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St. Olaf drops to 1-2 in conference play

Sarah McBroom
December 6, 2001

The St. Olaf women?s basketball team lost to MIAC conference opponent, St Mary?s College (3-0 MIAC), 68 to 58 on Wednesday, December 5. The game, played at St. Olaf in the Skoglund Athletic Center was both teams? third MIAC game of the season.

The Oles played well to begin the contest, leading the Cardinals at one point in the first half by a score of 19-7. St. Mary?s responded, however, going on a 14 point run and eventually led by nine points at the half. The Oles put together a few scoring runs in the second half, connecting on five of seven attempts from the three point line for the half, but St. Mary?s continued to play well and the St. Olaf never regained the lead.

Crucial factors in the game proved to be turnovers, overall field goals, free throw attempts, and offensive rebounds. While St. Olaf shot reasonably well throughout the contest, 42.6 percent from the field compared to St. Mary?s field goal percentage of 36.4, they simply didn?t shoot enough. The Oles struggled against St. Mary?s aggressive defense and committed too many costly turnovers which kept the Oles from scoring. In addition, St. Mary?s had the advantage from the free throw line. They had a significantly higher number of attempts as well as a better overall free throw shooting percentage. Coach Buresh commented, " They shot a lot of free throws, especially in the second half." St. Mary?s also rebounded well, controlling 17 rebounds on the offensive side alone. "We gave them too many second chances to score," explained Coach Buresh.

Playing well for the Oles was Cara Battles (Sr, McGregor, Minn.) who was tough on defense throughout the game and collected three steals. Liz Woodrow (Sr, Aitkin, Minn.) led the Oles in scoring with 14 points, shooting 50 percent from the field and going four for four from the free throw line. Lori Enlund (So. Bloomington, Ill.) added nine points for St. Olaf and grabbed six rebounds. Also scoring nine points was Liz Mundahl (Jr, Eagan, Minn.), who went three for three from the three point line and added five rebounds and four assists for the contest as well.

St. Mary?s player Amy Burns was high scorer for the game with 17 points. Also contributing for St. Mary?s was Jaime Lee, who added 13 points. Jamie Rattunde had a double-double for the Cardinals with 11 points and 11 rebounds.

The St. Olaf women (3-3, 1-2 MIAC) face the Concordia Cobbers in MIAC play at 1:00 PM on Saturday, December 8. The game will be held at St. Olaf in the Skoglund Athletic Center.

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