2008 Woodie Awards
Ladies control own fate after winning 8
Jake Frias
Issue date: 2/28/08 Section: Sports
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After their latest win in Aurora on Feb. 23, the women's basketball team ended their regular season schedule with an eight game winning streak. The Muskie's were therefore number five seed in the Northern Athletic Conference tournament that started Feb. 27.
"The team is clicking at a crucial time right now," said Head Coach Teri Johnson.
Sophomore K.C. Blahnik has been a vital key to the Muskies success lately. With three double-doubles in the last three games, the team will look to her as a leader in post season play.
"She is playing huge right now and has a positive outlook on the game," said Johnson.
Going into the season finale, the ladies had no prior experience playing Aurora this season. In the end, it really made no difference as the ladies out worked Aurora in an 87-70.
After opening the second half with a 16-0 run, and shooting 84 percent from the charity line, the Muskies pulled away with four players scoring double digits. Leading the pack was, Senior Brenda Pauslson with 19 points. Senior Peggy Keiper put up 15 points; Sophomores K.C. Blahnik and Terra Hiben put up 16 and 12 points respectively.
"This was another total team effort." said Johnson.
This road to success in the home stretch though, has had its bumps and abrupt curves. On Feb. 13, the ladies were able to slip away with a 57-54 overtime win, against a below five hundred team, at Marian.
After shooting only 23.3 percent from the field in the first half of the game, Johnson rallied the troops and motivated them to come back in the second half.
With a game high 14 points, Senior Peggy Keiper led the team's comeback with help from Sophomore K.C. Blahnik. She scored 11 points along with grabbing 14 rebounds. Sophomore Meghan Chart had 11 points and 8 rebounds.
After being tied at 46 after regulation, the Lady Muskies never trailed in overtime. With momentum on their side, they came up on top in what Johnson hoped was a wake-up call for the team.
"Not every game [during the streak] has been easy," said Johnson.
A wake-up call it was, as the Ladies extended their red hot streak against Concordia Chicago on Feb. 16. The dynamic duo of Keiper and Blahnik were at it again, putting up a combined 36 points. Blahnik grabbed 11 rebounds as well. According to Johnson, both players really helped the team pull away in the second half.
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