Women's hoop team improves to 15-3

By Michael Leek
Sports Editor

Holding the second leading scorer in the nation to 18 points and only five made field goals, the LCC women’s basketball team topped the Marian Ancilla University Chargers 61-55 on Saturday, Jan. 20.

De’Mour Watson is the second-leading scorer in the nation, averaging 26 points per game. LCC Head Coach Megan Hudson said her team had a plan in their scouting to contain Watson, but her athleticism and speed were faster in person then they had expected.

“We had to be more intentional with our effort,” Hudson said. “We rotated our two fastest defenders, Peyton (Anderson) and Ivana (McCollum) to face-guard her, and also made sure to find her earlier in transition. Our girls did an outstanding job with their ball pressure after we made the adjustment.”

This win moved the Stars record to 2-0 in MCCAA conference play and to 15-3 on the season.

Freshman guards Anderson and Bailey Hosford led the Stars in scoring with 13 points each.

LCC freshman center Kara Bartels contributed 12 points and eight rebounds, four of them being offensive rebounds.

The Stars’ highlight of the night was their defense as freshman guard Ellie Humble recorded seven steals, and Anderson and Hosford had four steals. The team finished with 20 steals altogether.

A 9-0 run at the end of the first half allowed LCC to go into halftime tied 27-27.

“We picked up the intensity on defense and pressured their guards full court relentlessly,” Hudson said. “During that stretch we started to execute our transition offense, which wasn’t falling for us for the first quarter and a half.”

Bartels said it can be easy to let the adrenaline and momentum cause lack of focus during big runs.

“We just kept our heads in the game by playing together and playing how we know we can,” Bartels said. “Our speed and having everyone be able to get along and play together gives us a huge advantage, as well as our defense.”

LCC freshman Ellie Humble (2) defends a Marian player Jan. 20 at LCC.  Photo by Kaitlyn Delaney

Going on runs is a big part of basketball, and Hudson said adjusting personnel and focusing on strategy during those times are some of her favorite times to coach.

“It’s like a chess match,” Hudson said. “My coaching staff does a fantastic job encouraging and coaching up our players as they come in and out of the (game with) positivity.”

The Stars’ next game will be on the road against conference foe Lake Michigan College on Wednesday, Jan. 23.