2008 Woodie Awards
Jaguars pull off a nail-biting win over Oakland at home
Courtney Essett
Issue date: 1/30/08 Section: Sports
The women's basketball game Monday night between the Jags and Oakland University's (OU) Grizzlies turned out to be a hard-fought contest. The Jags took an early 10-point lead but sloppy passing and numerous turnovers sent them into half time trailing by a point.
The Jags won the tip and center Julia Whitted put the first two points on the board with an assist from forward Jernisha Cann. The women took a 10 point lead six minutes in but that dreaded passing quickly reared its ugly head.
Missed shot opportunities and overthrown passes caused that lead to dwindle to just three points. That lead, however, wouldn't last for long. The Grizzlies tied the game at 22 with 7:36 to play in the first.
Guard Nicole James forced a turnover and put the Jags up by two with an assist from Cann. Even her immediate steal and lay-up couldn't deter Oakland. The Grizzlies quickly rallied, forcing more turnovers and a foul, which sent them into the locker room leading 36-35.
The second half, during which the Jags almost never led, was no better. OU came out and quickly put up six points. The passing woes that haunted the team in the first dogged it for the rest of the game. What the team lacked in passing ability, it made up for in resiliency. Tough guarding would be its biggest asset in the second half.
The Jags were able to force turnovers and make a few key baskets, such as the pass to Cann where she drove to the basket and cut the lead down to four with six minutes to play. Guard Christina Cunningham checked into the game and made two key baskets that would help stop the bleeding.
With just under four minutes left, the Jags were only down by three. Going tit-for-tat, OU scored two answered by three points from James. Down by two with 39 seconds to play, a Cunningham jumper would tie it up. She then forced a turnover giving the Jags possession with 26 seconds on the clock.
After another turnover by OU, Cunningham gave the Jags a two point lead. Guard Brykeesha Tate stole on OU's possession and drew a foul with about seven seconds left, giving the Jags a two-point lead. Being too jumpy got the Grizzlies whistled for three fouls when the Jags were inbounding the ball, sending Whitted to the free throw line. She made one of two sealing the Jags 64-61 victory.
The team hosts UMKC this Saturday in the Jungle.
The Jags won the tip and center Julia Whitted put the first two points on the board with an assist from forward Jernisha Cann. The women took a 10 point lead six minutes in but that dreaded passing quickly reared its ugly head.
Missed shot opportunities and overthrown passes caused that lead to dwindle to just three points. That lead, however, wouldn't last for long. The Grizzlies tied the game at 22 with 7:36 to play in the first.
Guard Nicole James forced a turnover and put the Jags up by two with an assist from Cann. Even her immediate steal and lay-up couldn't deter Oakland. The Grizzlies quickly rallied, forcing more turnovers and a foul, which sent them into the locker room leading 36-35.
The second half, during which the Jags almost never led, was no better. OU came out and quickly put up six points. The passing woes that haunted the team in the first dogged it for the rest of the game. What the team lacked in passing ability, it made up for in resiliency. Tough guarding would be its biggest asset in the second half.
The Jags were able to force turnovers and make a few key baskets, such as the pass to Cann where she drove to the basket and cut the lead down to four with six minutes to play. Guard Christina Cunningham checked into the game and made two key baskets that would help stop the bleeding.
With just under four minutes left, the Jags were only down by three. Going tit-for-tat, OU scored two answered by three points from James. Down by two with 39 seconds to play, a Cunningham jumper would tie it up. She then forced a turnover giving the Jags possession with 26 seconds on the clock.
After another turnover by OU, Cunningham gave the Jags a two point lead. Guard Brykeesha Tate stole on OU's possession and drew a foul with about seven seconds left, giving the Jags a two-point lead. Being too jumpy got the Grizzlies whistled for three fouls when the Jags were inbounding the ball, sending Whitted to the free throw line. She made one of two sealing the Jags 64-61 victory.
The team hosts UMKC this Saturday in the Jungle.
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