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Once again, the Winds played a disappointing game in the Conference Tourney. It sounded like that they did not come ready to play. And for that, we have to hold our coaching staff and senior leadership responsible.
This was the first time in the tournament history that a #7 seed has won. So diappointing.
Seventh-Seeded UMKC Upsets No. 2 Western Illinois, 62-55
Courtesy: The Summit League
Release: 03/08/2008
TULSA, Okla. – Seventh-seeded UMKC out-shot No. 2-seed Western Illinois by more than 20 percent in a 62-55 upset in the quarterfinals of The Summit League Championship Saturday.
UMKC shot 50 percent from the field, compared to the 28 percent of Western Illinois. The Kangaroos also edged the Westerwinds on the boards, 36-35.
Alysa Klein led all players with 25 points on 12-of-14 shooting. Marta Waalen posted her first career double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Chazny Morris added 25 points for UMKC.
Gina Hugelier paced Western Illinois with 17 points, while Nicole Myers added 12.
The Kangaroos used hot shooting to take a seven-point first half lead, 28-21. UMKC, which led by as many as 10, connected on 13-of-21 (62 percent) from the field, compared to the 21 percent (6-of-29) of Western Illinois. Klein was 7-of-8 from the field to lead all players with 14 points in the frame.
In the second half, UMKC extended its lead to 13 in just over five minutes and never looked back, never leading by less than six points.
The Kangaroos will face the winner of the IUPUI-Southern Utah game on Sunday.
NOTES:
UMKC is the only No. 7 seed to win a women’s tournament game. In 2005, UMKC defeated No. 2 Valparaiso, 59-49 at the John Q. Hammons Arena at the UMAC and advanced all the way to the championship game (L, 42-48 to ORU). Current head coach, Candace White-Whitaker was an assistant coach, while seniors Alysa Klein, Lindsay Fields and Marta Waalen were freshman.
The Kangaroos shot a season-high 62 percent from the field in the first half. UMKC shot 50 percent from the field for the game.
UMKC claimed its first win at a neutral site this season. The Kangaroos are now 1-1 on the year at neutral sites.
Western Illinois is 5-15 when trailing at halftime, compared to 8-1 when leading at the half.
The Westerwinds went to the free throw line eight times in the first half (8-for-8) compared to zero by UMKC and WIU was still trailing by seven points at halftime. For the game, Western was 17-for-21 from the charity stripe, while UMKC was 14-for-22.
This marked the first time UMKC and Western Illinois have played in the league tournament. In regular season play, WIU held a 2-0 advantage this season.
The Westerwinds fall to .500 (5-5) all-time in the league tournament quarterfinals under head coach Leslie Crane.
White-Whitaker notches her first post-season victory of her head coaching career.
Marta Waalen recorded her first career double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
QUOTES:
Western Illinois Head Coach Leslie Crane
Opening thoughts: I felt like we played much better second half, we played even with them. We just got down too far in the second half. We didn’t shoot the ball. When you shoot 28 percent in the game, you’re not going to beat too many people so I think that was a big factor tonight.
On defending Alysa Klein: We didn’t have enough help side on her and we didn’t pressure the ball well enough, but I felt like we did a much better job of that in the second half. But it’s like Nicole (Myers) said, they were in bad positions.
We saw our weakness tonight because our interior with a couple of our kids was not good. I thought Nicole Myers really played well, played solid. She probably did the best job she’s ever done on Klein, and scoring-wise taking it in there.
On the team’s offensive struggles: We did some good things defensively, but our situation was that you aren’t going to beat anybody shooting 28 percent. That’s all there is to it. We’ve been shooting well, we’ve been doing well, but it just didn’t fall tonight.
We were a team and have been a team all year long that if we are going to win games we have to shoot the ball in the hole. And it’s been difficult.
We told them to be aggressive and to attack the bucket because every time we did they fouled us. We went to the free throw line 21 times and so we wanted to attack them because they playing a match-up and kind of backing off and daring us to shoot it, and then we told them to attack and pull up and shoot short jumpers.
On the play of her reserves: It was my second five that got us within reach. They’re the ones that came rallying back. Nicole Myers, Lindsay Wutt, Sam Quigle, those kids that wanted it, they had the heart and they were the spark plugs tonight. They did a nice job when they were out on the floor.
On the play of UMKC’s Marta Waalen: The last two times we played I don’t think she was that efficient. The truth of the story is that if you’re going to let Alysa Klein score 25 points you’re going to get beat.
On UMKC’s defense: They were doing the same things defensively; we just were not adjusting.
On her team’s perceived lack of intensity: It wasn’t what it needed to be, especially from our starting five. It got better as the game progressed, but I was very disappointed in that. It’s hard to understand sometimes. Our mental toughness was very lacking tonight.
Forward Nicole Myers
On trying to guard Alysa Klein: She was able to get on the block and post us up. There were times when we were up front and she was at the elbow and we shouldn’t have been and there were times when she sealed us and we didn’t jump her in.
One WESTERN. All Leathernecks !!
Go Leathernecks !!
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Very,very disappointing defeat for the team and for the WESTERN family.How many times have the women had a strong showing in league play, only to be beaten in the tourney? I was hoping the women might salvage some WIU pride by making the NCAA'S this go around.
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Can anyone explain why the Winds consistenly stumble in the Conference Tourney ????
The Winds have finished towards the top of the conference for many years. Yet their last Conference Tourney win was in 1995 under coach Regina Miller.
So what is the answer for our many failed attempts ????
It appears that the Winds are never ready for Tournament play.
Perhaps our coaching staff and seniors/leaders on the team need to do a better job before the first tournament game.
Once again, the Winds break our hearts.
It's so disappointing.
One WESTERN. All Leathernecks !!
Go Leathernecks !!
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Very, very disappointing loss. This was the year that WIU really should have taken advantage of winning the Tourney because the best team wasn't allowed to play yet. Next year will be even tougher. I enjoyed watching these ladies play. Not the most talented team we have had a WIU, but until the tourney, they played with heart and hustle. I'll miss seeing the Seniors next year and wish them the best. This loss will hurt for years to come for them especially.
B-Ball Fan
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Very disappointing end of the season for the Winds. The last couple games of the year they didn't come to play in the first half and tried to turn it on in the second half. I agree this year was set up perfect for them. The best team wasn't eligible, the were in the weaker half of the bracket, but don't come ready to play against a 3 win conference team. I don't know if they were over confident or what but there is no excuse losing to UMKC. I believe Leslie is a very good coach, but I don't know if her voice isn't being heard anymore by the players. I think she is a very demanding coach and that might turn some players off. I think they need some new blood in there assistant coaches. No offense against Castens and Tyo but they are former players, so they probably don't bring much new to the team. Just my opinion.
I remember reading a comment from Leslie a couple of years ago, where she said they put more emphasis on winning the regular season confenrence crown, then the post season tourney. I found that kind of disappointing, yes it is nice to say you have (insert #) regular season championships, but having 0 NCAA tournament appearances is not real impressive. They should been in at least 3 or 4 NCAA tournaments esp. during Zane's final years.
Hopefully Walker and Davenport and the other seniors show some real leadership and push this team to new heights. I think Leslie is a great coach, but if this conference tournament failure continues I think it will be time to look for a new coach.
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Loyal Westerwind fans have to be outraged with this first round loss to a #7 seed who had only won 3 conference games.
Athletic Director Van Alstine needs to see this loss as the "last straw". He needs to investigate why the Winds consistently lose in the Conference Tournament.
The answer is simple for this year's failed attempt. They simply did not come ready to play. Coach Crane needs to be held accountable for these tournament losses.
Let's hope that Van Alstine is not pre-occupied with the men's program. He needs to take his magnifying glass out and figure out why the Winds don't do better in the Tournament.
The answer is simple --> no leadership.
One WESTERN. All Leathernecks !!
Go Leathernecks !!
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So are you no leadership, as in the coaching staff or with the players?
ORU and IUPUI in the championship game, for the women and men I guess, but on the women's side it will be really sad to see one of those teams in the NCAA tournament, they more than likely will be a 15 or 16 seed and get blown out.
Western and Valpo use to be the class of the Mid-Con, now Western is getting passed by all the other schools. It is definatley time to take a hard look at both basketball programs and see what needs to be done to get things headed in the right direction.
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Agreed, but even if WIU would have won this year, we too would have been a 16 seed in all likelihood.
B-Ball Fan
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