The Observer, February 18, 2005
Volume XXXVII, Issue 18
Lady Spartans demolish Chicago but fall to Wash U.
The Case women's basketball team split a pair of UAA home games last weekend, bringing the Spartans' record to 9-11, 4-6 in the UAA, on the year.
On Friday, Case jumped out early against a tough Chicago team, starting on a 19-8 run in the opening 10 minutes. Case's three starting guards–Amber Hammell, Keesha Allen, and Dana Dempsey–all scored in double figures in the opening half as the Spartans shot 52.9 percent from the floor, including converting seven of 12 attempts from behind the arc. The Spartans held a 23-17 rebounding edge at the half as well, helping them gain a 44-21 lead.
Case's shooting cooled to 41.9 percent in the second half, but the Spartan defense held the Maroons to just 27.6 percent for the game while not allowing a single three-pointer. The Spartans continued their dominance on the boards, winning the rebounding battle for the game by a margin of 45-34, as the Spartans cruised to an easy 77-49 victory. The win avenged a 75-72 loss to the Maroons on Jan. 16 in Chicago.
Coach Jacki Windon received solid performances from several of her players. Forwards Ashley Horton and Carmen Rowan pulled down nine boards apiece while Allen added eight. Dempsey led all scorers with 20 points and Allen added 17 points while dishing out seven assists. Hammell rounded out the Spartans in double figures as she added 14 points and four assists.
Things got a little tougher when the 13th-ranked Washington University Bears came into Horsburgh Gymnasium on Sunday afternoon. Fueled by a 42-18 scoring advantage in the paint, Washington beat Case 76-62.
The Spartans hung tough in the opening half as they trailed by only one point, 30-29, at the half. Washington started the game out shooting 43.3 percent while the Spartans shot a modest 36.7 percent. The Bears held a 23-20 edge on the boards in the opening 20 minutes as well. The Spartans held on for most of the game, and the score was tied at 58 with 4:32 remaining, but the Bears went on an 18-4 run to win the game. The Bears heated up in the second half shooting 54.5 percent from the floor while Case dropped slightly to 35.5 percent. For the game, Washington had a 46-37 rebounding edge and forced 15 Spartan turnovers. The Bears also blocked seven shots on the defensive end of the floor, including four by center Hallie Hutchens, who dominated the game with 21 points and 14 rebounds.
Allen led the Spartans with 17 points and five assists while Dempsey added 16. Hammell rounded out the Spartans in double figures with 12 points while Carmen Rowan had a team high seven rebounds.
The Spartans travel to the east coast for the weekend. Tonight they take on New York University for a 6 p.m. game. Sunday's game is in Boston with a 3 p.m. tip against Brandeis.
