-Continent Conference action in Valparaiso, Ind. Sammy Hunter scored 21 points and David Jackson 16 for Western Illinois.

CHICAGO STATE 77, CENTENARY 69: David Holston scored 19 points, and Michael Henderson added 18 points and 11 rebounds as the host Cougars (6-17, 5-7) rallied from a 12-point deficit in the first half to earn an overtime victory against the Gentlemen (4-19, 2-10) in Mid-Continent Conference play.


College Basketball: State Roundup--The Daily Southtown

Valparaiso 76, Western Illinois 64

VALPARAISO, Ind. — Despite 21 points from Sammy Hunter, Western Illinois (7-17, 3-10 Mid-Continent Conference) dropped the decision against Valparaiso (14-9, 7-6).

Chicago State 77, Centenary 69 (OT)

Michael Henderson scored 18 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead host Chicago State (6-17, 5-7 Mid-Continent Conference) over Centenary (4-19, 2-10).

Chicago State trailed by as many as 12 points midway through the first half before a second-half surge forced overtime. David Holston led all scorers with 19 for the Cougars, who were down six points at halftime. Royce Parran scored 15 points and had four rebounds and four assists for Chicago State.

Chris Watson (17 points) led the way for Centenary.


Women: Roundup--The Detroit News

# Mid-Continent
# Oakland 87, Missouri-Kansas City 65: Nicole Piggott has 21 points and Jayme Wilson 18 to lead the Golden Grizzlies (10-12, 6-5). UMKC is 7-15, 6-5.


3-pointers doom Oakland again--The Oakland Press
By DUSTIN FRUCCI Special to The Oakland Press


ROCHESTER — It has haunted Oakland University all year, and Saturday night was no exception, as the Golden Grizzlies gave up 15 3-pointers in an 84-81 loss to the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
In the last two games, Oakland (9-16, 4-9 Mid-Con) has allowed the opposition to shoot 33-for-56 from beyond the arc.
“I don’t know what to say about it. What do you say about it?” Oakland head coach Greg Kampe said. “Game after game, we’re giving up 50 percent from the floor, and you’re not going to win like that.”
Doing most of the damage behind the 3-point line for UMKC (11-12, 8-4) were Quinton Day and Tim Blackwell, who combined to shoot 9-for-14.
“When they shoot like that, it’s tough,” OU’s Brandon Cassise said. “You get a couple of stops, but when they make those threes, it feels like they’re scoring on every possession.”
Despite the Kangaroos’ hot shooting, OU stayed close throughout the second half.
OU trailed by seven with 3:41 left in the game, but closed within 82-81 after a 3-pointer by Cassise and fi ve consecutive points by Vova Severovas.
After UMKC’s Dee Ayuba missed the front end of a one-and-one, David Carson had two opportunities to tie the game from the line, but missed both.
Rick Billings led OU with 18 points, while Cassise added 17 points and six assists.
The loss marked the first losing season at home for OU in the 22 years Greg Kampe has been head coach.
It also puts OU in a dangerous position. At 4-9 and seventh place in the Mid-Continent Conference, OU has yet to assure itself a spot in the conference tournament. Only the top eight in the nine-team league qualify.
OU plays its last three regular-season games on the road, starting with Centenary on Saturday.
“We better win one of these,” Kampe said. “We have to.”
OU women storm past UMKC
ROCHESTER — Sizzling shooting in the first half and a balanced scoring attack propelled the Oakland University women’s basketball team to a 87-65 home win over Missouri-Kansas City on Saturday.
The Golden Grizzlies (10-12, 6-5) came out on fire in the first half, shooting 69 percent (20 of 29) from the field to take a 47-32 lead at halftime.
OU continued its onslaught in the second half, leading by as many as 25 points to move into fifth place in the Mid-Continent Conference standings.
Five players scored in double figures for OU, led by senior Nicole Piggott, who scored 21 points on 8-of-12 shooting.
Senior Jayme Wilson scored 18 points, junior Bonnie Baker had 15 points, freshman April Kidd scored 11 points and senior Anne Hafeli added 10 points for the Golden Grizzlies, who will next play at Oral Roberts on Monday.


Jaguars come back to win 8th in a row--The Indy Star

Valparaiso able to hold off Western Illinois--The Indy Star

UMKC’s skid hits three with loss to Oakland--The Kansas City Star

UMKC outshoots Oakland--The Kansas City Star

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Western wallops Crusaders--The Post-Tribune

Feb. 12, 2006

By Justin Breen / Post-Tribune deputy sports editor

VALPARAISO — When Valparaiso faces Western Illinois, there’s no reason not to expect an all-out grudge match.

Saturday’s Crusaders-Westerwinds game was no exception as Western secured a key Mid-Continent Conference victory, 53-42.

In a series where nine of the previous 11 games were decided by 10 points or less, the Westerwinds never trailed in the second half — keeping the Crusaders at bay despite 13 points and a game-high eight rebounds from Tamra Braun.

“It was a battle,” Valpo coach Keith Freeman said.

Western (18-4, 10-2) — the three-time defending regular season champions — moved two games ahead of Valpo (14-9, 8-4) with four conference games remaining before the Mid-Con tournament. IUPUI (13-8, 8-3) hosted Oral Roberts later Saturday.

The Nos. 1 and 2 seeds in the conference tourney don’t have to play three games in three days, while the No. 3 seed does.

“Every game counts from here on out,” said Braun, whose Crusaders still have to play at Oral Roberts, IUPUI and UMKC. “It’s going to be a dogfight to the end for second place.”

Western’s center Zane Teilane showed her skills with a 17-point, seven-rebound, three-blocked shot effort in helping the Westerwinds win their third straight game, and sweep the season series with VU for the first time in three seasons. Valpo, which shot 34.1 percent (14-of-41) lost for the first time in four games.

“I think all things being equal, it came down to rebounding,” said Western Illinois coach Leslie Crane, whose team outrebounded Valpo 30-22. “It’s hard to come in here and get a win.”

Teilane torched the Crusaders for 10 first-half points on 5-of-7 shooting as the road club gathered a 26-21 halftime lead. In the opening 20 minutes, Valpo shot just 8-of-25 (32 percent).

The Westerwinds began the second half with a 5-0 run in the first 2:08, prompting Freeman to call time. But Valpo never came within three the rest of the way, despite Teilane picking up her fourth foul with 6:10 remaining.

Dee Dee Murphy closed out the Crusaders with four late free throws. Samantha Greer scored 10 points in the victory.

The Crusaders were 4-of-17 from 3-point range.

Freeman said his club, which doesn’t play until next Saturday against Chicago State, will take today and Tuesday off.


MEN’S BASKETBALL: Finishing kick boosts Valparaiso--The Post-Tribune

Feb. 12, 2006

By Justin Breen / Post-Tribune deputy sports editor

VALPARAISO — Try as they might, teams that play Valparaiso usually can’t stop Dan Oppland.

Western Illinois harassed the Crusaders’ star senior on Saturday, but he still scored a team-high 16 points in VU’s 76-64 victory.

“You’ve got to admire Dan because he’s a warrior,” Valpo coach Homer Drew said.

The Crusaders (14-9, 7-6 Mid-Continent Conference) won for the third time in four games, while Western (7-17, 3-10) lost for the fourth time in five tries.

In the 55th meeting between the Mid-Con’s last two founding members, Western came as close as 60-59 before Valpo responded with a 9-0 run to put the road club away in the final three minutes. Seth Colclasure provided a pair of key steals in the pivotal moments as well.

“It was a wonderful last three minutes,” Drew said.

Oppland, who scored a season-low eight points at IUPUI on Thursday — snapping a 28-game double-figure scoring streak — had seven in the first half as VU went ahead 32-31 at the break.

Oppland also had 10 rebounds and dished an assist. Mohamed Kone scored 14 points, Ron Howard had 13, including a game-turning 3-pointer in Valpo’s run, and Ali Berdiel scored 10.

“It was wonderful to get four guys in double figures,” said Drew, whose team dished 17 assists.

Freshman forward Urule Igbavboa had a strong night with nine points on 4-of-5 shooting.

Western coach Derek Thomas was visibly upset near his team’s locker room following the game. He later said he was dismayed with some of the officials’ calls.

“There were so many quick whistles out there, and I was kind of disappointed in some of them,” Thomas said. “Our guys fought hard tonight.”

n Notes: Shawn Huff was shooting around with his girlfriend and VU women’s player Sanna Helenius three hours before tipoff. Doctors examined the broken bone in Huff’s left foot on Thursday, and VU personnel are hoping to have him ready for the Mid-Con tourney ... Valparaiso High School junior standout Scott Martin attended the game. Valpo offered Martin a scholarship as a sophomore. He spent several minutes after the game talking to VU director of basketball operations Luke Gore and director of athletics Mark LaBarbera ... Jimmie Miles, who had missed 10 of the last 11 games with a viral infection, played six minutes ... Backup center Moussa Mbaye missed his second straight game with a groin injury. Drew said Mbaye might not be available for Thursday’s game against Chicago State ... Members of the VU athletics hall of fame class of 2006 were honored at halftime.

Contact Justin Breen at 648-3122 or jbreen@post-trib.com


Valpo falls short of first--The NWI Times

Leathernecks go to dogs at Valpo--The Peoria Journal Star

Westerwinds blow through Valparaiso--The Peoria Journal Star

Chicago St. 77, Centenary 69 (OT)--The Shreveport Times

At Chicago, Michael Henderson scored 18 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead the Cougars over the Gents.

Chicago State trailed by as many as 12 points midway through the first half before a second-half surge forced overtime.

David Holston led all scorers with 19 for the Cougars (6-17, 5-7 Mid-Con), who were down six points at halftime.


CHICAGO STATE 62, CENTENARY 47--The Shreveport Times

At Chicago, Chandra Timberlake scored 17 points to lead the Lady Cougars (10-1, 5-6) to a Mid-Continent Conference victory over the Ladies (3-21, 2-11).

The game was tied at 29 early in the second half before Chicago State went on a 13-0 run to take control.

Timberlake scored 14 of her points over the final eight minutes. Wendi Walker 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Lady Cougars.

Jelena Aleksic led Centenary with 16 points, and Laura Way added 14.


Chicago State Shoots Down Ladies 62-47--GoCentenary.Com

Frustrated Gents Lose in Overtime to Chicago State 77-69--GoCentenary.Com

Women's Basketball Downs Centenary, 62-47--Chicago State Athletics

Chicago State Defeats Centenary in Overtime--Chicago State Athletics

IUPUI PULLS OUT LATE 50-46 WIN OVER ORAL ROBERTS; SETS SCHOOL RECORD FOR CONFERENCE WINS--IUPUI JAGUAR ATHLETICS

SENIORS GO OUT VICTORIOUS WITH 80-75 WIN OVER ORAL ROBERTS--IUPUI JAGUAR ATHLETICS

Picconi's 16-Point Effort Not Enough As Kangaroos Fall To Oakland--UMKC Kangaroos

Hot Three Point Shooting Propels Kangaroos To Road Victory Over Oakland--UMKC Kangaroos

Golden Grizzlies Handle Kangaroos, 87-65--OUGrizzlies.com

UMKC Holds On to Down Oakland, 84-81--OUGrizzlies.com

IUPUI Nips ORU Women, 50-46--Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles

Second-Half Surge Lifts IUPUI Past ORU, 80-75--Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles

Thunderbirds Host Centenary--SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS

Valpo Falls at Home 53-42 to Western Illinois--www.valpo.edu

Valpo Falls at Home 53-42 to Western Illinois--www.valpo.edu

Women's Basketball Defeats Valparaiso, 53-42--Western Illinois Athletics

Crusaders Hand Leathernecks 76-64 Loss--Western Illinois Athletics

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