Defense Sparks Queen Bee Victory

1/7/06
Box Score
DAVENPORT, Iowa -- St. Ambrose knew they’d have their hands full going into Saturday’s game with Viterbo University. The V-Hawks brought Anne Wilson and her Midwest Classic Conference leading 19.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game into Lee Lohman Arena. But it was Wilson and her teammates that ended up with their hands full, as St. Ambrose won their second straight game of conference play, 52-39.

Wilson was held to just two points in the first half, and finished the game 5 for 20 from the field.

 “We talked a lot about tendencies and we thought she’s kind of a tendency oriented player,” head coach Amy Eagan said. “We knew we had to keep her off the block because when she doesn’t get inside, it makes it difficult for her to score.”

One reason for SAU’s suffocating ‘D’ was junior guard Cathy Mangan, who was swarming the ball handler all day. Mangan had six steals in the first half, including thefts on three straight possessions, each leading to lay-ups on the other end.

“We’ve been working on defense and denying the ball in practice, so we had it in our heads all week to come out and do the same today,” Mangan said.

Mangan finished with eight points, five rebounds, two assists, and six steals.

“That kid’s unbelievable. She gives 100 per cent all the time and is a great defender,” Eagan said. “She has a great ability to read what is happening within the game and that was a big key for us in the first half and got us on a little bit of a run.”

The Queen Bees (12-5, 2-0) never trailed in the ball game, leading by as many as 17 points. Viterbo (6-12, 0-2) cut the lead to nine midway through the second half, but couldn’t get over the hump as they trailed by double digits the rest of the way.

“I thought we’d have to come out and play pretty well today in order to win, which we did,” coach Eagan said. “Our kids are pretty excited about the 2-0 start to conference play, but we still have a long season ahead of us.”

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