March 11, 2010

Final Stats |  Photo Gallery - MEAC Quarterfinal vs. Morgan State

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WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - What a roller coaster of a game, Wednesday, at the MEAC Championship women's quarterfinal. The Lady Wildcats, seeded sixth, faced off with the third-seeded Lady Bears of Morgan State. Led by Demetria Frank's ten points in the first half, B-CU got off to a dominating 21-point halftime lead. Though MSU slowed the Lady Wildcats in the second half, they remained steady, pushed up by Jasmine Bugg, who scored 15 to lead the team in holding off Morgan State, and send B-CU to victory, 63-52. With the win, B-CU earned their first MEAC semifinal appearance in 18 seasons.

The Lady Wildcats looked simply unstoppable in the first half, breaking out of a tight beginning, with an 8-0 run just three minutes into the game. B-CU played stifling defense, keeping the Lady Bears from doing anything offensively, and cleaning the glass on rebounds. Through the next 11 minutes of play, the Lady Wildcats outscored MSU 11-4, confining the Lady Bears to a single-digit scoring total until six minutes remained in the first half. MSU often brought the pressure full court, making B-CU play exactly how they are at their best; pushing the ball up the floor and scoring in transition. While shot selection and focus counted for a lot in the huge separation early, it was B-CU's strong passing that really made the half. Riding on a strong first half performance by Demetria Frank, the Lady Wildcats stayed on pace, carrying a 38-17 lead into the locker room.

Coming out in the second period, the Lady Bears made it quickly clear that they were not going away, and would not just lay down for B-CU. Morgan State held the Lady Wildcats scoreless for more than the first three minutes of the half, making headway on bringing down the deficit. However, once the Lady Wildcats got rolling, it was a steady flow for a while, keeping MSU at a safe distance.

Two key injuries to B-CU players affected the team's demeanor in a major way. First, team leader Demetria Frank received a head injury, with her face driven to the court under the weight of two opposing players. At the time, it appeared serious, but Frank was able to be cleared and return later in the half. As Coach Inge notes, the players on this team 'feed off each other', and while Frank was out, the Lady Wildcats lost some of their spirit and momentum. Upon her return, B-CU began to surge and push back on top. While Frank was out, B-CU took another blow, as starting point guard Jasmine Daniels went down with an injury. Although she did not return, Daniels helped bring the team's focus back from the bench. In her absence, backup point, Jasmine Bugg filled in and took over for the Lady Wildcats, scoring 13 in the second half.

“You never want to mention the negative in a situation like that, so we tried to stay positive and stress hanging in there through the adversity,” said Coach Inge.  “We had a little slump there for a moment but we have a goal of getting to the free throw line shooting 70 percent.  I knew it was a matter of time before we would knock them down.”

The Lady Bears clawed their way back into the game, slowly. After shooting extremely well in the first half from the free throw line, B-CU struggled mightily in the second half, taking away crucial scoring opportunities. With just over six minutes remaining, MSU narrowed the lead to single digits, and came as close as six. That was a breaking point for the Lady Wildcats, as they settled down and began to make smart plays, extending the lead back out to double digits. After struggling all half, B-CU put in six-of-ten on free throws in the final four minutes, to preserve the lead, going on to win 63-52 and sending B-CU to the MEAC semifinals for the first time since 1992.

“Our game plan was to make sure that Corin [Adams] did not get good looks,” said MEAC Coach of the Year, B-CU Head Coach Vanessa Inge.  “She is a great player and we knew that she is what makes Morgan State go.  And we wanted to keep pressure on them.”

Demetria Frank was the true leader of the first half, scoring 10 first period points, and making great passes to set up the offense and break the press. Despite limited time in the second, Frank finished with 13 points and leading the team in rebounds with 9. However, in the second half, Jasmine Bugg played a heroine's role, helping B-CU to score at just the right times to keep the lead safe, while shooting 7-of-8 in free throws. Bugg scored 15 to lead the team in scoring. Sarah Bolden was also a huge key to the win, scoring 12 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and using her quickness to clear space in the post and find passing lanes for open shooters.

This was a huge win for the program, having not won consecutive tournament games since the 1991-92 season. In their time in the MEAC, the Lady Wildcats have reached the semifinals just three previous times, advancing to the championship game each time. Bethune-Cookman (17-14) is hungry for wins, looking to the next familiar opponent. The Lady Wildcats return to the court at 2:30 tomorrow afternoon, to face Hampton. B-CU split games with the Lady Pirates this season, with each game's score heavily weighted toward the home team.

Although the Lady Wildcats took some physical hits from the matchup with Morgan State, all players appear to be able to go. Coach Inge will have the ladies rested and ready to go for tomorrow's matchup against Hampton.

“We have beaten everyone who is left in this tournament,” noted Inge.  “In fact, the loss at Hampton was the turning point in our season.  Sometimes you win when you lose. Since that game, we have had a different resolve.”