2008 Woodie Awards
Getting Back on Track
After Two Wins, the Jennies are Learning How to Win Games and are Keeping the MIAA Postseason Tournament in Sight.
Winston Robinson and Nate Taylor: Muleskinner
Issue date: 2/7/08 Section: Sports
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Four minutes later, the Jennies used a 15-0 run to turn the deficit to a 13-point lead with five minutes remaining. It would prove to be the difference for the Jennies Saturday, as the team defeated Pittsburg State 70-58.
Although Saturday wasn't the prettiest of wins this season, Slifer understands that for his team to be successful, the Jennies will have to win the ugly games.
"It wasn't pretty," Slifer said. "It was a game that the team with the most energy was going to win. You have to have a few of those ugly games."
What's more impressive than the win Saturday is the recent turnaround from the Jennies in the last four games. The Jennies are two-for-two in their mission and will face a foe they lost earlier in the year in Northwest Missouri Saturday.
The game Saturday will be challenge, but with the new form of attack Slifer and senior guard Stephanie Cook have put together, the team stills has a chance against the Lady Bearcats.
"We sat and talked about transition defense, and Stephanie Cook came up and asked if we could just have a left lane and a right lane," Slifer said. "We've worked off of that and that's what helps us."
"Our defense was killing us," Jones said, "because we could put points on the board, but we couldn't stop them from putting points on the board."
With Northwest coming to town Saturday, the Jennies will have a chance to see if the improvements pay off.
For freshman guard Kelce Goebel, the recent improvement is due to the team's ability to find a way to win games.
"We've just learned to grind through things, and just pull together as a team," Goebel said.
Goebel also found a way to get the baskets as she scored 15 points. She gave the Jennies momentum heading to halftime when she connected on a three-pointer to beat the buzzer, and sent the Jennies into the locker room with a 33-30 lead.
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