Sports

Ladyjacks split at shootout

By Tyler Ohmann

01/17/2012

A split weekend at the Turtle Mountain Community College Shootout has the Dakota College at Bottineau Ladyjacks optimistic about their chances the rest of the season.

First on Friday the Ladyjacks lost to MonDak rival Bismarck State 73-49, but then beat TMCC for the fourth time this season by a score of 84-63 on Saturday.

Against the Mystics on Friday the Ladyjacks stuck with them most of the game as both teams shot 40 percent.
The Ladyjacks were down by seven at halftime, but rallied to trail by only six with six minutes to go.

However, an 18-0 run left the Ladyjacks flat, and caused a 24-point defeat.

“We competed hard and hung in for most of the game but their talent just wore us down,” said DCB Head Coach Wayne Johnson. “We ran out of gas.”

Three Ladyjacks scored in double figures in the contest: Kayla Nelsen led the way with 13 points; Jordyn Sondrol added 12 points (and 12 rebounds) and Jackie Miller had 10 points.

Johnson blames poor transition defense and turnovers for the outcome.

“They had too many good shots in transition. We turned the ball over 36 times and many of those led to lay ups,” Johnson stated. “In spite of that we were able to stay in the game.”

“We need to make progress to compete against these good MonDak teams but I did see some positive play that looks good for the future,” Johnson added.

The Ladyjacks did earn a confidence boost on Saturday at the shootout with an 84-63 win over the host TMCC.

The Ladyjacks swept out to an early lead and led by 13 at halftime. They did not take their foot off the gas in the second half and drove home a 21-point victory, their fourth over the Mickinocks this season.  

“It was good to get back on the winning track in spite of a less than inspiring effort by us. I thought we lacked energy,” Johnson stated. “Much of that was due to the 10 a.m. start and how much effort we had exerted on Friday evening. We don’t have our legs back yet from the break.”

Everyone on the squad scored at least once in the win for the Ladyjacks, who were led by freshman Shakira Walker, who had 19.

Also among the top scorers were Maria Espindola with 15 points, Sondrol with 11 points and Josie Degagne with nine points.

“Thankfully we had good scoring production from everyone as all got in the scoring column,” Johnson stated. “We did take decent care of the basketball and did a nice job on the boards.”

The Ladyjacks out rebounded TMCC 51-36, and only turned the ball over 15 times.

Johnson was happy with the win, but knows the road gets bumpier as the schedule gets tougher.

“The win was good but we need to get our mind back on the work ahead,” Johnson stated. “We have a difficult schedule remaining but a challenge we are looking forward to.”

That road began last night with a rematch against Bismarck State at the Woodshed; however, scores were unavailable by press time. The Ladyjacks will also travel to take on the Wildcats of North Dakota State College of Science at 6 p.m. on Thursday in Wahpeton.

The Ladyjacks are 11-7-1 on the season.