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« Brokebackmania | Main | Piper gymnasts start season with fresh mix of talent »
Now that we’re back from J-Term, it’s time to get everyone updated on womens basketball. Before the break, the season was just getting under way, but now the team is in full swing. January was a month full of ups and downs for the Pipers, with a few more downs than ups. Head coach Melissa Young-Kruse has led this year’s squad to a losing record of 6-9 in MIAC games. Overall the team has a record of 9-10 and they are currently sitting in 8th place in the MIAC. The Pipers finished 7-17 and tied for ninth place in the conference last year. This is Young-Kruse’s second year and there has been marginal improvement in the standings. Though the standings don’t always show it this is a very well coached team, and some players have had exceptional seasons.
Senior forward Laurisa Ewert has led the team in scoring and rebound in nearly every other game. Ewert averages 13 points and 8 rebounds a night, but it’s her stellar defense play that makes her invaluable to the team.
Senior Kelly Lines has had a good season too. She is the team’s third leading scorer with 10 points a game but she is also good at distributing the ball. Lines leads the team with 39 assists this season. She was game-saving last week against St. Olaf. Near the end of the game, the Pipers were trailing 57-54. With just under a minute remaining, Lines nailed a pair of free throws to cut the lead 57-56. Ewert went down to the other end of the court to come down with the defensive rebound. With the Piper offense and time running out, Lines dished the ball to Ewert and she hit the jumper to give the Pipers the lead and the game.
Before the season started the MIAC coach’s poll expected the Pipers to finish in ninth again. Things are beginning to wrap up and other teams in the conference have already clinched playoff berths. Concordia and second place St. Benedict have clinched playoff spots. Concordia has a record of (12-2) at the top of the MIAC. Hamline has four games left in the MIAC so they have the opportunity to finish fairly well with in the conference, depending on who beats who. Hopefully the season wraps up with more ups than downs.
Posted by dwright at February 7, 2006 12:20 AM
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