That's about if for the NCAA tournament coverage. But who knows, maybe there will be blogs going for most MSU teams by the time next season starts? And finally, for even more coverage on the MSU women's basketball team and its NCAA Championship, make sure to pick up the MSU Reporter Tuesday. There will be plenty to read.
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Sunday, March 29, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
First-Ever Champions
By Kyle Ratke and Josh Berhow
SAN ANTONIO — Sitting at the press table Tuesday afternoon, minutes after beating Michigan Tech to advance to the NCAA Division II semifinals, Alex Andrews said she wanted to be one of the few players who ended their career with a win.
And on Friday, the senior forward’s career-high 25 points helped her do so.
“It’s perfect,” said Andrews, fighting back tears after the Mavericks first-ever NCAA Championship. “It’s just unreal. It’s awesome.”
Led by Andrews and Heather Johnson’s 29 points, the Mavericks dropped Franklin Pierce 103-94 to be crowned NCAA Division II Champions Friday at Bill Greehey Arena on the campus of St. Mary’s University.
Andrews was one of five seniors on the Mavericks’ roster to end their college career with a win.
“My whole life has revolved around basketball,” said senior guard Joanne Noreen. “It’s everything I wanted and I’m just glad to end my career at MSU with a win.”
The Mavericks used their run and gun offense from the initial tip-off, and after totaling 58 first-half points, their lead was only two at halftime.
“What a great game for the advancement of women’s basketball,” said MSU head coach Pam Gohl, who won a national championship in her first year heading the Mavericks. “We couldn’t figure out how to stop them, but thank God we scored more than them.”
Led by Johannah and Jennifer Leedman, who combined for 30 first-half points, the Ravens kept the Mavericks on their heels. MSU’s fast-paced offense finally found a worthy counterpart, not something the Mavericks’ are used to seeing from their opponent.
“Absolutely not,” said Noreen. “We got a taste of our own medicine.”
It was the Mavericks’ third 100-point game of the season. They led for most of it, but things looked grim late in the second half as they trailed 82-74 with 10 minutes left in the game.
Heather Johnson nailed two big 3-pointers to help the Mavericks tie the game at 84 with 6:51 left. Johnson, along with Noreen and Andrews, was named to the All-Tournament Team. Johnson was named MVP, her third MVP award this season.
“We never put our heads down,” Johnson said. “Being down eight points didn’t faze us at all.”
Johnson’s team-high 29 points were aided by a 5 for 9 effort from the 3-point line. Andrews added 11 rebounds to her career-high point total and was 11 of 13 from the field. Andrews also had a game-high five steals. Tiffany Moe and Noreen had 18 points each, and had eight and six rebounds, respectively. Noreen led the Mavericks with five assists and Moe and Andrea Walsh had four assists each.
After winning 32 games and ending their career as national champions, the Mavericks will surely be remembered.
“We want to be remembered as a cohesive group that has a lot of chemistry,” Andrews said. “We are so positive and had fun together.”
But they’ll also be remembered as champions.
SAN ANTONIO — Sitting at the press table Tuesday afternoon, minutes after beating Michigan Tech to advance to the NCAA Division II semifinals, Alex Andrews said she wanted to be one of the few players who ended their career with a win.
And on Friday, the senior forward’s career-high 25 points helped her do so.
“It’s perfect,” said Andrews, fighting back tears after the Mavericks first-ever NCAA Championship. “It’s just unreal. It’s awesome.”
Led by Andrews and Heather Johnson’s 29 points, the Mavericks dropped Franklin Pierce 103-94 to be crowned NCAA Division II Champions Friday at Bill Greehey Arena on the campus of St. Mary’s University.
Andrews was one of five seniors on the Mavericks’ roster to end their college career with a win.
“My whole life has revolved around basketball,” said senior guard Joanne Noreen. “It’s everything I wanted and I’m just glad to end my career at MSU with a win.”
The Mavericks used their run and gun offense from the initial tip-off, and after totaling 58 first-half points, their lead was only two at halftime.
“What a great game for the advancement of women’s basketball,” said MSU head coach Pam Gohl, who won a national championship in her first year heading the Mavericks. “We couldn’t figure out how to stop them, but thank God we scored more than them.”
Led by Johannah and Jennifer Leedman, who combined for 30 first-half points, the Ravens kept the Mavericks on their heels. MSU’s fast-paced offense finally found a worthy counterpart, not something the Mavericks’ are used to seeing from their opponent.
“Absolutely not,” said Noreen. “We got a taste of our own medicine.”
It was the Mavericks’ third 100-point game of the season. They led for most of it, but things looked grim late in the second half as they trailed 82-74 with 10 minutes left in the game.
Heather Johnson nailed two big 3-pointers to help the Mavericks tie the game at 84 with 6:51 left. Johnson, along with Noreen and Andrews, was named to the All-Tournament Team. Johnson was named MVP, her third MVP award this season.
“We never put our heads down,” Johnson said. “Being down eight points didn’t faze us at all.”
Johnson’s team-high 29 points were aided by a 5 for 9 effort from the 3-point line. Andrews added 11 rebounds to her career-high point total and was 11 of 13 from the field. Andrews also had a game-high five steals. Tiffany Moe and Noreen had 18 points each, and had eight and six rebounds, respectively. Noreen led the Mavericks with five assists and Moe and Andrea Walsh had four assists each.
After winning 32 games and ending their career as national champions, the Mavericks will surely be remembered.
“We want to be remembered as a cohesive group that has a lot of chemistry,” Andrews said. “We are so positive and had fun together.”
But they’ll also be remembered as champions.
MAVS WIN
MSU wins first-ever National Championship with 103-94 victory over Franklin Pierce....more to come later.....
In-Game
Andrews has 23 points, nine rebounds and is 11 of 13 shooting. Her 23 points has to be close to a career-high. Four MSU players have at least 14 points.
Leedham Sisters
The pair currently has 47 combined points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists, seven blocks and three steals....Yikes...
Poll results: Mavericks MVP?
Eleven people voted for Joanne Noreen as the Mavericks' 2008-09 MVP. Noreen was followed by Heather Johnson (7 votes), Alex Andrews (6 votes), Tiffany Moe (4 votes) and Andrea Walsh (2 votes).
Early in the second half Johnson is leading the way with 21 points and three 3-pointers. Andrews has 15 points, Moe has 11 points and Noreen has 10.
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