Sports

Ladyjacks can't crack Lady T-birds in MonDak conference game

By Tyler Ohmann

01/31/2012

Usually when a team can shoot 12-for-27 from three-point range it oftens results in a victory, but in the MonDak conference victory is never certain.

Thus was the case for the Dakota College at Bottineau Ladyjacks in last Thursday’s 73-63 loss to United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck.

The Ladyjacks shot 44 percent from long range, while the Lady T-birds were only 2-for-15 (13 percent), but that is just one part of the game.

“We did a great job of shooting the ball from the three point line and the free throw line but struggled with our shooting around the basket,” stated DCB Head Coach Wayne Johnson.

Defense was the major factor according to Johnson.

“They controlled the tempo of the game with their quickness.  We struggled again defending the post and that needs to be a major emphasis for our improvement,” Johnson stated. “We were also not pleased with our transition defense but did do a bit better job of that in the second half.”

The Ladyjacks began the game well, and jumped out to a 29-21 lead with six minutes to go in the first half.

However, the T-birds went on an 18-5 run to take a five-point lead at halftime. From there the T-bird’s lead expanded and the Ladyjacks were unable to keep up.

“This was a very disappointing night for us,” Johnson stated. “We just couldn’t get things done in what to this point was our biggest game of the season.”

The loss dropped the Ladyjacks to 12-10 overall on the season and 1-2 in the conference.

Four Ladyjacks scored in double figures led by Jackie Miller’s 14 points. Shakira Walker led the Ladyjacks with six rebounds, seven assists and four steals, and also had 13 points.

Also with double-digit point totals were Kayla Nelsen and Jordyn Sondrol who each had 12.

“In spite of tonight’s game outcome I am pleased with the effort the ladies are giving. We have stretches of very good basketball,” Johnson stated. “What we need is for us to mature and perform for 40 minutes of solid team play in the tough games remaining. I believe our team can get there.”

“We have plenty of work to do and will be tested with the challenging schedule that remains,” Johnson added.

That schedule began last night with a game against MonDak rival Lake Region State in Devils Lake. Results were unavailable by press time.

The Ladyjacks will play three more games this week beginning at 6 p.m. on Thursday against the North Dakota State College of Science, who the Ladyjacks beat 51-49 on Jan. 19.

They will complete the week’s games with a weekend trip to Winnipeg as they will take on the Winnipeg Swoosh on Friday and Canadian Mennonite University on Saturday.