Shockers at Southern Illinois and Evansville

[1972Shocker]

MSU played at Evansville this afternoon at Noon and the Aces trounced the Lady Bears 77-53 to drop MSU to 1-5 in the MVC play while Evansville improves to 5-1 in the Valley after a 2-9 non-conference slate.

What seems to have turned Evansville's season around is the addition of 6'1" So F Malory Ladd, a tansfer from Valparaiso who became eligilbe at the semester who only had 8 point today but is averaging 14.3 PPG in her 8 games since becoming eligible.

OTOH, MSU, who went 8-4 in the preseason seems to be in a free fall in conference play and with a situation where HC Nyla Milleson seems to be losing her team.

First things first though, the Shocks have business tonight with Southern Illinois and who know what kind of mindset that team will be with the resignation of their head coach.

[tgcshock]

First things first though, the Shocks have business tonight with Southern Illinois and who know what kind of mindset that team will be with the resignation of their head coach.

My observation of games through the years (in all sports) is that teams that have lost their head coach tend to come out the next game with focus and energy and end up winning an unusually high percentage of them (given that they are almost always teams that have been struggling). Unfortunate timing for the Shocks but we need to get up in this one early and not let SIU feel they have a chance.

[1972Shocker]

My observation of games through the years (in all sports) is that teams that have lost their head coach tend to come out the next game with focus and energy and end up winning an unusually high percentage of them (given that they are almost always teams that have been struggling). Unfortunate timing for the Shocks but we need to get up in this one early and not let SIU feel they have a chance.

On top of that we may be without Kelsey Jacobs also based on what @oldtimewomen's hoopcoach: reported.

Based on this article its pretty clear that this SIU program has been in turmoil for some time now.

The Salukis had 14 players leave the program early during Tiber’s tenure, with a total of 28 since the 2004-05 season.

Not sure that includes Terri Oliver, a very good player, who earned her degree last year with one year of eligibility remaining which she decided to forego. In any case, tough to build any consistency with the kind of turnover in addition to your regular losses through graduation.

Of course, Tiber's predecessor, current Shocker assistant Dana Eikenberg deserves credit for her share of that player turnover and Eikenberg left the program in bad shape. Still Eikenberg was a regular John Wooden going 53-92 including one valley regular season title (when Jody was still her top assistant) compared to Tiber's 19-86 record in a little under 4 years and with no improvement in sight. Tiber, whose previous job was at D-II Tusculum, simply seemed to be in over her head. There is no doubt about it, the SIU program has hit bottom and has nowhere else to go but up it would seem.

[oldtimewomen's hoopcoach]

On top of that we may be without Kelsey Jacobs also based on what @oldtimewomen's hoopcoach: reported.

Based on this article its pretty clear that this SIU program has been in turmoil for some time now.



Not sure that includes Terri Oliver, a very good player, who earned her degree last year with one year of eligibility remaining which she decided to forego. In any case, tough to build any consistency with the kind of turnover in addition to your regular losses through graduation.

Of course, Tiber's predecessor, current Shocker assistant Dana Eikenberg deserves credit for her share of that player turnover and Eikenberg left the program in bad shape. Still Eikenberg was a regular John Wooden going 53-92 including one valley regular season title (when Jody was still her top assistant) compared to Tiber's 19-86 record in a little under 4 years and with no improvement in sight. Tiber, whose previous job was at D-II Tusculum, simply seemed to be in over her head. There is no doubt about it, the SIU program has hit bottom and has nowhere else to go but up it would seem.

More bad news: Kelsey might play Sunday doubtful tonight, very bad sprain. Jaz is out with another concussion; didn't even make the trip. This trip will be tough. Another reason as I have said, play your bench in blow-outs, never know when you might need them.

[1972Shocker]

More bad news: Kelsey might play Sunday doubtful tonight, very bad sprain. Jaz is out with another concussion; didn't even make the trip. This trip will be tough. Another reason as I have said, play your bench in blow-outs, never know when you might need them.

Your just full of good news lately. That certainly will make things MUCH MORE of a challenge.

When you say Jaz had another concussion is that something that occurred in practice recently? I know she received her initial concusssion in the UNI game and hasn't played since.

Shocks playing pretty well. lead by Chynna and Alex with 11 points each, as they take a 39 - 26 lead in the locker room at the half.

[The Mad Hatter]

We come out of the break with multiple fast break buckets to push the lead to 45-27.

[1972Shocker]

Shocks lead 50-39 at the under 12 media timout after SIU pulled to within 9 at 48-39.

Jasmine back to her more normal shooting at 1-6. Needs to try to contribute in other ways.

Chynna stepping up and having her best game of the season.

[1972Shocker]

Shocks 3-point defense has not been very good at all tonight. Macklin and Napier getting a lot of open looks. Napier has hit 5 treys tonight.

Now Napier hits her 6th trey and the lead is down to 6 at 54-48. Not sure who is supposed to be guarding Napier.

Shut her and Macklin down and the Shock win. Let then continue to play horse and the Shocks will lose.

[The Mad Hatter]

SIU is staying in it with 3-point shooting. They are now 9-17 (52%) from 3 and the lead is down to 6. Hopefully they will cool off as legs wear down, but we've got to keep scoring.

[1972Shocker]

Shocks have been running the shot clock right down to the wire on most of their possessions and their last possession did not even get a shot off.

Went conservative way to soon and now SIU has the momentum.

Who will step up for the Shocks in crunch time.

[1972Shocker]

Shocks hit 5 of 6 free throws down the stretch and survive with a 72-59 win on the road. Survive and advance.

Oustanding games from Chynna and Alex to lead the Shocks to the win.

[The Mad Hatter]

Shocks win 72-59. Chynna (22 points) and Alex (15 points, 7 assists) led the way, but also give a lot of credit to Nicole for coming in during Kelsey and Jaz's absence and contributing 16 minutes, 6 points on 3-4 shooting, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and no turnovers.

[1972Shocker]

Shocks win 72-59. Chynna (22 points) and Alex (15 points, 7 assists) led the way, but also give a lot of credit to Nicole for coming in during Kelsey and Jaz's absence and contributing 16 minutes, 6 points on 3-4 shooting, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and no turnovers.

Yes, nice job by Nicole. Played a nice clean game and cashed in on her opportunities when she got them.

[1972Shocker]

Shocks get outrebounded 36-29. Jaz' and Kelsey's abscence no doubt contributing to that stat. SIU 9-19 on 3-pointers and the Shocks were only 1-9. In addition to missing Jaz and Kelsey, Jessica had a sub-par offensive game going 2-8 from the field. Jessica was 4-4 from the line and I think Brian said she has now hit 28 consecituve free throws.

Normally you would not expect to win a game like that on the road, but the Shocks turned SIU over 21 times and only turned the ball over 7 times themselves which was a huge key. Chynna's 10-14 from the field and Alex's 6-11 from the field were key also. Shocks were a very solid 13-16 from the line vs 6-9 for SIU. Those strenghts and advantages were more than enough to offset the Shocks weaknesses in this game as the Shocks had enough in the tank to walk out of SIU Arena with a 13 point win.

[flyingMoose]

Yes, nice job by Nicole.

Michaela's defense not good enough to get her more minutes?