Queen Bee Comeback Falls Short

2/15/06
Box Score
MOUNT PLEASANT, Iowa -- SAU entered Wednesday's game at Iowa Wesleyan still with a glimmer of hope for a share of the conference title. After the game however, the Lady Tigers walked away with a 74-66 victory and an outright championship of the Midwest Classic Conference regular season.

The first five minutes were about as even as a game can get, but Iowa Wesleyan used 11 unanswered points to get out to a 22-10 lead. The Lady Tigers shot the lights out for the rest of the half, shooting 61% from the field in the half, including 71% (5-7) from 3-point range. IWC (21-7, 12-1) ended the period on a 18-7 run over the last nine minutes.  The Queen Bees (19-9, 9-4) shot just 31% from the floor in the half.

SAU came out in the second half looking like a completely different team.  The Queen Bees cut the 18-point halftime deficit in half just five minutes into the half, thanks to 14 combined points by Jennifer Goetz and Jena Zientek. The Lady Tigers pushed the lead back to double digits with just over eight minutes remaining. The Queen Bees just wouldn't go away though, as they got within three points with five minutes left on a Zientek jumper. That's as close as SAU would get the rest of the way, as Iowa Wesleyan was able to convert their free throws down the stretch.

The Queen Bees were led by Goetz's 26 points and 13 rebounds. Zientek had one of her best games of the season as well, scoring 17 points on 8-of-11 shooting, while also pulling down eight rebounds. Ashlie Maher scored 11 points off the bench for the third consecutive game.

Allison Falls led the charge for Iowa Wesleyan. Falls had as close to a perfect game as a player can get, scoring 26 points on 8-of-8 shooting from the field. Falls also connected on 10 of 11 free throws. Amber Pence and Katie Bartach scored 17 points a piece for IWC. Erin McFadden finished with six points and nine assists.

SAU will return to action Saturday, as they'll play Mount Mercy in their regular season finale. All five seniors will be honored before the game for Senior Night. Tip off is set for 1:00 and will be followed by the men's contest.

Return to Basketball Home