Tough shooting night dooms us again

I really don't know what else to say other than we couldn't make a basket. We lost to the University of Wisconsin-Marinette 69-56 in our first home game on Tuesday night. It was a game, much like an earlier loss to Grace Bible, where I sat there watching and expecting us to start connecting from outside like I've seen us do so many times in that gym - but it never happened. We shot 27% for the game, including 22% in the second half. We entered the game connecting on 37% from 3-point range, but were cold from behind the arc, including 0 for 11 in the 2nd half. Give Marinette credit - they are a drastically improved team. We had no real answer for their 6-foot post as she scored 27 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, and a trio of guards that hit timely 3-pointers.

We started slow, but fortunately kept them in sight and took the lead half way through the first half. It was back and forth before a barrage of 3-pointers to end the first half gave them a 36-31 lead at intermission. Still, with as poorly as we shot, not a bad place to be.

They opened the second half on a killer 15-2 run that we had few answers for. They connected inside and out, and we couldn't find the basket from the field or free throw line. After shooting 80% from the line last game, we could only manage 8 of 19 from the charity stripe.

While our shooting ability may leave us from time to time, I never have to question the character and effort of this team. I think that's why I really enjoy them so much. They played hard for 40 minutes. There were times where our intensity level was low, but the effort was always there.

Ellie and T led us with 12 points tonight, and Lyds added 10. Rebekah led the team again with 12 rebounds. I thought all of our subs did some nice things off of the bench, and some got extra minutes for the intensity they brought to the floor.

We have a couple of practices yet this week before an important region game at home against Kuyper College. We'll keep working hard to correct our mistakes, and get better as individuals, and ultimately a team.