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Women fall to Knights, look forward to MIAC Playoffs

Judy Stromayer
February 18, 2002

In their last regular-season game of the 2001-02 season, the St. Olaf basketball team (11-11 MIAC, 13-12 overall) lost to the Carleton College Knights (18-4 MIAC, 20-5 overall), 86-49 on Saturday, February 16. The Ole seniors Cara Battles (McGregor, Minn.), Carrie Cooley (Villard, Minn.), and Liz Woodrow (Aitkin, Minn.) were all honored for their outstanding contributions to the St. Olaf basketball program. During their tenure, the Oles have gone 51-48. In their first season the Oles were 19-6 narrowly missing being chosen for post-season play. In their final season, they have led the Oles to a fifth place finish and will play in the MIAC post-season tournament.

The home-court advantage wasn't enough for the Oles to defeat their cross-town rivals and the higher-ranked Knights, who finished third in the MIAC. Carleton shot outstanding from the perimeter, and was able to take a commanding lead in the first half. The Knights shot 42.9 percent for the half, and 70 percent from the three point line, connecting on seven of ten attempts. The Oles struggled on the offensive end, shooting only 22 percent and going one for 13 in three point attempts. Carleton led at the half, 48-21.

The second half was much the same and Carleton ended with a 61 percent three point shooting percentage for the game, going 11-18 from beyond the arc. Carleton senior Bethany Koehler scored on eight of ten three point attempts, setting a new school record. Both teams were similar in free throw shooting (St. Olaf went 18-25, Carleton, 21-28) and Carleton grabbed 39 rebounds to the Oles' 35.

Leading scorer for the Oles was Jill Johnson (So., Butterfield Minn.) with eight points. Battles had seven points in the contest, while Mayme Cupkie (Jr., Owatonna, Minn.) added six. Sara Erickson (Jr., Cambridge, Minn.) was the leading rebounder with six, and Woodrow had five. At point guard, Cooley dished out five assists.

Despite the loss, the Oles made the MIAC post-season playoffs and finished the season in fifth place, tied with Saint Mary's University and Concordia-Moorhead College. Six teams compete in the playoffs and tie-breakers were used to determine which two teams would participate from the three-way tie. St. Olaf and Saint Mary's University were chosen to compete in the MIAC tournament, with St. Olaf getting the sixth seed. Also competing in the tournament is the College of St. Benedict (1), the University of St. Thomas (2), Carleton College (3), and Gustavus Adolphus College (4).

The first round of the playoffs will be held on Monday, February 18, and the Oles will travel to Carleton College for a rematch. Game time is at 7:30 PM and can be heard on 95.9 FM.

Contact Judy Stromayer at 507-786-3315 or stromaye@stolaf.edu.