SPRING ARBOR, MI – Every year, there is a first game of the season and with it, a lot of questions. Some of those questions got answered on Thursday night when the women's basketball team hosted Rochester College on the campus of Spring Arbor University. This was a back and forth ball game in which neither team could build a lead bigger than six points. Spring Arbor ultimately won the ball game in overtime 68-63.
The new-look Cougars got off to a slow start as far a shooting is concerned hitting 25% (8/32) of their shots from the field, including only 18% (2/11) from 3-point range in the first half of play. But both teams were cold during the first 20 minutes and fortunately for Spring Arbor they would hold a 27-25 lead at intermission.
The second half brought much better shooting by both teams, but Spring Arbor took advantage of improved shooting from beyond the arc hitting eight of 19 (42%) of their long range shots of which most of them came at critical times to keep the Cougar in the game and to stop any of the runs that the Warriors started to make.
But perhaps the two biggest factors in the Cougar win would be rebounding and free throw shooting. Spring Arbor out-rebounded Rochester 53-46 led by Ana Byrens who hauled in a game high 12 rebounds.
But from the charity stripe, the Cougars made 14 of 16 shots and many of those were down the stretch, including the two from senior, April Adams who knocked down two of them with three seconds left in overtime to put the game out of reach for the Warriors.
Freshman, Carlie Newman led all scorers in the game with 16 points, including 6-6 from the free throw line. Newman's first collegiate game was auspicious as she also grabbed 10 rebounds netting her a double-double in game one of her career.
"It wasn't a perfect game, but I thought our girls fought hard and pulled out the win," said Coach Ryan Frost. "We had really big efforts from a lot of people tonight. Jessica Garrison hit a couple of big 3-point shots coming down the stretch. Freshmen, Aimee Konkel did a great job defensively. She really changed the game defensively when she was in there."
Konkel's play was huge down the stretch as she was able to make a couple of big steals to give the Cougars the lead near the end of the game. She also dished out seven assists and had only two turnovers during the game.
Jessica Garrison poured in 11 points for the Cougars and also had four blocked shots on the defensive side of the court.
"I was glad to see April Adams get off to a good start tonight," continued Frost. "She made a couple of clutch shots tonight. I told them after the game that we have until 3:00 tomorrow to enjoy this as we have to move on to the next game.
The Cougars will host Lourdes University on Tuesday night, November 6 with a tip-off time set for 7:00
