Shocks Hold On For Win Over ILS

[1972Shocker]

The Shocks built up an 18 point lead at 49-31 after 26 minutes of stellar basketball despite not shooting the ball great and then hung on as Illinois State rallied to tie the game at 55 late. However, the Shocks behind a big basket by Haleigh and a couple of free throws by Jessica were able to do just enough to secure a 59-56 win over a senior-laden Illinois State team.

Some curious strategy by the Shocks at the end of the game as ILS inbounded the ball after Jessica's free throws put the Shocks up by 3 with 4.2 seconds remaining. The Shocks fell back and allowed ILS to bounce the ball all the way to half court without taking any time off the clock. Fortunately, ILS missed its 3-point attempt at the buzzer.

Neither team could get anything going from the perimeter but ILS Senior wing Shayla Jackson took over the game scoring 20 of her 25 points in the second half plus the Redbirds dominated the boards in the 2nd half.

Despite losing the big lead this was a real good win for the Shocks over a very solid and experienced Redbird team.

Michelle Price had 14 points and 10 rebounds for her first career double-double to lead the Shocks.

:good: :goshocks: :clap:

[flyingMoose]

Re: Shocks Hold On For Win of ILS

... ILS Senior wing Shayla Jackson took over the game scoring 20 of her 25 points in the second half ...

She would dribble-penetrate and score or get fouled or both. The last four minutes of the game, we played zone and slowed the whole offense down for ILS, Shayla in particular. Additionally, we were protecting Haleigh who had four fouls.

It seemed we were much less aggressive offensively in the second half. Maybe not - maybe it just seemed that way because we were not scoring. The shooting percentage was slightly better in the second half, but there were far fewer shots.

A couple of needless, silly fouls late in the game after ILS defensive rebounds gave them chances to chip into the lead without the clock running. But the silly fouls are fewer than in the past. And only eleven turnovers to nineteen for ILS.

I know Chynna is trying to be versatile, but I thought she might be falling in love with her jumper.

ILS got in Morgan's grill as soon as she caught the ball - no "thousand-one, thousand-twos" for her today. But she has the quickness to take the ball to the hole when they face-guard her.

But as noted, they toughed it out at the end and got the win.

[1972Shocker]

Yeah, the switch to the zone was a great move by Jody. The Ladies were very active in the zone and played it very well and it did indeed stop the momentum of the Redbirds. I think Jackson only hit one off-balance bank shot as the shot clock ran down after they went to the zone.

I thought we became a little passive once we built the 18 point lead and once you lose momentum it is hard to get it back. During the 12.5 minutes from the 14 minute mark to the 1:30 mark when ILS went on a 24 to 6 run the Shocks were 2-12 from the field including Chynna missing 3 treys, 2-5 from the FT line with Haleigh missing both of her attempts and committed 4 turnovers. ILS was getting to the basket and to the FT line as they made 7 layups during this stretch and hitting 6 of 9 from the line.

You hate to blow a big lead like that, but I do think that hanging on for the win in tough circumstances shows some growth for this team.

Also, the Ladies played very well in building the big lead.

[tgcshock]

From the Peoria Star Journal http://www.pjstar.com/sports/college...-Wichita-State

“Even though this will go in the standings as a loss, I am really encouraged by our effort in the second half,” ISU women’s coach Stephanie Glance said.

After having more than our share of "moral victories" over the last few years followed by our coaches looking for something positive to build on, I am happy to have the actual win and listen to the other coach search for the positives to take out of the loss.