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NOV.
6 — Big-Time Season Opener Doesn't Disappoint
Fans
flock to see ranked teams battle early on; Leafs lose to
Cornerstone, 67-51 |
Grand
Rapids, MI — The Goshen College 2004-2005 women’s
basketball season began in a big way at Cornerstone University
Saturday afternoon, as the Leafs wasted no time in getting a
test of their 18th national ranking: Goshen found a raucous crowd
awaiting them at the Bernice Hanson Athletic Center, and dropped
a tough 67-51 decision to the 13th-ranked Golden Eagles.
“We didn’t handle the pressure of opening the season on the floor
of a top ranked team as well as I would have liked,” said Steve Wiktorowski,
Goshen head coach. “We were nervous in front of their big crowd and didn’t
match their physical play or defensive pressure in the first half. We made a
good run at them in the second half as we began to play better defense and executed
with more composure, but we were unable to sustain it late.”
Goshen (0-1, 0-0) could only muster a six for 18 shooting effort (33 percent)
in the game’s first half, falling behind by a 36-23 count at the intermission.
A better effort defensively gave Wiktorowski’s team a big advantage at
the free throw line — 19 for 27 (70 percent) compared to Cornerstone’s
three for six (50 percent) — but turnovers (21) and rough shooting performance
(13 for 39, 33 percent) made it tough to mount a true comeback. Aside from the
charity stripe, Goshen was able to make full use of the three-point arc, knocking
in six of 10 (60 percent) for the game. On the afternoon, Cornerstone was able
to connect on 29 of 63 attempts (46 percent) and outrebounded the Leafs by a
39-30 count, 14 to seven on the offensive end.
“We did a good job of getting to the free throw line 27 times to their
six, we outrebounded their bigger players in the second half, and shot well from
the three-point line,” Wiktorowski said. “I think this will end up
being a very valuable experience this early in the season and we will improve
a lot because of it.”
The Leafs were led by senior Candice Williams’ 12 points on three for seven
shooting, including two of two from behind the arc and four for four performance
from the line. Classmate Kortney Hanson provided 11 to go with four rebounds
on a three for four effort from downtown. Sophomore Danielle Haney notched nine
points while grabbing a team-high nine rebounds. MCC Player of the Year Erin
McDugle (senior) was held to just eight points on the day before fouling out.
“Kortney Hason shot the ball well in the second half which gave our offense
some confidence,” Wiktorowski said. “Danielle Haney physically defended
and rebounded well despite being outsized all day. We’ve got some improvements
to make, but all in all I think this game will help us in the long run.”
Goshen will open its home season Tuesday night, when Trinity Christian College
will visit the Roman Gingerich Center. Game time is slated for 7:30 p.m. |
  Senior
Candice Williams
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