Sports
Ladyjacks can't tip T-birds at home
Tyler Ohmann
02/21/2012
The Dakota College at Bottineau Ladyjacks basketball team dropped their third straight game against a MonDak opponent last Thursday in a 61-54 loss to United Tribes Community College.
It was the second straight time the T-birds downed the Ladyjacks, having beat them 73-63 on Jan. 26 in Bismarck.
“To state this was a disappointing night for us is probably the understatement of the year,” stated Ladyjacks Head Coach Wayne Johnson.
DCB was in the game the whole way through, and trailed by two with less than a minute remaining, but a three-pointer sunk the Ladyjacks chances with less than 20 seconds left.
The Ladyjacks held the T-birds to only 2-for-23 shooting from beyond the arc and forced 21 turnovers in the loss, but were out rebounded 46-30.
Freshman guard Shakira Walker cited a lack of team unity as a factor in the loss.
“We just had a lot of turnovers, and didn’t play our game as a team,” Walker said. “I guess next time we just need to play together.”
Walker finished with 11 points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals in the game, and has been successful at point guard for the Ladyjacks in recent games.
“I’m just trying to get my team to go, because lately our points have been low,” Walker said. “I’m just trying to give my team a little fire, a little push.”
The Ladyjacks shot just 31 percent from the field in the loss.
“It seemed to me like a game in which we were struggling offensively and waiting for the run to get us in control,” Johnson stated. “It just didn’t happen and the game came down to making big plays at the end.”
Jackie Miller led the Ladyjacks with 15 points, and Josie Degagne had 13 in the loss.
Freshman Jordyn Sondrol had seven rebounds to lead DCB. She also added two points, four assists, two steals and two blocks.
The Ladyjacks were 5-of-26 from three-point range, which is a factor in the loss according to Johnson.
Walker believes that needs to be improved if DCB wants to win.
“We probably have to get our shots up more, and knock down our three-point shots,” Walker said. “That’s basically what we are, a three-point shooting team.”
The Ladyjacks dropped to 13-15 overall and 1-7 in the MonDak with the loss. They also played against Lake Region State last night, but stats were unavailable by press time.
DCB will host its final regular season game at 6 p.m., Thursday against Williston State. The first game of the NJCAA Region XIII playoffs is on March 4 in Bismarck.