Women's hoops fall in overtime; five-game winning streak snapped: The Wayne State women's basketball team suffered a heartbreaking loss Saturday, Jan. 5, as the 24th-ranked Findlay Oilers snapped the Warriors' five-game winning streak with a 90-84 overtime victory. Talisha Bridges hit a jumper to force overtime with five seconds remaining to force OT, but the Oilers pulled away in the extra period to come away with a road victory.
"That was definitely a heartbreaker," said Warriors head coach Carrie Lohr. "I will say that I thought that we definitely showed some character."
Going up against Findlay's full-court pressure and zone defense, the Warriors held a 13-10 lead eight minutes into the game. The two teams played each other close for most of the first half, as the game was tied at 26 with 4:45 remaining in the opening half. But the Oilers went on a 10-0 run over the next two minutes to take a double-digit advantage.
Looking for a spark, Deanna Crumpton provided just that for the Warriors off of the bench. Her seven points and blocked shot got WSU back into the game, making it a three-point contest, 36-33, at the half.
After trading scores to open the second half, Findlay extended its lead to 10 points, 56-46, with a 10-2 run.
The Oilers still led by double-digits - building their lead to as many as 13 - at the 10:41 mark. But the Warriors went on an 8-0 run that made it a one-score game.
Findlay held on to a slim lead until there was 4:25 left in the game, when a Juanita Cochran layup gave the Warriors their first lead since they led 13-10 midway through the first half.
Cochran played a big role in WSU's comeback, giving the Warriors multiple opportunities on the offensive end with eight offensive rebounds.
The Oilers regained the lead and were on top 75-73 with the ball and 45 seconds remaining in the game.
WSU played defense for 24 seconds when an attempted three-pointer by Findlay missed. Cochran grabbed the rebound and gave the ball up to Bridges, who raced down court and found Crumpton for a mid-range shot attempt. Crumpton's shot missed, but Bridges snagged one of WSU's offensive rebounds. With nine seconds left, Lohr called a timeout.
In-bounding the ball under their own basket, the Warriors got the ball to Bridges and let her take over.
Bridges corralled the ball around half-court, dribbled to her right, stopped at the free-throw line, popped and sank the game-tying bucket with five seconds left.
"(The play) was designed for her, it wasn't designed for her to catch it that high, not exactly in that spot," Lohr said. "But she's a good player and good players make plays and she executed."
The Oilers' last-second heave from half-court missed the mark and the game headed to overtime.
In the extra frame, the two teams played to a 78-78 tie with 3:14 to go. Findlay took a one-point lead on a free-throw and never relinquished the lead. Despite their best effort, turnovers, foul trouble and the Findlay attack proved to be too much for the Warriors, as Findlay held on for the win.
"We had our chances," Lohr said. "But we can't look back. We definitely showed some life and showed that we can come back and that's good to know. That says a lot about our team.
"We gotta keep our heads up [because] we got a lot of basketball to play."
Bridges tallied a season-high 25 points to go with seven rebounds and four assists. Cochran recorded a double-double with 17 points and 15 rebounds, while Crumpton finished with 15 points and four rebounds.
The Warriors continue its homestand with an 8 p.m. matchup with Northwood on Jan. 8.
Showing posts with label Basketball. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Basketball. Show all posts
Monday, May 23, 2016
Women's basketball roll through WSU Holiday Classic
Women's basketball roll through WSU Holiday Classic: The holiday season has been good to the Wayne State women’s basketball team (6-3 overall, 4-1 GLIAC), as the Warriors have won six of their last seven contests, including two wins in the inaugural WSU Holiday Classic presented by Waste Management, Dec. 28 -29.
“I think our success is generated from the buy-in from the entire team to play defense and to play every possession and to play for 40 minutes,” Warriors head coach Carrie Lohr said.
With Urbana University, Northwood University and the University of Missouri-St. Louis as fellow participants, WSU tallied victories against UMSL and Urbana to claim the title.
In their last four victories, the Warriors have never trailed.
“I’m not really sure how that really started,” Lohr said. “I think that just happened naturally because of [the team’s] commitment to play defense and share the basketball.”
**Dec. 28**
On the first day of the tournament, the Warriors went up against the USML Tritons. WSU got off to a quick start, taking a 7-1 lead in the opening minutes of the game.
USML trailed by four points at the 12:20 mark, 15-11, but a 10-0 run by the Warriors put them up by double figures.
WSU dominated the first half leading by as many as 19 points and no less than 12.
But the Tritons finished half on a 9-2 run, as the Warriors led 41-29.
USML continued to make a run as the second half began, outscoring the Warriors 14-4 in the first six minutes to pull within a bucket.
WSU responded with five consecutive points, but the Tritons cut the deficit to one point on three occasions (51-50, 53-52, and 55-54) within an 82-second span.
WSU’s Deanna Crumpton scored the next six points to extend the Warriors lead, 61-54. Crumpton scored 13 points off the bench, as the WSU bench outscored UMSL’s bench 50-23.
“Our bench did a great job,” Lohr said. “That separated our starting five from their starting five.”
The Warriors added to their lead, taking a 10-point advantage, 69-59, with 3:30 remaining in the game. The Tritons weren’t done, though, as they made it just a four-point game with 1:48 left at 71-67.
But WSU hit its free-throws down the stretch to earn a 79-69 victory.
“We maintained our composure,” Lohr said. “But we can’t let that happen (letting teams back into games) in our league. We have to eliminate that.”
Talisha Bridges finished with 16 points off the bench, which tied for a game-high. Juanita Cochran helped the Warriors win the battle of the boards, 45-39, grabbing a game-high nine rebounds to go along with 12 points.
**Dec. 29**
In the final game of the tournament, the Warriors took on the Urbana Blue Knights.
“I think our success is generated from the buy-in from the entire team to play defense and to play every possession and to play for 40 minutes,” Warriors head coach Carrie Lohr said.
With Urbana University, Northwood University and the University of Missouri-St. Louis as fellow participants, WSU tallied victories against UMSL and Urbana to claim the title.
In their last four victories, the Warriors have never trailed.
“I’m not really sure how that really started,” Lohr said. “I think that just happened naturally because of [the team’s] commitment to play defense and share the basketball.”
**Dec. 28**
On the first day of the tournament, the Warriors went up against the USML Tritons. WSU got off to a quick start, taking a 7-1 lead in the opening minutes of the game.
USML trailed by four points at the 12:20 mark, 15-11, but a 10-0 run by the Warriors put them up by double figures.
WSU dominated the first half leading by as many as 19 points and no less than 12.
But the Tritons finished half on a 9-2 run, as the Warriors led 41-29.
USML continued to make a run as the second half began, outscoring the Warriors 14-4 in the first six minutes to pull within a bucket.
WSU responded with five consecutive points, but the Tritons cut the deficit to one point on three occasions (51-50, 53-52, and 55-54) within an 82-second span.
WSU’s Deanna Crumpton scored the next six points to extend the Warriors lead, 61-54. Crumpton scored 13 points off the bench, as the WSU bench outscored UMSL’s bench 50-23.
“Our bench did a great job,” Lohr said. “That separated our starting five from their starting five.”
The Warriors added to their lead, taking a 10-point advantage, 69-59, with 3:30 remaining in the game. The Tritons weren’t done, though, as they made it just a four-point game with 1:48 left at 71-67.
But WSU hit its free-throws down the stretch to earn a 79-69 victory.
“We maintained our composure,” Lohr said. “But we can’t let that happen (letting teams back into games) in our league. We have to eliminate that.”
Talisha Bridges finished with 16 points off the bench, which tied for a game-high. Juanita Cochran helped the Warriors win the battle of the boards, 45-39, grabbing a game-high nine rebounds to go along with 12 points.
**Dec. 29**
In the final game of the tournament, the Warriors took on the Urbana Blue Knights.
The Warriors got the scoring started, taking a 4-0 lead in the early going. The Blue Knights tied the game at 8-8.
WSU seemingly took the game over from there.
Over the next six minutes, the Warriors outscored Urbana 15-0 to take a 23-8 lead and kept the Blue Knights scoreless for nearly eight minutes.
But trailing 24-9, Urbana went on a run of its own. The Blue Knights outscored WSU 14-6 to make it a seven-point game, 30-23, with just under three minutes to go in the half.
The Warriors extended its lead to 12 points, 37-25, after outscoring Urbana 7-2 to close out the half.
WSU continued to separate itself from Urbana as it opened up the second half on a 14-1 run in the first four minutes.
The Warriors led by at least 20 points the rest of the way, leading by as many as 25 points.
WSU’s defensive pressure kept the Blue Knights at bay, as they only shot 30.4 percent from the floor – 13 percent from behind the arc – a day after shooting 50 percent from the field. The poor shooting allowed the Warriors to dominate the boards, outrebounding Urbana 64-37.
The Warriors didn’t light the nets on fire, though, shooting 35.4 percent from the field – 22.2 percent from three. But 29 offensive rebounds gave the Warriors 21 second-chance points.
“We were just a stronger team,” Lohr said, attributing the Warriors’ strength and conditioning staff as the reason they were able to dominate the glass. “Having that strength in our post players, I think makes the big difference.
“[The players] know that if they defend and rebound that they’re going to get to play,” Lohr said. “That keeps them hungry.”
Talisha Bridges and Paige Sickmiller led the Warriors with 16 points each. Deanna Crumpton finished with 14 points and seven rebounds. Phaebre Colbert came off the bench to score 13 points and grabbed a game-high 15 rebounds.
The Warriors continue GLIAC play with an 8 p.m. contest at the Matthaei against Hillsdale on Jan. 3.
*The 2012 WSU/Waste Management Holiday Classic All-Tournament team consisted of Northwood freshman center Jordyn Nurenberg (33 points, 18 rebounds), UMSL sophomore guard Kelly McGovern (18 points, 7 assists, 5 steals), Urbana junior guard DeVonyea Johnson (26 points, 10 rebounds, 12 assists and 8 steals), WSU senior guard Paige Sickmiller (27 points, including six triples), and WSU senior forward Deanna Crumpton (27 points, 11 rebounds, 3 steals). The MVP was WSU senior forward Talisha Bridges (32 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists).
WSU seemingly took the game over from there.
Over the next six minutes, the Warriors outscored Urbana 15-0 to take a 23-8 lead and kept the Blue Knights scoreless for nearly eight minutes.
But trailing 24-9, Urbana went on a run of its own. The Blue Knights outscored WSU 14-6 to make it a seven-point game, 30-23, with just under three minutes to go in the half.
The Warriors extended its lead to 12 points, 37-25, after outscoring Urbana 7-2 to close out the half.
WSU continued to separate itself from Urbana as it opened up the second half on a 14-1 run in the first four minutes.
The Warriors led by at least 20 points the rest of the way, leading by as many as 25 points.
WSU’s defensive pressure kept the Blue Knights at bay, as they only shot 30.4 percent from the floor – 13 percent from behind the arc – a day after shooting 50 percent from the field. The poor shooting allowed the Warriors to dominate the boards, outrebounding Urbana 64-37.
The Warriors didn’t light the nets on fire, though, shooting 35.4 percent from the field – 22.2 percent from three. But 29 offensive rebounds gave the Warriors 21 second-chance points.
“We were just a stronger team,” Lohr said, attributing the Warriors’ strength and conditioning staff as the reason they were able to dominate the glass. “Having that strength in our post players, I think makes the big difference.
“[The players] know that if they defend and rebound that they’re going to get to play,” Lohr said. “That keeps them hungry.”
Talisha Bridges and Paige Sickmiller led the Warriors with 16 points each. Deanna Crumpton finished with 14 points and seven rebounds. Phaebre Colbert came off the bench to score 13 points and grabbed a game-high 15 rebounds.
The Warriors continue GLIAC play with an 8 p.m. contest at the Matthaei against Hillsdale on Jan. 3.
*The 2012 WSU/Waste Management Holiday Classic All-Tournament team consisted of Northwood freshman center Jordyn Nurenberg (33 points, 18 rebounds), UMSL sophomore guard Kelly McGovern (18 points, 7 assists, 5 steals), Urbana junior guard DeVonyea Johnson (26 points, 10 rebounds, 12 assists and 8 steals), WSU senior guard Paige Sickmiller (27 points, including six triples), and WSU senior forward Deanna Crumpton (27 points, 11 rebounds, 3 steals). The MVP was WSU senior forward Talisha Bridges (32 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists).
Women's basketball upends Tiffin
Women's basketball upends Tiffin: The Wayne State women’s basketball team (1 -2 overall, 1-0 GLIAC) opened GLIAC play with an impressive victory at Tiffin University (2 -2 overall, 0-1 GLIAC), 84-57, Nov. 29.
The Dragons jumped to a 5-4 lead 1:44 into the game, but a 17-5 run by the Warriors over the next seven minutes gave them a 21-9 advantage. WSU was paced by Talisha Bridges, who scored 10 points over this stretch and finished with a game-high 21 points.
Still trailing by 13 points with 10:20 remaining in the first half, 24-11, the Dragons went on a run of their own to get them back in the game. They outscored the Warriors 13-2, which cut the deficit to 26-24 with 5:39 left to play in the half.
Scoring the next two buckets, WSU extended its lead to six points at 30-24, but the Dragons evened the score at 31-31. A Bridges free-throw gave the Warriors a one-point lead at halftime.
With both teams struggling to hit their shots coming out of the half, Phaebre Colbert scored twice to extend WSU’s lead, 36-31.
Leading 36-33 with 16:28 to go in the contest, the Warriors began to pull away slightly.
They took a 10-point advantage at the 11:50 mark thanks to 11 combined points from Bridges – six - and Paige Sickmiller - five. Sickmiller finished with 16 points off the bench.
Tiffin cut the deficit to seven points, 49-42. But that’s as close as the Dragons would get for the rest of the game, as WSU outscored them 35-15 over the last 11:37.
Colbert finished with 16 points, four rebounds and four steals, while Kristen Long came off the bench to tally 10 points, four rebounds and four assists.
The Warriors outrebounded the Dragons 48-37, finished with 11 more assists – 18-7, and had seven fewer turnovers – 12 compared to Tiffin’s 19, which all contributed to the blowout win.
WSU will be at Ohio Dominican on Saturday, Dec. 1 for a 3 p.m. tip-off.
The Dragons jumped to a 5-4 lead 1:44 into the game, but a 17-5 run by the Warriors over the next seven minutes gave them a 21-9 advantage. WSU was paced by Talisha Bridges, who scored 10 points over this stretch and finished with a game-high 21 points.
Still trailing by 13 points with 10:20 remaining in the first half, 24-11, the Dragons went on a run of their own to get them back in the game. They outscored the Warriors 13-2, which cut the deficit to 26-24 with 5:39 left to play in the half.
Scoring the next two buckets, WSU extended its lead to six points at 30-24, but the Dragons evened the score at 31-31. A Bridges free-throw gave the Warriors a one-point lead at halftime.
With both teams struggling to hit their shots coming out of the half, Phaebre Colbert scored twice to extend WSU’s lead, 36-31.
Leading 36-33 with 16:28 to go in the contest, the Warriors began to pull away slightly.
They took a 10-point advantage at the 11:50 mark thanks to 11 combined points from Bridges – six - and Paige Sickmiller - five. Sickmiller finished with 16 points off the bench.
Tiffin cut the deficit to seven points, 49-42. But that’s as close as the Dragons would get for the rest of the game, as WSU outscored them 35-15 over the last 11:37.
Colbert finished with 16 points, four rebounds and four steals, while Kristen Long came off the bench to tally 10 points, four rebounds and four assists.
The Warriors outrebounded the Dragons 48-37, finished with 11 more assists – 18-7, and had seven fewer turnovers – 12 compared to Tiffin’s 19, which all contributed to the blowout win.
WSU will be at Ohio Dominican on Saturday, Dec. 1 for a 3 p.m. tip-off.
Women's basketball lose heartbreaker at Edinboro
Women's basketball lose heartbreaker at Edinboro: In its first road game of the season, the Wayne State women’s basketball team (0-2) fell to the No. 15 Edinboro Fighting Scots (2-1), 77-74.
Featuring six ties, the game was close for most of the way. Unfortunately for the Warriors, Edinboro was on top at the end.
After nearly eight minutes of play, the teams played to a 13-13 tie. The Fighting Scots went on a 7-0 to take the lead with 10:42 to play in the half.
The Warriors cut the lead to four at 24-20 with a Paige Sickmiller layup. But Edinsboro scored six consecutive points to extend its lead to 10 points with just under seven minutes remaining in the half. WSU cut the deficit to four again after reeling off six consecutive points.
But the Fighting Scots pulled away again, and at halftime they led 44-34.
The Fighting Scots kept a sizeable lead to start the second half. The Warriors got to within four points once again at 53-49, but Edinboro extended its lead to nine, 59-50, with 10:53 to go in the game.
The Warriors didn’t go away, though, as they began to climb back into the ballgame. A layup from Phaebre Colbert and a 3-pointer from Sickmiller – who scored a game-high 22 points – got WSU back to within four points.
Edinboro held a still held a four-point advantage until the 5:37 mark when a score from Talisha Bridges made it a two-point game, 65-63.
The Warriors took their first lead since early in the first half, 68-67, when Juanita Cochran converted a 3-point play. The lead would not last long, though, as the Fighting Scots scored on the ensuing possession.
Edinboro remained on top until there was 3:06 to go in the game. Two free-throws from Talisha Bridges tied the score at 71, but the Fighting Scots followed with a 6-0 run.
Trailing 77-71 with 42 seconds remaining and Talisha Bridges at the line, she hit one-of-two from the stripe. After missing the second, Colbert grabbed the rebound and laid it in to make it a three-point game with 39 seconds left.
Edinboro missed a jumper and the rebound was grabbed by Sickmiller with seven seconds to go. Trying to tie the game, Brittany Streetman’s three-point attempt was partially blocked, sealing the game for the Fighting Scots.
Colbert finished with 18 points and four rebounds. Talisha Bridges contributed with eight points, two boards and two assists, while Kayla Bridges tallied five points and eight rebounds.
The Warriors begin GLIAC play Nov. 29 at Tiffin.
Featuring six ties, the game was close for most of the way. Unfortunately for the Warriors, Edinboro was on top at the end.
After nearly eight minutes of play, the teams played to a 13-13 tie. The Fighting Scots went on a 7-0 to take the lead with 10:42 to play in the half.
The Warriors cut the lead to four at 24-20 with a Paige Sickmiller layup. But Edinsboro scored six consecutive points to extend its lead to 10 points with just under seven minutes remaining in the half. WSU cut the deficit to four again after reeling off six consecutive points.
But the Fighting Scots pulled away again, and at halftime they led 44-34.
The Fighting Scots kept a sizeable lead to start the second half. The Warriors got to within four points once again at 53-49, but Edinboro extended its lead to nine, 59-50, with 10:53 to go in the game.
The Warriors didn’t go away, though, as they began to climb back into the ballgame. A layup from Phaebre Colbert and a 3-pointer from Sickmiller – who scored a game-high 22 points – got WSU back to within four points.
Edinboro held a still held a four-point advantage until the 5:37 mark when a score from Talisha Bridges made it a two-point game, 65-63.
The Warriors took their first lead since early in the first half, 68-67, when Juanita Cochran converted a 3-point play. The lead would not last long, though, as the Fighting Scots scored on the ensuing possession.
Edinboro remained on top until there was 3:06 to go in the game. Two free-throws from Talisha Bridges tied the score at 71, but the Fighting Scots followed with a 6-0 run.
Trailing 77-71 with 42 seconds remaining and Talisha Bridges at the line, she hit one-of-two from the stripe. After missing the second, Colbert grabbed the rebound and laid it in to make it a three-point game with 39 seconds left.
Edinboro missed a jumper and the rebound was grabbed by Sickmiller with seven seconds to go. Trying to tie the game, Brittany Streetman’s three-point attempt was partially blocked, sealing the game for the Fighting Scots.
Colbert finished with 18 points and four rebounds. Talisha Bridges contributed with eight points, two boards and two assists, while Kayla Bridges tallied five points and eight rebounds.
The Warriors begin GLIAC play Nov. 29 at Tiffin.
Women's basketball win fifth straight game
Women's basketball win fifth straight game: The Wayne State women's basketball team looked to continue its hot streak into the new year against the Hillsdale Chargers (4-6 overall, 1-6 GLIAC), Jan. 3. Winners of four in a row and six out of their last seven, the Warriors extended its winning streak to five games with a hard-fought 70-66 victory.
The win did come with bad news, though, as WSU (7-3 overall, 5-1 GLIAC) learned that leading scorer Paige Sickmiller will be sidelined for the rest of the season due to a knee injury suffered during practice earlier in the week.
"That has certainly been a drastic and dramatic loss for us," head coach Carrie Lohr said. "We missed her tonight and we're going to miss her the rest of the season.
"It's just really a tough loss for all of us, especially her."
With Sickmiller on the bench, the rest of the WSU team took on a struggling Hillsdale team, losers of four consecutive games.
The Warriors started the game off on an 8-0 run, as Lena Thomas drained two 3-pointers to help give WSU the early advantage. But the Chargers followed with an 8-0 run of their own to tie the game. They continued their run, scoring another six points to the Warriors' two, to take a four-point lead, 14-10.
WSU regained the lead with a 14-4 run that gave the Warriors a six-point lead, 24-18, with 5:24 remaining in the first half.
Hillsdale continued to answer the Warriors, and trailed by one, 29-28, going into halftime. Although they held the lead, Lohr was none too pleased with the team's performance in the opening half.
"I was actually really surprised we were up at halftime considering how poorly we had played," Lohr said. "My main concern was us not sharing the basketball. There was not good chemistry on the floor."
The Chargers scored the first four points of the second half until a Brittany Streetman 3-pointer tied the game at 32. Hillsdale followed with a three, taking a 35-32 lead.
The Warriors trailed by that score until the 17:23 mark when Talisha Bridges scored a layup. That is also when Bridges and teammate Phaebre Colbert began to take over for WSU.
"I was really dissapointed with Talisha in the first half," Lohr said. "I think she has the opportunity to be a leader for us, and she really was a leader for us most of this early season, and she wasn't playing like a leader in the first half. I think she did that [in] the second half by being more physical, rebounding more [and] attacking the basket from the inside-out.
"Phaebre really just came out and kept things simple. We were able to get her the ball in the low block areas [and] there were times where she was double and triple-teamed, and easlily I guess she could have kicked it back out, but I'm glad with the decisions that she made to go up and finish strong."
Bridges and Colbert combined for 18 of the Warriors' next 24 points. Grabbing offensive rebounds, scoring second-chance points and drawing fouls, they helped give WSU a seven-point lead, 58-51, with six minutes to play. It extended its lead to 12 points at 65-53 with 3:09 to go in the game.
But, as they did all night, the Chargers responded. They got to within four points on three occasions (66-62, 68-64 and 70-66), but their comeback bid ultimately come up short.
"We kind of just had to grind [the win] out," Lohr said. "Hillsdale just wouldn't go away. The game could have gone either way, but we did what we were supposed to and we did solidify the win.
"I'm happy about that."
As conference play continues for the remainder of the season, Lohr was adamant about the team's need to play at a high level every night.
"We certainly need to play better than [tonight's performance] if we're going to contend for anything in the division."
The Warriors were led by Colbert, as she finished with a game-high 19 points and nine rebounds. Bridges recorded a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Thomas contributed with eight points, four rebounds and three assists.
WSU is back in action on Saturday, Jan. 5, as Findlay pays a visit to the Matthaei for a 3 p.m. start.
The win did come with bad news, though, as WSU (7-3 overall, 5-1 GLIAC) learned that leading scorer Paige Sickmiller will be sidelined for the rest of the season due to a knee injury suffered during practice earlier in the week.
"That has certainly been a drastic and dramatic loss for us," head coach Carrie Lohr said. "We missed her tonight and we're going to miss her the rest of the season.
"It's just really a tough loss for all of us, especially her."
With Sickmiller on the bench, the rest of the WSU team took on a struggling Hillsdale team, losers of four consecutive games.
The Warriors started the game off on an 8-0 run, as Lena Thomas drained two 3-pointers to help give WSU the early advantage. But the Chargers followed with an 8-0 run of their own to tie the game. They continued their run, scoring another six points to the Warriors' two, to take a four-point lead, 14-10.
WSU regained the lead with a 14-4 run that gave the Warriors a six-point lead, 24-18, with 5:24 remaining in the first half.
Hillsdale continued to answer the Warriors, and trailed by one, 29-28, going into halftime. Although they held the lead, Lohr was none too pleased with the team's performance in the opening half.
"I was actually really surprised we were up at halftime considering how poorly we had played," Lohr said. "My main concern was us not sharing the basketball. There was not good chemistry on the floor."
The Chargers scored the first four points of the second half until a Brittany Streetman 3-pointer tied the game at 32. Hillsdale followed with a three, taking a 35-32 lead.
The Warriors trailed by that score until the 17:23 mark when Talisha Bridges scored a layup. That is also when Bridges and teammate Phaebre Colbert began to take over for WSU.
"I was really dissapointed with Talisha in the first half," Lohr said. "I think she has the opportunity to be a leader for us, and she really was a leader for us most of this early season, and she wasn't playing like a leader in the first half. I think she did that [in] the second half by being more physical, rebounding more [and] attacking the basket from the inside-out.
"Phaebre really just came out and kept things simple. We were able to get her the ball in the low block areas [and] there were times where she was double and triple-teamed, and easlily I guess she could have kicked it back out, but I'm glad with the decisions that she made to go up and finish strong."
Bridges and Colbert combined for 18 of the Warriors' next 24 points. Grabbing offensive rebounds, scoring second-chance points and drawing fouls, they helped give WSU a seven-point lead, 58-51, with six minutes to play. It extended its lead to 12 points at 65-53 with 3:09 to go in the game.
But, as they did all night, the Chargers responded. They got to within four points on three occasions (66-62, 68-64 and 70-66), but their comeback bid ultimately come up short.
"We kind of just had to grind [the win] out," Lohr said. "Hillsdale just wouldn't go away. The game could have gone either way, but we did what we were supposed to and we did solidify the win.
"I'm happy about that."
As conference play continues for the remainder of the season, Lohr was adamant about the team's need to play at a high level every night.
"We certainly need to play better than [tonight's performance] if we're going to contend for anything in the division."
The Warriors were led by Colbert, as she finished with a game-high 19 points and nine rebounds. Bridges recorded a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Thomas contributed with eight points, four rebounds and three assists.
WSU is back in action on Saturday, Jan. 5, as Findlay pays a visit to the Matthaei for a 3 p.m. start.
Women's hoops march on to GLIAC semifinals
Women's hoops march on to GLIAC semifinals: Fresh off its first GLIAC regular season title since 1981, the Wayne State women’s basketball team hosted the Ferris State Bulldogs – its first postseason game at home since 2003 at the Matthaei on March 6 in the GLIAC tournament quarterfinals.
And the Warriors (20-7) did not disappoint the home crowd as they defeated the Bulldogs (13-13) for the third time this season, 68-59.
“We certainly had the momentum early, we got off to a great start, a fast start,” said Warriors head coach Carrie Lohr. “We started with a lot of focus, got a little bit sloppy, but we were able to pull it out.”
WSU got off to a hot start, hitting eight of its first 10 shots. The early charge was led by Talisha Bridges, who scored eight points on 4-of-4 shooting in the first 5:37 of the game to give the Warriors an 18-7 advantage.
The Warriors continued to dominate the Bulldogs, and at the 10:55 mark of the opening half, led 24-9.
But that’s when the momentum shifted in favor of FSU. WSU’s hot shooting turned cold, and that, coupled with sloppy play, allowed the Bulldogs to make it a 24-21 game with 7:12 to play in the half.
“I thought we looked real flat,” Lohr said. “We lost our spark, lost our energy. We had just kind of lost that fire that we had earlier.”
The Warriors responded, though, getting its lead back to double-digits, 32-22, with 3:41 remaining. They still led by 10 with time winding down when a long three-pointer from Bridges as the buzzer sounded gave WSU a 39-26 lead at halftime.
WSU kept a double-digit lead – leading by as many as 15 points – until the 14:07 mark of the second half as the Bulldogs cut it to nine at 48-39. FSU was only able to get within eight points until, with 2:34 remaining in the game, it trailed by six at 59-53.
But six was as close as the Bulldogs would get as the Warriors closed them out to advance to the GLIAC semifinals.
“I’m just really happy that we were able to keep it together,” Lohr said. “Kudos to Ferris, they really came at us and they wouldn’t go away.”
Bridges was the game’s high-scorer with 21 points to go along with five rebounds, four assists and two steals. Juanita Cochran finished with 14 points and a game-high 16 rebounds for her seventh double-double of the season.
“Talisha had the hot-hand tonight,” Lohr said. “The way she plays, how hard she plays, she’s not one dimensional by any means.
“If we’re going to be successful, Juanita needs to do that (have an impact on the game),” Lohr said. “It almost like we expect it, she expects it (recording a double-double).”
Kristen Long added 11 points, three rebounds and two assists off the bench.
The Warriors will head to Ashland, Ohio for a matchup with the Findlay Oilers on March 9. As the conference’s first-place team, the Ashland Eagles host the remainder of the tournament.
Findlay bested WSU in overtime, 90-84, in January – the only meeting between the two this season.
“I think we’re a better team than we were back then when we first faced them,” Lohr said. “But certainly I would expect that they’re probably a better team too. That game when we played them could have (gone) either way, and I expect it’s probably going to be the same on Saturday. It’s really going to come down to the focus and really valuing every possession.”
And the Warriors (20-7) did not disappoint the home crowd as they defeated the Bulldogs (13-13) for the third time this season, 68-59.
“We certainly had the momentum early, we got off to a great start, a fast start,” said Warriors head coach Carrie Lohr. “We started with a lot of focus, got a little bit sloppy, but we were able to pull it out.”
WSU got off to a hot start, hitting eight of its first 10 shots. The early charge was led by Talisha Bridges, who scored eight points on 4-of-4 shooting in the first 5:37 of the game to give the Warriors an 18-7 advantage.
The Warriors continued to dominate the Bulldogs, and at the 10:55 mark of the opening half, led 24-9.
But that’s when the momentum shifted in favor of FSU. WSU’s hot shooting turned cold, and that, coupled with sloppy play, allowed the Bulldogs to make it a 24-21 game with 7:12 to play in the half.
“I thought we looked real flat,” Lohr said. “We lost our spark, lost our energy. We had just kind of lost that fire that we had earlier.”
The Warriors responded, though, getting its lead back to double-digits, 32-22, with 3:41 remaining. They still led by 10 with time winding down when a long three-pointer from Bridges as the buzzer sounded gave WSU a 39-26 lead at halftime.
WSU kept a double-digit lead – leading by as many as 15 points – until the 14:07 mark of the second half as the Bulldogs cut it to nine at 48-39. FSU was only able to get within eight points until, with 2:34 remaining in the game, it trailed by six at 59-53.
But six was as close as the Bulldogs would get as the Warriors closed them out to advance to the GLIAC semifinals.
“I’m just really happy that we were able to keep it together,” Lohr said. “Kudos to Ferris, they really came at us and they wouldn’t go away.”
Bridges was the game’s high-scorer with 21 points to go along with five rebounds, four assists and two steals. Juanita Cochran finished with 14 points and a game-high 16 rebounds for her seventh double-double of the season.
“Talisha had the hot-hand tonight,” Lohr said. “The way she plays, how hard she plays, she’s not one dimensional by any means.
“If we’re going to be successful, Juanita needs to do that (have an impact on the game),” Lohr said. “It almost like we expect it, she expects it (recording a double-double).”
Kristen Long added 11 points, three rebounds and two assists off the bench.
The Warriors will head to Ashland, Ohio for a matchup with the Findlay Oilers on March 9. As the conference’s first-place team, the Ashland Eagles host the remainder of the tournament.
Findlay bested WSU in overtime, 90-84, in January – the only meeting between the two this season.
“I think we’re a better team than we were back then when we first faced them,” Lohr said. “But certainly I would expect that they’re probably a better team too. That game when we played them could have (gone) either way, and I expect it’s probably going to be the same on Saturday. It’s really going to come down to the focus and really valuing every possession.”
Women's hoops win first NCAA tournament game in program history
Women's hoops win first NCAA tournament game in program history: As the old saying goes, “third time’s the charm.”
That was true for the Wayne State women’s basketball team (21-8) in the opening round of the 2013 NCAA Division II women‘s basketball tournament, as the Warriors defeated the No. 3 and GLIAC-foe Findlay Oilers, 63-58, in the third meeting between the two this season.
Findlay (25-6) defeated WSU in the first two meetings, including just six days ago, 67-60, in the GLIAC tournament semifinals.
In just the second appearance in the NCAA tournament in school history, the sixth-seeded Warriors picked up the team’s first tournament win at Kates Gymnasium in Ashland, Ohio -- the host site of the Midwest Regional.
They got off to a quick start, taking a 7-1 lead 2:42 into the game. A 10-4 run from the Oilers tied the game at 11 with 13:04 left in the first half.
Findlay took a four-point lead on two occasions, 14-11 and 19-15, but WSU tied it up at 19 with 5:36 remaining in the half.
The Warriors regained the lead, and at halftime, held a 28-24 lead.
WSU extended its lead to seven at 31-24 with a three-pointer to open the second half. The Oilers made it a 33-30 game, but the Warriors got the lead back to seven by scoring the next four points.
Findlay responded with an 8-0 run to take a one-point lead.
The game was tied at 40 with 13:45 left to play, and it was a back-and-forth affair from there.
There were three ties and four lead changes over the next nine minutes, with the final lead change being in the Warriors’ favor. They took a 53-52 lead at the 4:49 mark, and held a 59-54 lead with 1:55 remaining.
Findlay made it a three-point game, 59-56, one minute later, but three free-throws from Talisha Bridges and one from Juanita Cochran secured the victory.
Three Warriors--Cochran, Phaebre Colbert and Lena Thomas -- scored a game-high 15 points. Cochran and Colbert grabbed 15 and four rebounds, respectively, while Thomas dished out three assists. Cochran also tallied six blocks. Bridges contributed with 12 points, six rebounds and four assists.
WSU will take on No. 7-seed Wisconsin-Parkside, Saturday, March 16 at 5 p.m.
That was true for the Wayne State women’s basketball team (21-8) in the opening round of the 2013 NCAA Division II women‘s basketball tournament, as the Warriors defeated the No. 3 and GLIAC-foe Findlay Oilers, 63-58, in the third meeting between the two this season.
Findlay (25-6) defeated WSU in the first two meetings, including just six days ago, 67-60, in the GLIAC tournament semifinals.
In just the second appearance in the NCAA tournament in school history, the sixth-seeded Warriors picked up the team’s first tournament win at Kates Gymnasium in Ashland, Ohio -- the host site of the Midwest Regional.
They got off to a quick start, taking a 7-1 lead 2:42 into the game. A 10-4 run from the Oilers tied the game at 11 with 13:04 left in the first half.
Findlay took a four-point lead on two occasions, 14-11 and 19-15, but WSU tied it up at 19 with 5:36 remaining in the half.
The Warriors regained the lead, and at halftime, held a 28-24 lead.
WSU extended its lead to seven at 31-24 with a three-pointer to open the second half. The Oilers made it a 33-30 game, but the Warriors got the lead back to seven by scoring the next four points.
Findlay responded with an 8-0 run to take a one-point lead.
The game was tied at 40 with 13:45 left to play, and it was a back-and-forth affair from there.
There were three ties and four lead changes over the next nine minutes, with the final lead change being in the Warriors’ favor. They took a 53-52 lead at the 4:49 mark, and held a 59-54 lead with 1:55 remaining.
Findlay made it a three-point game, 59-56, one minute later, but three free-throws from Talisha Bridges and one from Juanita Cochran secured the victory.
Three Warriors--Cochran, Phaebre Colbert and Lena Thomas -- scored a game-high 15 points. Cochran and Colbert grabbed 15 and four rebounds, respectively, while Thomas dished out three assists. Cochran also tallied six blocks. Bridges contributed with 12 points, six rebounds and four assists.
WSU will take on No. 7-seed Wisconsin-Parkside, Saturday, March 16 at 5 p.m.
Victory is sweet for Warriors
Victory is sweet for Warriors: Juanita Cochran scored 25 points and pulled down 16 rebounds to lead the Wayne State women’s basketball team (22-8) to its first Sweet 16 appearance in school history with a 70-60 victory over the Wisconsin-Parkside Rangers (21-10), March 16.
With 17 lead changes in the game, it was a close one throughout.
The No. 7 Rangers scored the first two points of the game, but the sixth-seeded Warriors scored the next four points to go on top.
Trailing by a point, Cochran hit a free-throw to knot the score up at 5 apiece – one of three ties in the first six minutes of play.
WSU took a 10-7 lead at the 14:35 mark of the first half, but two Ranger free-throws 40 seconds later gave UWP the lead.
The Warriors scored the next four points to make it a 14-11 game, which would eventually get tied up at 17.
Leading 20-19, WSU went on a 7-0 run to take its largest lead of the half at 27-19 with 8:02 left until halftime. The Rangers responded though, closing the first half out on a 17-7 run to take a 36-34 lead into the intermission.
UWP scored the first two points out of the break, but another 7-0 Warriors run gave them a 41-38 lead.
The Rangers tied the game at 41 at the 16:45 mark, and the teams traded baskets and the lead over the next 14 minutes.
With 2:44 to play in the game and trailing 60-58, the Warriors took control. They scored the final 12 points of the contest, starting with two consecutive layups from Talisha Bridges to tie and take the lead.
WSU closed the game out with four free-throws and two field goals.
Cochran’s scoring and rebound totals were both game-highs, as well as her three blocks. Bridges added 19 points, a team-high four assists and three steals. Imari Redfield chipped-in with 10 points off the bench.
The Warriors will play the No. 1 team in the region and the No. 2 team in the country when they square off against the Ashland Eagles, Monday, March 18. Tipoff is at 7 p.m.
With 17 lead changes in the game, it was a close one throughout.
The No. 7 Rangers scored the first two points of the game, but the sixth-seeded Warriors scored the next four points to go on top.
Trailing by a point, Cochran hit a free-throw to knot the score up at 5 apiece – one of three ties in the first six minutes of play.
WSU took a 10-7 lead at the 14:35 mark of the first half, but two Ranger free-throws 40 seconds later gave UWP the lead.
The Warriors scored the next four points to make it a 14-11 game, which would eventually get tied up at 17.
Leading 20-19, WSU went on a 7-0 run to take its largest lead of the half at 27-19 with 8:02 left until halftime. The Rangers responded though, closing the first half out on a 17-7 run to take a 36-34 lead into the intermission.
UWP scored the first two points out of the break, but another 7-0 Warriors run gave them a 41-38 lead.
The Rangers tied the game at 41 at the 16:45 mark, and the teams traded baskets and the lead over the next 14 minutes.
With 2:44 to play in the game and trailing 60-58, the Warriors took control. They scored the final 12 points of the contest, starting with two consecutive layups from Talisha Bridges to tie and take the lead.
WSU closed the game out with four free-throws and two field goals.
Cochran’s scoring and rebound totals were both game-highs, as well as her three blocks. Bridges added 19 points, a team-high four assists and three steals. Imari Redfield chipped-in with 10 points off the bench.
The Warriors will play the No. 1 team in the region and the No. 2 team in the country when they square off against the Ashland Eagles, Monday, March 18. Tipoff is at 7 p.m.
Warriors fall to No. 2 Ashland in Sweet 16, 72-63
Warriors fall to No. 2 Ashland in Sweet 16, 72-63: The magical run has come to an end.
The Wayne State women’s basketball team (22-9) had an eight-point lead with 11:42 remaining in its Sweet 16 matchup with the No. 2 Ashland Eagles (34-1), but couldn’t seal the deal as the Eagles rallied to claim a 72-63 Midwest Regional championship victory on March 18, ending the Warriors’ season.
Playing on its home court, Ashland held an 11-4 lead after 4:31 of play. The Warriors scored five consecutive points to make it an 11-9 game at the 13:13 mark of the opening half.
The Eagles extended their lead to double-digits, 23-13, with a 12-4 run. WSU cut the deficit to six at 25-19 with 5:01 remaining in the half. But Ashland built its lead up to 11 at 32-21 and held a 36-26 lead at halftime.
WSU came out of intermission strong, going on a 12-2 run to tie the game at 38 with 16:14 minutes left.
Ashland reclaimed the lead for a moment, but an 8-0 gave the Warriors a 50-42 lead with 11:42 to play in the contest. The Eagles chipped away at the lead and tied the game at 58 with 6:08 to go.
The Warriors quickly regained the lead, but Ashland would tie. A Talisha Bridges free throw gave WSU a 61-60 lead with 4:34 remaining, but it would be its final lead of the game.
An Eagles jumper gave them a 62-61 lead and they outscored WSU 9-2 in the final 2:54 to advance to the Elite 8.
In their final game as Warriors, Bridges and Juanita Cochran had big games to lead WSU. Bridges finished with a game-high 18 points, nine rebounds, a game-high four steals and four blocks. Cochran recorded another double-double, scoring 15 points and grabbing a game-high 17 rebounds, as well as tallying a game-high five blocks. Fellow senior Phaebre Colbert added 10 points and six rebounds off the bench.
WSU finished one win shy of the school record of 23-5 set by the 1980-81 team.
Now that they have established themselves as a viable tournament team, WSU will look to build upon this success for the future.
__Check back with The South End to read a recap of the entire season as well as thoughts from Coach Lohr and the players about their tournament run.__
The Wayne State women’s basketball team (22-9) had an eight-point lead with 11:42 remaining in its Sweet 16 matchup with the No. 2 Ashland Eagles (34-1), but couldn’t seal the deal as the Eagles rallied to claim a 72-63 Midwest Regional championship victory on March 18, ending the Warriors’ season.
Playing on its home court, Ashland held an 11-4 lead after 4:31 of play. The Warriors scored five consecutive points to make it an 11-9 game at the 13:13 mark of the opening half.
The Eagles extended their lead to double-digits, 23-13, with a 12-4 run. WSU cut the deficit to six at 25-19 with 5:01 remaining in the half. But Ashland built its lead up to 11 at 32-21 and held a 36-26 lead at halftime.
WSU came out of intermission strong, going on a 12-2 run to tie the game at 38 with 16:14 minutes left.
Ashland reclaimed the lead for a moment, but an 8-0 gave the Warriors a 50-42 lead with 11:42 to play in the contest. The Eagles chipped away at the lead and tied the game at 58 with 6:08 to go.
The Warriors quickly regained the lead, but Ashland would tie. A Talisha Bridges free throw gave WSU a 61-60 lead with 4:34 remaining, but it would be its final lead of the game.
An Eagles jumper gave them a 62-61 lead and they outscored WSU 9-2 in the final 2:54 to advance to the Elite 8.
In their final game as Warriors, Bridges and Juanita Cochran had big games to lead WSU. Bridges finished with a game-high 18 points, nine rebounds, a game-high four steals and four blocks. Cochran recorded another double-double, scoring 15 points and grabbing a game-high 17 rebounds, as well as tallying a game-high five blocks. Fellow senior Phaebre Colbert added 10 points and six rebounds off the bench.
WSU finished one win shy of the school record of 23-5 set by the 1980-81 team.
Now that they have established themselves as a viable tournament team, WSU will look to build upon this success for the future.
__Check back with The South End to read a recap of the entire season as well as thoughts from Coach Lohr and the players about their tournament run.__
Women’s hoops exceed expectations
Women’s hoops exceed expectations: Picked to finish sixth in the GLIAC North Division in a preseason poll of the conference’s coaches, not much was expected out of the Wayne State women’s basketball team this season. Despite these low expectations, the 2012-2013 Warriors defied them and finished with the best season in the program’s history.
“I was a little disappointed with that preseason poll,” Warriors head coach Carrie Lohr said. “But I also looked at it as a motivator.”
The Warriors wrapped up the season on March 18 with a 72-63 loss to the 2nd-ranked Ashland Eagles in the NCAA tournament’s Sweet 16.
It was WSU’s first Sweet 16 appearance in school history. The Warriors finished the season at 22-9, one win shy of tying the school record for wins in a season.
They won a share of the GLIAC North Division title and the program’s first NCAA tournament game.
The season opened up Nov. 2 at Division I Western Michigan. The Warriors didn’t back down to their D-I foe, defeating the Broncos 66-57, giving WSU a boost of confidence heading into the season.
“It definitely gave us confidence in our non-league games,” Lohr said. “Beating Western at Western, it’s like, ‘Okay, we can win these games.’ Had we not done what we did at Western Michigan we could have folded early.”
WSU lost its next two exhibition games, though, and lost its first two regular season games.
Heading into the WSU Holiday Classic, the Warriors posted a 4-3 record. They won the tournament by defeating the University of Missouri- St. Louis and Urbania University.
It wasn’t until mid-January that the Warriors really found their form. A Jan. 19 victory over Northern Michigan started a nine-game winning streak.
“Things just seemed to really click for us,” Lohr said.
The streak ended on Feb. 23 at Grand Valley State, the first leg of a three-game road trip to close the regular season. That road trip cost the Warriors an outright division championship as they lost at GVSU and Walsh University, allowing Michigan Tech to gain ground on WSU. But, in their final regular season game at Lake Superior State, the Warriors clinched a share of the title.
“All of a sudden we started to establish (the team’s identity) and then we were starting to feel it and starting to believe it and we were playing well, and we might have almost went to the other extreme and got ahead of ourselves a little bit wanting to embrace that GLIAC title on our own,” Lohr said.
Having to share the division title may have benefited the Warriors. There was a lesson to be learned in those final three games that carried over into the postseason.
“It didn’t feel good at the time, but maybe there is a time when a loss isn’t so bad and it makes you kind of grow in the long run,” Lohr said. “Had that not happened to us (sharing the title), maybe there were times even in our postseason run we wouldn’t have been able to value each game and value where we were because we knew it could be taken from us.”
Next was the GLIAC tournament in which WSU hosted its first postseason game since 2003. They rebounded from the two-game losing streak and beat the Ferris State Bulldogs.
However, they were ousted by the Findlay Oilers in the next game.
WSU earned a No. 6 seed in the NCAA tournament, where they would meet Findlay for the third time. It won a close matchup to advance.
“You dream about it,” senior forward Talisha Bridges said, “then when it actually happens it’s like, ‘Whoa, this is my reality now’. I told myself after every win I’m dancing. I don’t care how many games it takes, all the games up until we get to San Antonio I’m dancing. And sure enough I danced after every game. It’s just such an amazing feeling.”
Wisconsin-Parkside was WSU’s next opponent, one that it would defeat for a place in the Sweet 16 where it would meet Ashland.
“By beating Findlay in the fashion and the way that we did, I think that energy swung us right through Wisconsin-Parkside,” Lohr said. “We were on such an adrenaline rush that that just swung us through.”
Playing at home, the Eagles - last season’s national runner-up - were a heavy favorite. However, the Warriors held an eight-point lead with just over 10 minutes remaining in the contest. Ashland rallied, though, eliminating WSU.
“I think as a player, as a former player and as a coach, being on that sideline, in that environment, you couldn’t ask to end your career any other way,” Lohr said.
While the Warriors won as a team - this season’s success was truly a team effort - three players stood out as the team’s leaders. Bridges, Juanita Cochran and Phaebre Colbert were WSU’s top three scorers and rebounders. Bridges finished as the team’s leading scorer, averaging 15.5 points per game and 6.9 rebounds per game. Cochran averaged 11.8 ppg and a team-leading 9.8 rpg. Colbert posted 10.1 ppg and 6.9 rpg.
“All three of them have really been ambassadors for us,” Lohr said. “They take care of business on and off the court. They’re going to do it the right way.”
This season served as some sort of redemption for these student-athletes, as each faced adversity in their first three years of playing college basketball. Bridges and Cochran started their careers at the University of New Orleans, but the program was cut after one year. They transferred to Stony Brook University, but family losses would allow them to find their place at WSU.
“It’s a cliché line, but everything happens for a reason,” Bridges said, who was voted to the All-GLIAC First Team, All-GLIAC Defensive Squad, All-Midwest Region Second Team and was a three-time All-GLIAC North Player of the Week. “To get to this point now, it’s just really a truly humbling feeling.”
“I definitely feel like this is a blessing,” Cochran said, an All-GLIAC Second Team and GLIAC All-Tournament team member and GLIAC Player of the Week in February. “Going through adversity you learn there are different life lessons, and so the adversity through going through New Orleans and Stony Brook, there is something I can always have for life. The experience as a whole has been amazing.”
Colbert spent her entire career at WSU and after three losing seasons, coaching changes and player turnover, her patience paid off as the Warriors made it to the NCAA Tournament and she was voted to the All-GLIAC Second Team and was named GLIAC North Player of the Week in February.
“With this team this year, the chemistry was just great,” she said. “We all had the same goal, we all knew what we wanted to do at the end of the season. I just feel like we were more of a family. This is the best group of girls I’ve been around and it was great to do it with them and accomplish all the things we did.”
With the departure of Bridges, Cochran and Colbert, as well as three other seniors, Lohr and the remaining Warriors have a tough road ahead of them next season.
“We have a lot of work to do,” Lohr said. “It’s even going to be tougher now, the second go-around.”
“I was a little disappointed with that preseason poll,” Warriors head coach Carrie Lohr said. “But I also looked at it as a motivator.”
The Warriors wrapped up the season on March 18 with a 72-63 loss to the 2nd-ranked Ashland Eagles in the NCAA tournament’s Sweet 16.
It was WSU’s first Sweet 16 appearance in school history. The Warriors finished the season at 22-9, one win shy of tying the school record for wins in a season.
They won a share of the GLIAC North Division title and the program’s first NCAA tournament game.
The season opened up Nov. 2 at Division I Western Michigan. The Warriors didn’t back down to their D-I foe, defeating the Broncos 66-57, giving WSU a boost of confidence heading into the season.
“It definitely gave us confidence in our non-league games,” Lohr said. “Beating Western at Western, it’s like, ‘Okay, we can win these games.’ Had we not done what we did at Western Michigan we could have folded early.”
WSU lost its next two exhibition games, though, and lost its first two regular season games.
Heading into the WSU Holiday Classic, the Warriors posted a 4-3 record. They won the tournament by defeating the University of Missouri- St. Louis and Urbania University.
It wasn’t until mid-January that the Warriors really found their form. A Jan. 19 victory over Northern Michigan started a nine-game winning streak.
“Things just seemed to really click for us,” Lohr said.
The streak ended on Feb. 23 at Grand Valley State, the first leg of a three-game road trip to close the regular season. That road trip cost the Warriors an outright division championship as they lost at GVSU and Walsh University, allowing Michigan Tech to gain ground on WSU. But, in their final regular season game at Lake Superior State, the Warriors clinched a share of the title.
“All of a sudden we started to establish (the team’s identity) and then we were starting to feel it and starting to believe it and we were playing well, and we might have almost went to the other extreme and got ahead of ourselves a little bit wanting to embrace that GLIAC title on our own,” Lohr said.
Having to share the division title may have benefited the Warriors. There was a lesson to be learned in those final three games that carried over into the postseason.
“It didn’t feel good at the time, but maybe there is a time when a loss isn’t so bad and it makes you kind of grow in the long run,” Lohr said. “Had that not happened to us (sharing the title), maybe there were times even in our postseason run we wouldn’t have been able to value each game and value where we were because we knew it could be taken from us.”
Next was the GLIAC tournament in which WSU hosted its first postseason game since 2003. They rebounded from the two-game losing streak and beat the Ferris State Bulldogs.
However, they were ousted by the Findlay Oilers in the next game.
WSU earned a No. 6 seed in the NCAA tournament, where they would meet Findlay for the third time. It won a close matchup to advance.
“You dream about it,” senior forward Talisha Bridges said, “then when it actually happens it’s like, ‘Whoa, this is my reality now’. I told myself after every win I’m dancing. I don’t care how many games it takes, all the games up until we get to San Antonio I’m dancing. And sure enough I danced after every game. It’s just such an amazing feeling.”
Wisconsin-Parkside was WSU’s next opponent, one that it would defeat for a place in the Sweet 16 where it would meet Ashland.
“By beating Findlay in the fashion and the way that we did, I think that energy swung us right through Wisconsin-Parkside,” Lohr said. “We were on such an adrenaline rush that that just swung us through.”
Playing at home, the Eagles - last season’s national runner-up - were a heavy favorite. However, the Warriors held an eight-point lead with just over 10 minutes remaining in the contest. Ashland rallied, though, eliminating WSU.
“I think as a player, as a former player and as a coach, being on that sideline, in that environment, you couldn’t ask to end your career any other way,” Lohr said.
While the Warriors won as a team - this season’s success was truly a team effort - three players stood out as the team’s leaders. Bridges, Juanita Cochran and Phaebre Colbert were WSU’s top three scorers and rebounders. Bridges finished as the team’s leading scorer, averaging 15.5 points per game and 6.9 rebounds per game. Cochran averaged 11.8 ppg and a team-leading 9.8 rpg. Colbert posted 10.1 ppg and 6.9 rpg.
“All three of them have really been ambassadors for us,” Lohr said. “They take care of business on and off the court. They’re going to do it the right way.”
This season served as some sort of redemption for these student-athletes, as each faced adversity in their first three years of playing college basketball. Bridges and Cochran started their careers at the University of New Orleans, but the program was cut after one year. They transferred to Stony Brook University, but family losses would allow them to find their place at WSU.
“It’s a cliché line, but everything happens for a reason,” Bridges said, who was voted to the All-GLIAC First Team, All-GLIAC Defensive Squad, All-Midwest Region Second Team and was a three-time All-GLIAC North Player of the Week. “To get to this point now, it’s just really a truly humbling feeling.”
“I definitely feel like this is a blessing,” Cochran said, an All-GLIAC Second Team and GLIAC All-Tournament team member and GLIAC Player of the Week in February. “Going through adversity you learn there are different life lessons, and so the adversity through going through New Orleans and Stony Brook, there is something I can always have for life. The experience as a whole has been amazing.”
Colbert spent her entire career at WSU and after three losing seasons, coaching changes and player turnover, her patience paid off as the Warriors made it to the NCAA Tournament and she was voted to the All-GLIAC Second Team and was named GLIAC North Player of the Week in February.
“With this team this year, the chemistry was just great,” she said. “We all had the same goal, we all knew what we wanted to do at the end of the season. I just feel like we were more of a family. This is the best group of girls I’ve been around and it was great to do it with them and accomplish all the things we did.”
With the departure of Bridges, Cochran and Colbert, as well as three other seniors, Lohr and the remaining Warriors have a tough road ahead of them next season.
“We have a lot of work to do,” Lohr said. “It’s even going to be tougher now, the second go-around.”
Men’s basketball to play in foreign tour for first time
Men’s basketball to play in foreign tour for first time: For the first time, the Wayne State men’s basketball program will compete in a six-day-long Certified Foreign Tour in Toronto and Montreal, playing three games against university-level basketball programs, starting Aug. 9.
“This is our first time actually going (on a foreign tour),” said Warriors’ head coach David Greer.“Money purposes and everything, Canada just fits.”
The reason for choosing this season to be the first time the team goes on a foreign tour, Greer said, is to get injured players, and players who sat out last season, back into basketball shape before the regular season starts.
“Basically (we’re going on the tour) because we had some guys last year who got banged up, Mike Hollingsworth didn’t play, Ian Larkin had a little minor hip surgery at the end of the season and then we had a couple kids sitting out last year that didn’t get a chance to play,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity for those guys to get some experience against some college level competition.”
According to Greer, the team will get 10 practice days, which is a great benefit for him because over the summer “you’re not allowed to actually have access to your team.”
“Getting the opportunity for 10 days of practice to get the guys back in the gym and work on some fundamental stuff is great,” he said.
But the tour isn’t all about basketball, Greer pointed out. He noted that it is a great opportunity for the players to experience a different culture.
“It will be a good cultural experience for the guys,” he said. “Montreal is a very exciting place so hopefully they’ll get a chance to enjoy themselves and do some sightseeing, (while) mixing in a little basketball.
“It’s one of those situations where the guys can relax and play and still have an enjoyable experience,” Greer said.
As announced last week, three new Warriors were added to the team this offseason. Those players are freshmen forward Mike Lewis and guard Robert Andrews and Liberty University transfer Chene Phillips, who spent the past two seasons playing for the Division I Flames.
“He’s a very intelligent kid,” Greer said about Lewis. “He brings a level of toughness, good defensive player. I anticipate him being able to come in and be able to contribute as a freshman.”
On Andrews, Greer said he’s “very explosive, a good athlete also.(I) certainly think Robert has the ability to contribute.”
“We’re excited about Phillips,” Greer said. “He gives us a great defensive guard. Chene is more than capable of stepping in and providing (for) some of the loss (of Dale Brundidge and Stacey Waters).”
Although he’s already signed three players this summer, Greer is still in search of talented players to add to his squad.
“Recruiting is an ongoing process,” Greer said.“We’re still working with some young men, trying to get them acclimated before school, trying to fill that big man void a little bit. Hopefully we can get a couple guys here before (the offseason) is over.”
“This is our first time actually going (on a foreign tour),” said Warriors’ head coach David Greer.“Money purposes and everything, Canada just fits.”
The reason for choosing this season to be the first time the team goes on a foreign tour, Greer said, is to get injured players, and players who sat out last season, back into basketball shape before the regular season starts.
“Basically (we’re going on the tour) because we had some guys last year who got banged up, Mike Hollingsworth didn’t play, Ian Larkin had a little minor hip surgery at the end of the season and then we had a couple kids sitting out last year that didn’t get a chance to play,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity for those guys to get some experience against some college level competition.”
According to Greer, the team will get 10 practice days, which is a great benefit for him because over the summer “you’re not allowed to actually have access to your team.”
“Getting the opportunity for 10 days of practice to get the guys back in the gym and work on some fundamental stuff is great,” he said.
But the tour isn’t all about basketball, Greer pointed out. He noted that it is a great opportunity for the players to experience a different culture.
“It will be a good cultural experience for the guys,” he said. “Montreal is a very exciting place so hopefully they’ll get a chance to enjoy themselves and do some sightseeing, (while) mixing in a little basketball.
“It’s one of those situations where the guys can relax and play and still have an enjoyable experience,” Greer said.
As announced last week, three new Warriors were added to the team this offseason. Those players are freshmen forward Mike Lewis and guard Robert Andrews and Liberty University transfer Chene Phillips, who spent the past two seasons playing for the Division I Flames.
“He’s a very intelligent kid,” Greer said about Lewis. “He brings a level of toughness, good defensive player. I anticipate him being able to come in and be able to contribute as a freshman.”
On Andrews, Greer said he’s “very explosive, a good athlete also.(I) certainly think Robert has the ability to contribute.”
“We’re excited about Phillips,” Greer said. “He gives us a great defensive guard. Chene is more than capable of stepping in and providing (for) some of the loss (of Dale Brundidge and Stacey Waters).”
Although he’s already signed three players this summer, Greer is still in search of talented players to add to his squad.
“Recruiting is an ongoing process,” Greer said.“We’re still working with some young men, trying to get them acclimated before school, trying to fill that big man void a little bit. Hopefully we can get a couple guys here before (the offseason) is over.”
Women's basketball downed by undefeated Ashland
Women's basketball downed by undefeated Ashland: In its GLIAC home opener, the Wayne State women’s basketball team (2-3 overall, 2-1 GLIAC) lost to the No. 1 Ashland Eagles (9-0 overall, 3-0 GLIAC), 77-58.
While the final score might indicate otherwise, the Warriors got off to a good start against the nation’s top-ranked team.
After the Eagles scored the first basket of the game, WSU went on a 7-0 run. But Ashland responded to tie the game at 11-11, and take a three-point lead, 14-11. The Warriors would tie it at 14.
That was at the 13:11 mark of the first half. For the next eight minutes, the two teams played each other close with neither team gaining a sizeable advantage – the largest lead was four points.
With 5:09 remaining in the half, the score was tied at 30-30.
But the game would take a turn for the worst, at least for the Warriors.
Ashland used a 15-3 run to take a 45-33 lead into halftime.
Things didn’t fare much better for the Warriors in the second half, as the Eagles continued to lead by double digits for most of the game. WSU would get the deficit into single digits early in the half, but never got closer than seven points (51-44).
The Eagles cruised to victory in the second half, leading by as many as 21 points.
They dominated the paint, outscoring WSU 44-28 on the inside, and outrebounded them by 18 (54-36).
The Warriors didn’t have an answer for the Preseason GLIAC Player of the Year, Kari Daughtery, as her 29 points and 18 rebounds were both game- highs.
A bright spot for the Warriors was Phaebe Colbert’s performance. She tallied a double-double, recording 16 points and 13 rebounds to lead WSU in both categories. Talisha Bridges contributed with 13 points and five rebounds, while Deanna Crumpton finished with eight points and five boards.
The Warriors host the Lake Erie College Storm Dec. 9 for a 4 p.m. tip.
While the final score might indicate otherwise, the Warriors got off to a good start against the nation’s top-ranked team.
After the Eagles scored the first basket of the game, WSU went on a 7-0 run. But Ashland responded to tie the game at 11-11, and take a three-point lead, 14-11. The Warriors would tie it at 14.
That was at the 13:11 mark of the first half. For the next eight minutes, the two teams played each other close with neither team gaining a sizeable advantage – the largest lead was four points.
With 5:09 remaining in the half, the score was tied at 30-30.
But the game would take a turn for the worst, at least for the Warriors.
Ashland used a 15-3 run to take a 45-33 lead into halftime.
Things didn’t fare much better for the Warriors in the second half, as the Eagles continued to lead by double digits for most of the game. WSU would get the deficit into single digits early in the half, but never got closer than seven points (51-44).
The Eagles cruised to victory in the second half, leading by as many as 21 points.
They dominated the paint, outscoring WSU 44-28 on the inside, and outrebounded them by 18 (54-36).
The Warriors didn’t have an answer for the Preseason GLIAC Player of the Year, Kari Daughtery, as her 29 points and 18 rebounds were both game- highs.
A bright spot for the Warriors was Phaebe Colbert’s performance. She tallied a double-double, recording 16 points and 13 rebounds to lead WSU in both categories. Talisha Bridges contributed with 13 points and five rebounds, while Deanna Crumpton finished with eight points and five boards.
The Warriors host the Lake Erie College Storm Dec. 9 for a 4 p.m. tip.
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