Bench, defense help Southern remain perfect

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December 1, 2007

Anonymous The Joplin Globe Sat Dec 01, 2007, 11:43 PM CST

By Jim Fryar

jfryar@joplinglobe.com

When Missouri Southern’s offense went missing in action Saturday afternoon, it was the bench to the rescue.

Reserves carried the undefeated Southern women to their sixth victory, 60-42 over St. Edward’s (Texas) University at the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.

Non-starters scored 36 of the Southern points.

“Our bench players were awesome,” said Maryann Mitts, Southern coach. “Nichole (Helfrich) set the tone in the first half. She hit the big shots that got us off and running. Ela (Zawadka) and Ivaney (Marquez) both played great. And Randi Henderson really stepped up and gave us some emotional leadership.

“Our reserves were phenomenal. They won the game for us.”

It was the second meeting between Southern and St. Edward’s in 15 days. And Mitts’ greatest fear, after a 21-point decision at Austin, Texas, was quickly realized.

“We walked in thinking it was going to be easy,” she said. “We saw it on the first five possessions. We had absolutely no fight is us whatsoever to start the game.

“We missed a couple of bunnies on the first two possessions and that kind of set the tone. If we make those, we’re off and running.”

The Lions missed their first eight shots from the field. They also committed four early turnovers and went scoreless for seven minutes.

But the defense made certain St. Edward’s couldn’t take full advantage of Southern’s offensive woes.

The Hilltoppers (2-5) hit three of their first six shots, but managed just six more field goals in the game. They shot just 20.9 percent (9-of-43) and were forced into 27 turnovers.

“That’s unbelievable,” Mitts said of the defensive numbers.

“We’re just undisciplined (on defense). We’re leaving our feet, we’re not getting over and helping and then getting back to our man. On any dribble penetration, we’re fouling or getting a steal, one or the other. We gave them 20 points (free throws) they shouldn’t have had.”

Sophomore Trice Bonner’s 3-pointer from the corner broke Southern’s early 0-of-8 shooting skid. The Lions missed three more shots before a layup by Marquez tied the game at 7. A jumper by Helfrich put the Lions ahead to stay, 12-10, with 9:50 left in the first half.

After the 1-of-12 start, the Lions shot 56 percent the rest of the game to finish 23-of-51.

Marquez, a junior from Valencia, Venezuela, scored a career-high 16 points to spark the offense, hitting 7-of-10 shots. She added a team-high seven rebounds.

“I felt comfortable shooting the ball,” Marquez said, “but it was not just me. The bench came ready today and it was a good thing. That’s basketball. If someone doesn’t come ready, someone else has to step in.”

Senior Fatai Hala’Api’Api added 10 points, hitting 5-of-6 second-half shots, and also blocked three shots.

Senior Tynesha Pierce, who hit the first two 3-point goals of her Southern career, added nine points and Helfrich scored seven. Henderson had three steals, including two for breakaway layups, in 14 minutes.

Sophomore forward Haley Tidwell led St. Edward’s with 14 points and junior guard Whitney Regian added 11. Sophomore Sara Head had 10 rebounds, leading the Hilltoppers to a 38-32 advantage on the boards.

St. Edwards, which trailed 31-23 at intermission, got no closer than five points in the second half.

The Lions make the trip to play Friday at Oklahoma Panhandle State. They won’t play another home game until a Dec. 19 date with Evangel.

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