Sports
Ladyjacks split in critical games
Tyler Ohmann
02/05/2013
In an important week for determining who will host the Region XIII Tournament, the Dakota College at Bottineau women’s basketball team split with two MonDak opponents.
On Monday the Ladyjacks won a key game against United Tribes Technical College (UTTC). DCB downed the Thunderbirds 67-58 at the Woodshed. In another home game on Wednesday the Ladyjacks could not hang with a sharp shooting Lake Region State College team as the Lady Royals won 97-66.
Against the T-birds the Ladyjacks took advantage with a 41-point second half to climb past UTTC by nine points.
“What a huge win for the ladies. We really want to host the Region XIII playoffs and to do that we need to finish ahead of United Tribes so obviously this was a big game,” Ladyjacks head coach Wayne Johnson stated. “I thought we were pretty worn down from the brutal schedule we have faced lately, but to the girls credit they found a way to get things done.”
Josie Degagne led the Ladyjacks with 20 points and eight assists in the win. Also productive for DCB were Jackie Miller (18 points, seven boards) and Jordyn Sondrol (16 rebounds, five blocks).
Johnson thought that it was the Ladyjacks second-half transition game that was able to propel them to a win.
“For the second game in a row we struggled offensively in the first half. Fortunately I felt we did a pretty good job on the defensive end to keep us in the game,” Johnson stated. “We came out early in the second half and got some nice baskets in transition. That really got us going and gave us a lead we did not relinquish.”
The Ladyjacks hoped to repeat Monday’s outcome as they hosted the LRSC Lady Royals on Wednesday. However, despite trailing by only four points at halftime, the Ladyjacks were dominated in the second half, and fell 97-66.
“What looked like a promising first half turned into a disaster in the second,” Johnson stated. “I thought we played hard all night, but just got caught up in a game that was played way too fast for us. It certainly was played at Lake Region’s tempo and to their credit they took advantage.”
The Lady Royals shot a blistering 60 percent from the field, including 57 percent from three point range. LRSC also out rebounded DCB 46-24 in the contest.
“We really struggled trying to shut them down on our defensive end of the floor. Their transition, excellent shooting, and work on the boards was tough to stop,” Johnson stated. “In spite of that I thought it was a positive how we hung around in the first half, giving ourselves a chance. We had some offensive series in the second half where we moved the ball pretty well and appeared ready to get back in the game, but we just couldn’t get defensive stops.”
Degagne again was the engine for the Ladyjacks offense as she had 22 points. Miller added 18 points for DCB, while Sondrol had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
DCB (9-12) again play host in their next contest at 6 p.m. tomorrow against Turtle Mountain Community College. The Ladyjacks then travel to Williston to take on the Tetons at 6 p.m. on Thursday.
DCB played last night in Wahpeton against North Dakota State College of Science, but scores and states were unavailable by press time.