Cougar News

11.15.2008 - [Women's Basketball]
Katie Mayes had 16 points on 6 of 7 shots vs. Hannibal-LaGrange
Katie Mayes had 16 points on 6 of 7 shots vs. Hannibal-LaGrange
(McKenzie, Tennessee) - Hannibal-LaGrange College (Mo.) erased a 30-28 halftime deficit and outscored Mid-Continent University, 41-33, in the second half enroute to a 69-63 victory over the Lady Cougars in Saturday, Nov. 15 collegiate women's basketball action at the Bethel College Classic in McKenzie, Tenn. Hannibal-LaGrange earned its first win of the season in six games, and Mid-Continent's record fell to 1-3.
 
    MCU travels for all three of its games next week: Tuesday, Nov. 18, at Christian Brothers University in Memphis, at 6:00; Friday, Nov. 21, at Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Mo., at 7:00, and Saturday, Nov. 22, a rematch at Williams Baptist College in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, at 3:00. WBC beat MCU, 72-50, Nov. 6, in Mayfield.
 
     Sophomore forward Katie Mayes (Edgewood, KY/Dixie Heights HS) scored 10 first-half points, and 6-3 junior center Kandi Knupp (Iuka, MS/Tishamingo County HS/ N.E. Mississippi CC), scored 7 as the Cougars led by as many as 5 points, 12-7, in the first half and 30-28 at intermission. The score was tied 5 times, and the teams exchanged the lead six times in the half. HLGC shot just .278 (10-36) from the field and committed 10 first-half turnovers while MCU shot .333 (10-30) and survived 10 turnovers.
 
    HLGC guard Michiko Namba, from Japan, scored 15 of her game-high 20 points in the second half, and forward Sara Rondeau scored 9 points in each half, as the Lady Trojans outscored MCU, 41-33, in the second half. The score was tied seven times in the half, and after a 54-54 tie, MCU led by a scant three points, 57-54, with 6:20 left. But Hannibal-LaGrange put together a 13-6 run in the next 5:35 with Namba scoring 10 of the points to give the Trojans a 67-63 lead with 45 seconds left.
 
    Mayes finished with a season-high 16 points, and Knupp totaled 12 points on 5 of 7 shots, and grabbed 7 rebounds. Off the bench, freshman guard Nicki Dewitt (Louisville, KY/Atherton HS) contributed 12 points on 4 three-pointers, and also gathered 6 rebounds. Junior forward Candace McGee (Detroit, MI/Consortium Prep HS/S.E. Iowa CC) contributed 7 second-half points off the bench, and junior guard Tyqea Butler (Louisville, KY/Waggener HS/College of St. Catherine) added 5 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists. MCU hurt its own cause by committing 22 turnovers and shot just .364 (20-55) from the field, made just 6 of 28 three-pointers, but did make 17 of 21 free throws.
 
    Namba totaled 20 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals, and Rondeau added 18 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals. Forward Nicole Backerman added 12 points and 6 rebounds. The Trojans shot .304 (21-69) for the game, made 8 of 25 three-pointers, and 19 of 27 free throws (.704), and committed 16 turnovers.