The Observer, December 9, 2005
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 13
Second half surge stops Lady Spartans
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The Case women's basketball team had another quality opponent on the ropes at home again Wednesday night but was unable to bring home the victory. The 23rd-ranked Kenyon Ladies came to town and left with a 54-51 victory and their undefeated season (8-0) intact. The Ladies were tested by the Spartans, who led by as many as 10 points during the contest. Case was led by senior guard Amber Hammell's 16-point effort.
In the opening half, Case started slow before a three pointer by Hammell gave the Spartans their first basket of the game with 16:43 remaining. Hammell's three sparked a 12-0 run over the next six minutes until the Ladies hit a three pointer with 10:27 remaining in the opening stanza. Case took its largest lead of the first 20 minutes when junior guard Maria Jackson hit a baseline jumper, giving Case a 23-15 lead with 5:58 left. Case took the lead into the locker room at the half, 27-21. Hammell's seven points led Case in the first half. Freshman forward Colleen Martin hit all three of her field goal attempts and added a free throw.
Throughout the game, Martin provided a spark off the bench with her hustle and nose for the ball.
"I just love to go after the ball," Martin said. "I was fired up tonight." Martin finished the game with 11 points, four rebounds, and six steals.
Unlike the first, the Lady Spartans started the second half strong, with Ashley Horton scoring two consecutive baskets down low. The Spartans extended the lead to nine after a Hammell runner in the lane. From this point forward, however, Kenyon increased its intensity, beginning with a 9-0 run to tie the game at 35. Case continued to keep it close and held a 50-46 lead with 3:30 remaining in the game. It looked as though Case would earn a hard-fought victory against a nationally ranked opponent in front of the home crowd.
It was not to be, however, as Case went into a scoring drought, managing only one more point the rest of the way. The Spartans were understandably frustrated after the game, knowing that a winnable game against a quality opponent had slipped away. However, Kenyon made clutch shots down the stretch and validated its national ranking.
"That team we played tonight is 8-0," coach Jacki Windon said. "They are a great basketball team and are the best we have seen to date."
One of the key factors in Kenyon's comeback was its domination of the boards, finishing the game with 40 rebounds compared to Case's 31.
"If we had a breakdown, it was on the glass," she said. "We cannot allow a team that good to have second or third chances. They are good enough on the first."
Despite the outcome, Amber Hammell enjoyed possibly her best game of the season, finishing with 16 points. After the game, Hammell, noticeably more concerned with the loss than her individual performance, was modest when talking about her game.
"I've been in a slump lately, so I've been trying to make up for it in other areas," Hammell said.
Coach Windon, though, was not so bashful about her star performer, describing the senior guard as the "heart" of the team.
"I could fill your newspaper with quotes about Amber Hammell," Windon said. "You wouldn't have enough pages. Talk about the heart of a basketball team. Her commitment and passion are unbelievable."
Now the Spartans get a chance to regroup over winter break, not returning to action until they take a trip to Bluffton College on Dec. 28.
Sports Editor Rick Balazs contributed to this report.
