Lakers Outlast Eagles, 95-82, Women Finish a Proud 23-8
March 13, 2004

Complete Box Score

Chances are, you won’t hear Ashland University women’s basketball coach Sue Ramsey complain about the price of gas.

Ramsey and her Eagles paid a huge price for a lack of fuel on Saturday (Mar. 13) in the semifinals of the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional Tournament at Quincy University. The sixth-seeded Eagles were in front of the second seed, Lake Superior State, at halftime, 50-40. But the Lakers and foul trouble eventually wore down the Eagles as the Lakers prevailed, 95-82.

The win was the Lakers’ 14th straight, they haven’t lost since falling in overtime, 91-87 to AU. The Eagles end their season with a 23-8 record. That’s a school single-season record for wins and this is the first time AU has ever advanced to the NCAA playoffs.

“I’m just proud of our team,” Ramsey said. “The accomplishments we’ve had are a tribute to the players I’ve had the privilege of coaching. I thought we came out today and gave it everything we had. We’re disappointed and sad, but eventually we’ll know we made history.”

In the first half, it looked like maybe Lake State (28-3) would be history. Ashland took everything the Lakers had to give and handled it. Ashland shot 43.8 percent (7-16) from three-point range in the first half. Sophomore guard Dee Bethune, on her way to a 26-point night, had 13 first-half points and buried 3-of-7 three-point attempts. Freshman guard Amber Rall, who finished with 13 points, scored 11 points in the initial half and had a pair of triples. Senior guard Isolina Brescia added 10 points in the stanza, going 2-for-2 from behind the arc.

“I give a lot of credit to Ashland,” said Lakers coach Kris Dunbar. “They were hitting on all cylinders. They hit all their shots. We knew we would have to take it to them. But they were playing great and we hadn’t done what we wanted to do and we were only behind by 10 points.”

That would soon change. The Lakers came after the Eagles with a vengeance in the second half. Over the first 11:25 of the second half the Lakers outscored the Eagles, 30-13. That gave LSSU a 70-63 lead with 8:35 to play. Ashland cut that down to 72-69 with 7:23 to go, but the Lakers didn’t wilt. Instead, over the next 3:37 the Lakers went on a 10-5 run to take an 82-74 lead with 3:46 to play.

It didn’t help the AU cause any that senior forward Alanna Buurma and junior center Jackie Mason encountered foul trouble and were forced to take a seat next to Ramsey. Mason had three fouls with 19:25 to play and picked up her fourth at the 8:02 mark. Buurma got No. 3 at 13:27 and her fourth at 10:25. Brescia soon joined that group, getting her fourth at 6:50 and her fifth with 21 seconds to play.

“It was big when Mason got her fourth foul,” admitted Dunbar. “She was changing our shots. She altered what we were trying to do. Once she got in foul trouble we got a lot more confident.”

The Lakers were 23-of-26 at the free throw line (88.5 percent), 17-of-19 (89.5) in the second half. Guard Randi Johnson, who finished with 26 points, was 9-for-9 at the stripe. Becky Marquardt-King, who finished with 22 points, was 4-for-5 from the line. Forward Allyson Conaway had 17 points and 10 rebounds. Finally, with Buurma and Mason having to watch their every step, the Lakers were as carefree as a sailor on shore leave. The Lakers outscored the Eagles, 56-22 in the paint.

In spite of all those troubles, the Eagles kept hammering away at the Lakers. Buurma enjoyed her fourth consecutive double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. In addition to Bethune and Rall, AU got 12 points from Brescia and 11 from junior forward Beth Everman.

“Our kids really did a nice job of focusing,” said Ramsey. “We had a great crowd. I don’t know if it (second half problems) was a lack of experience. I just think your credit Lake State’s defense and maybe hitting the wall. Some shots go in, some shots don’t.”

Ashland shot 45.3 percent (29-64) from the floor and 77.3 percent (17-22) at the free throw line. Lake State completed the game at 46.1 percent (35-76) from the field. AU had 20 turnovers while the Lakers gave the ball away 10 times. Ashland won the battle of the boards, 40-39.

One other number that doesn’t show up there concerns the revenge factor. AU was the only team to beat the Lakers on their home floor. The memories of that game have remained with LSSU for a long time.

“They’ve been waiting to play Ashland for quite awhile. The revenge factor was very important.”

It’s also important to remember the steps the Eagles have taken. AU says so long to three seniors, but the rest of the unit returns next season.

“It’s been tremendous,” said Ramsey, recapping the season. “When you get a chance to be associated with a group like this one you thank God for answering your prayers.”