MU women hold on at the end/Press story for Tuesday
Folks: feel free to commenton the game here
By TONY GRAHAM
STAFF WRITER
WEST LONG BRANCH - Monmouth University junior point guard Brianne Edwards earned
plaudits from her coach.
""Nice going 'Breezy' (Edwards' nick name),'' said Monmouth coach Michele Baxter.
In a conclusion that probably shouldn't have been as close as it was, Edwards sank
four free throws in the final 36 seconds Monday night and also saved a possession for
Monmouth (12-8, 5-4) with a jump ball enabling the Hawks to hold off St. Francis, Pa.,
76-71, in a Northeast Conference game at Boylan Gym.
Edwards' delivered after the Red Flash (5-17, 2-9), 0-13 on the road, twice in the
last minute slashed a 13-point Monmouth lead to one, and also turned the ball over with
an opportunity to take the lead.
""I fee like it should have been a little bit more of a blow out but a win is a
win,'' said Edwards who led Monmouth with 15 points, had three assists, a steal, and
blocked a shot.
""Going back to other games, turnovers some times kill us,'' said Edwards. ""It did
come down to the last minute, but at least we made our free throws which brought us the
win.''
Monmouth had 17 turnovers Monday but they led to only 11 St. Francis points.
Conversely, Monmouth's press helped force 19 St. Francis turnovers which produced 26
points.
""Our press worked really well tonight which helped us out tremendously,'' said
Edwards.
Baxter said Monmouth's press is modeled after that used by coach Billy Donovan of
the University of Florida men's team which is aimed at trapping opposing guards.
""That's why we didn't get a lot (of turnovers) Saturday vs. Robert Morris, because
they used their post players to bring the ball up,'' said Baxter.
""But this was a team where their big men didn't bring it up the floor so it was
easier for us to trap it.
""And every time they would pass it back we would re-trap again and they would
struggle.''
Baxter lamented Monmouth's free throw shooting which was 22-for-34 Monday, missing
10 in the second half.
""We miss, we give them hope,'' said Baxter. ""But if you make your free throws
you close that door.''
Monmouth began the evening ninth in the 11-team NEC in free throw percentage (.688).
Marisa Jimenez added 14 points and center Jennifer Bender 13 points and eight
rebounds for Monmouth. The 6-1 sophomore snatched five off the offensive glass helping
Monmouth increase its NEC leading rebounding margin of over six per game.
""A win is a win and at least we're staying in the middle of the pack,'' said
Edwards.
Monmouth sits in sixth place, one half game behind Mount St. Mary's and Quinnipiac
who are tied for fourth.
Freshman guard Shawna Scott and senior guard Christie Ayers each scored career
highs for St. Francis with 24 and 19 points respectively.
e-mail tonygsports@aol.com.
By TONY GRAHAM
STAFF WRITER
WEST LONG BRANCH - Monmouth University junior point guard Brianne Edwards earned
plaudits from her coach.
""Nice going 'Breezy' (Edwards' nick name),'' said Monmouth coach Michele Baxter.
In a conclusion that probably shouldn't have been as close as it was, Edwards sank
four free throws in the final 36 seconds Monday night and also saved a possession for
Monmouth (12-8, 5-4) with a jump ball enabling the Hawks to hold off St. Francis, Pa.,
76-71, in a Northeast Conference game at Boylan Gym.
Edwards' delivered after the Red Flash (5-17, 2-9), 0-13 on the road, twice in the
last minute slashed a 13-point Monmouth lead to one, and also turned the ball over with
an opportunity to take the lead.
""I fee like it should have been a little bit more of a blow out but a win is a
win,'' said Edwards who led Monmouth with 15 points, had three assists, a steal, and
blocked a shot.
""Going back to other games, turnovers some times kill us,'' said Edwards. ""It did
come down to the last minute, but at least we made our free throws which brought us the
win.''
Monmouth had 17 turnovers Monday but they led to only 11 St. Francis points.
Conversely, Monmouth's press helped force 19 St. Francis turnovers which produced 26
points.
""Our press worked really well tonight which helped us out tremendously,'' said
Edwards.
Baxter said Monmouth's press is modeled after that used by coach Billy Donovan of
the University of Florida men's team which is aimed at trapping opposing guards.
""That's why we didn't get a lot (of turnovers) Saturday vs. Robert Morris, because
they used their post players to bring the ball up,'' said Baxter.
""But this was a team where their big men didn't bring it up the floor so it was
easier for us to trap it.
""And every time they would pass it back we would re-trap again and they would
struggle.''
Baxter lamented Monmouth's free throw shooting which was 22-for-34 Monday, missing
10 in the second half.
""We miss, we give them hope,'' said Baxter. ""But if you make your free throws
you close that door.''
Monmouth began the evening ninth in the 11-team NEC in free throw percentage (.688).
Marisa Jimenez added 14 points and center Jennifer Bender 13 points and eight
rebounds for Monmouth. The 6-1 sophomore snatched five off the offensive glass helping
Monmouth increase its NEC leading rebounding margin of over six per game.
""A win is a win and at least we're staying in the middle of the pack,'' said
Edwards.
Monmouth sits in sixth place, one half game behind Mount St. Mary's and Quinnipiac
who are tied for fourth.
Freshman guard Shawna Scott and senior guard Christie Ayers each scored career
highs for St. Francis with 24 and 19 points respectively.
e-mail tonygsports@aol.com.
posted by Tony Graham at 10:36 PM
2 Comments:
I hate to be like this, but until this team gets to the finals and at best puts on a good showing, I have zero interest, like many others. With the exception of the one fluke year where they got whipped by SFPA in the finals, the Hawks are one and done or sometimes get to the semis, and always bow out early.
I totally understand your stance.. ..then again.. it is your team and if this is how you wish to treat it....fine.
That was not a fluke year (2003-2004) in my opinion ...that MU team (17-13, 11-7) with Jewonda Bright, Courtney Lumpkin and Niamh Dwyer was a very solid club...SFPA though (25-6, 18-0), with Tonjee Ward and Beth Swink, was over powering.
Post a Comment
<< Home