The Point Park University women’s basketball team got its first American Mideast Conference win on Saturday. Hosting Notre Dame College at the CCAC South Gymnasium, the Pioneers beat the Falcons, 76- 71. The exciting game was a huge boost after the Pioneers lost to the Ursuline College Arrows, 72-68, the night before.
“We really needed this,” freshman forward Terrica Jones said after Saturday’s victory, “not only because it was a qualification game, but also to bring the team’s spirit up. We had a five-game winning streak, but we have not been doing so well.”
The Pioneers had a rough start. Notre Dame players proved to be an exceptionally agile team, with quick transitions between offense and defense and gaining possession of the ball.
The majority of the Falcons’ initial success came from quick transitions to offense.
The Pioneers struggled to assume defensive positions in time to cover their marks. The speedy Falcons capitalized on the Pioneers’ delays to move the ball to their hoop, stealing many balls and rapidly organizing an offensive attack. However, once inside the post, the Pioneers wisely organized their defense and were able to contain their opponent.
With a high number of personal fouls, inaccurate passes, desperate shots and lack of timeliness to get organized, head coach Sam Kosanovich yelled to his team, “Wake up!”
And wake up they did – the Pioneers seized control of the second quarter with a revived confidence to take shots and organize counter attacks up to the speed of the Falcons. Allowing no baskets by their opponents, the Pioneers scored six points in the final minutes to narrow the gap from 33-25 to 33-31.
“We did a good job with defense and on the rebounds. Once we could cut into their zone, we made it difficult for them to get some good shots off. We are playing a very athletic team, but we’re expecting big things in the second half,” assistant coach Ed Meena said.
“We were really excited,” junior forward Phylicia Swain said about the team’s spirit at half time. “Coach pointed out our mistakes, and we made goals.”
