The Observer, December 8, 2006
Volume XXXIX, Issue 13
Tondo provides spark in Lady Spartan victory
The Lady Spartans defeated the Grove City Women's Basketball team last Saturday at Horsburgh Gymnasium, 70-58. Despite the relatively close score, there was never much question as to what the eventual outcome of the game would be. Grove City played just well enough throughout the game to prevent Case from turning the game into a blowout, but it was clear that Grove City did not possess the firepower necessary to mount a comeback. Any run that the Wolverines managed to go on was quickly matched by the Spartans.
The win moved the team's record to 5-1, while Grove City dropped to 0-5. The Spartans were led by senior guard Dana Dempsey, who scored 18 points on seven of 15 shooting from the field, and junior post Ashley Horton, who grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds.
In the opening half, Case started slowly before senior guard Maria Jackson nailed a 15-foot jump shot from the right wing at the 16:44 mark. From there the ladies took off on a 21-9 run, capped off by freshman Ashleigh Tondo's 3-point field goal shot with just under six minutes to play in the half. Throughout the game, Tondo added an energetic spark to the team.
"Our style is to get out and run as much as possible," Tondo said. "Playing such a fast-paced style means that there are going to be substitutions, and everyone is going to have an opportunity to play. When I am out there, I work as hard as I can and try to do everything possible to help the team win."
Tondo led the Lady Spartans after 20 minutes of play with nine points off the bench, while Case's lead stood at 10 points, 38-28.
Showing their resilience, the Wolverines battled back in the second half and Case was unable to seal the door shut until about 5:00 remaining in the ballgame.
"It was a long week for us," head coach Jacki Windon said. "We really pushed the girls hard this week, despite coming off a tough win at Wooster. We were fairly sure of what to expect out of Grove City, and we wanted to see the girls overcome some adversity while still getting the win."
Windon showed no signs of nervousness as Grove City forward Rachel McCoy hit a jump shot to narrow the score to 53-47 with slightly more than five minutes to go in the game. The Wolverines would get no closer than six points the rest of the game as Case continued to show its ability to get crucial defensive stops and play intelligently on offense.
Case finished the game with three players in double figures. Dempsey had 18, Tondo scored 17, and Maria Jackson chipped in 10 points to go along with three assists and three blocks.
The Lady Spartans will next be in action on Dec. 16 when Bluffton invades Horsburgh Gym for a 3 p.m. game.
