Minnesota-Morris wins first-ever UMAC women's basketball championship
2/22/2010 10:18:09 AM
By Chris Butler
The Cougar women came into Senior Day having earned a little relaxation the night before in routing Northwestern by 20 points and earning the outright number 1 seed in the UMAC.
Today they closed out the regular season in convincing fashion, defeating an overmatched Crown College team 90-33, officially marking their place as UMAC champions for the 2009-10 season.
The power of this team can be found way back during the first game of the season. In that contest at Mayville State, the Cougars overcame an 11-point second half deficit to win 96-89, and—here’s the important stat—every player scored in that game.
The 2009-10 Cougar women have a balance and depth that has few rivals in the UMAC and probably throughout the state in division III. Despite having only one player elected UMAC player of the week, they have put together 14 wins in a row, and of their six losses, four came to NAIA division II opponents with scholarship players.
They’re unselfish on offense (seven players have attempted 100 field goals or more and seven players have at least 40 assists) and their defense thrives on weak side help—both hallmarks of team play.
What they have quietly accomplished this season is a record and standard of play that is the best at UMM since 1983 when the Cougars finished 25-10.
Fittingly, senior Nikki Washek led all scorers with 17 points, including 3-4 on three-pointers. First year Kelsey Erickson turned in a double-double (13 and 10) to go along with four assists and four steals. UMM held a 56-20 rebounding advantage. Every Cougar in the game and played at least minutes.
They will host the UMAC postseason semifinals this Thursday at the P.E. Center.