2008 Woodie Awards
Oral Roberts stops women's team in final game
Courtney Essett
Issue date: 3/19/08 Section: Sports
The IUPUI women's basketball team went 17-15 for the season and was poised to claim the 2007
In game one they embarrassed Southern Utah with a 62-34 win. They next day they glided past UMKC 54-42 in game two.
But was the third day too much? They were facing an Oral Roberts (ORU) team that really didn't rattle too many cages during the regular season. The first meeting was a lopsided victory for the Jaguars and they would squeeze in another win one month later. They expected ORU to show up and compete, but no one expected them to win, except ORU. Let's take a look at the women's team in the playoffs.
In game one the Jaguars faced off against Southern Utah. In front of a dismally small crowd, the team easily cruised to victory. Defensive player of the year Jernisha Cann and center Julia Whitted both put up double doubles. Whitted, who ended the game with 18 points and 14 boards, exhibited more assertive play later in the season and in the playoffs, which allowed Cann to be able to drive inside and cause a lot more offensive damage. Cann snatched down 16 boards and put up 13 points in the game against Southern Utah, with the bench also contributing 12 points.
The team tipped off against UMKC in game two in what would be an incredible game for Julia Whitted. She had 24 points, 16 boards and set a new record for blocks with 8 total. Whitted was also perfect from the foul line in that game. Guard Nicole James would come up big with 12 points. UMKC's center and answer for Julia Whitted had a double-double of her own, but in the end the Jags would be stronger offensively. They put them away 54-42 and advanced to meet ORU.
This Golden Eagle team did not look like the same squad of girls who played in the Jungle in January. The resembled the team that played in February but only slightly. This team was a lot more physical but maybe playing with a grudge causes that.
The tale lies in the statistics. ORU shot almost 58% from the field vs. IUPUI's 37.5. It was also a tale of poor shooting, turnovers and some bad calls. IUPUI missed four of their last five shots. That would be the tone of the game and ORU earned the bid.
So what's next for the women's team? Well, like the rest of us, they will be enjoying post season hoops from home. However, next year will be a new season and even if it is a home game for the competition, they'll still prevail. Congratulations on your season.
In game one they embarrassed Southern Utah with a 62-34 win. They next day they glided past UMKC 54-42 in game two.
But was the third day too much? They were facing an Oral Roberts (ORU) team that really didn't rattle too many cages during the regular season. The first meeting was a lopsided victory for the Jaguars and they would squeeze in another win one month later. They expected ORU to show up and compete, but no one expected them to win, except ORU. Let's take a look at the women's team in the playoffs.
In game one the Jaguars faced off against Southern Utah. In front of a dismally small crowd, the team easily cruised to victory. Defensive player of the year Jernisha Cann and center Julia Whitted both put up double doubles. Whitted, who ended the game with 18 points and 14 boards, exhibited more assertive play later in the season and in the playoffs, which allowed Cann to be able to drive inside and cause a lot more offensive damage. Cann snatched down 16 boards and put up 13 points in the game against Southern Utah, with the bench also contributing 12 points.
The team tipped off against UMKC in game two in what would be an incredible game for Julia Whitted. She had 24 points, 16 boards and set a new record for blocks with 8 total. Whitted was also perfect from the foul line in that game. Guard Nicole James would come up big with 12 points. UMKC's center and answer for Julia Whitted had a double-double of her own, but in the end the Jags would be stronger offensively. They put them away 54-42 and advanced to meet ORU.
This Golden Eagle team did not look like the same squad of girls who played in the Jungle in January. The resembled the team that played in February but only slightly. This team was a lot more physical but maybe playing with a grudge causes that.
The tale lies in the statistics. ORU shot almost 58% from the field vs. IUPUI's 37.5. It was also a tale of poor shooting, turnovers and some bad calls. IUPUI missed four of their last five shots. That would be the tone of the game and ORU earned the bid.
So what's next for the women's team? Well, like the rest of us, they will be enjoying post season hoops from home. However, next year will be a new season and even if it is a home game for the competition, they'll still prevail. Congratulations on your season.
Be the first to comment on this story