Out & About: Minneapolis/Rochester

#3 posting 2.15.2006

Minneapolis 74, Rochester 68

Tonight we take a look at a neglected, or underpublicized level of basketball--Community college. The StarTribune used to cover the games, but the information is pretty sparse. Also the juco teams in the state have steadily dwindled, especially in the metro. But tonight the action was at Minneapolis downtown.

Minneapolis struck first with a Gwen Young three from the right side. Both teams were not connecting early. Rochester had a 0/9 string of possessions early, but Mpls did not take advantage as they were 0/7. It was a fairly tight contest in the beginning, but Mpls maintained it's lead. Rochester's Rebekah Fitzgerald gave the Yellowjackets their first lead at 19-18. Fitzgerald had 18 in the first half for Rochester. Mpls regained the lead on the next possession with Hulda Omesa's basket. That was the start of a 20-10 run by Mpls to finish the half. The Rochester bench picked up at technical after Maggert and Gustafson were chasing a ball on the sidelines. Gustafson made all four free throws. Fitzgerald picked up her second offensive foul right before the end of the half. Thay would play a part of the action in the second half. Minneapolis led 38-29.

Neither team could convert on their first four possessions of the second half, but Rochester put together a five possession string to pull them back into the picture. Katy Schlicker started it with two free throws and three others contributed on the streak. Rochester put together a 14-4 run to close the gap to 42-40. The first of six ties came at 42. Rochester's first lead came at 46-44 on Jessica O'Leary's free throws. When Rochester led 48-44 they had completed a 19-6 run from the start of the half. Brittany Gladis dropped a three from the left side for Roch but on the next possession Gustafson answered with a three from the right side for Mpls. The problem was it was the fourth attempt at scoring for Mpls. On that possession Fitzgerald picked up her fourth foul with 9:15 to go. Earlier on the same possession Rachel Tews had picked up her 4th. Jayme Young missed a shot(1), Davis rebounded, Owens missed a three (2), Davis rebounded, was fouled, but missed her free throw(3). Jeffrie rebounded and then Gustafson found the bottom of the net (4). That was the trend, too many fouls, too many second shots. Mpls pushed the lead to 59-55, but Rochester went on a three possession string to take the lead 60-59 with 4:54 left. Davis made two free throws to give Mpls the lead. Fitzgerald gave Rochester their last lead at 68-67 on the strength of two free throws with 1:48 to go. On the next Mpls possesson, Gustafson scored on a second chance point after Gwen Young missed on a drive. Mpls would keep the lead the rest of the night. At this point it was 69-68 with 1:01 to go. Tews fumbled the ball and Jayme Young was driving down when she tripped. A phantom foul was called as Young did the tripping all by herself. She made one free throw for a 70-68 lead. Fitzgerald missed on her shot, and Omesa grabbed the ball. Mpls was working the 30 second clock when they took a time out with 16.1 left. Jayme Young was left holding the ball as Rochester forced a five second count. But Gladis was called for over and back on the ensuing throw in. Gwen Young made one free throw to make it 71-68 with 12.8 seconds left. Rochester never got the ball past midcourt as the pressure forced two turnovers and three more points.

Height Matters: Rochester 5-9.6, Rochester 5-9.2
Department of Defense: both teams man, Mpls periodically went full court

player, points, possessions, pp100, floor %
Minneapolis player Evaluations
Starters
Gabriella Gustafson 24, 21, 114.3, .523 She has been in the point parade quite often. tonight 13 of her points came at the line. Very good free throw shooter. had quite a few boards. quick. RF: sat quite a bit of the first half.
Shakira Owens 5, 13, 38.5, .231
Gwen Young 11, 10, 110.0, .600 point guard, RF: decisions
Hulda Omesa 10, 19, 52.6, .263 athletic, good leaper, played high post and would spin to glass. RF: finishing
Lakita Davis 12, 9, 133.3, .667 low post player, active on boards, decent strength. RF: fouled out
Bench
Amy Kelvie 3, 3, 100.0, .667
Jayme Young 7, 8, 87.5, .500 second point guard, quick, active RF: finishing
LaVera Jeffrie 2, 2, 100.0, .500 biggest player 6-4, RF: not fluid

Rochester Player Evaluations
Starers
Rachel Tews 2, 10, 20.0, .100
Jenna Maggert 2, 6, 33.3, .167
Katy Schlicker 7, 11, 63.6, .273
All three of these player had decent vision, they just need to finish, get stronger with passes, also block outs need to be solid
Rebekah Fitzgerald 30, 25, 120.0, .600 main focus. post player, consistent, good instincts, RF: fouls
Brittany Gladis 16, 19, 84.2, .368 has range as she looked to shoot 3s all night. She did hit one in the second half. Took over when Fitzgerald was out with fouls. RF: better decisions on defense. rebounding
Bench
Jessica O'Leary 7, 9, 77.8, .444
Megan Linbo 4, 4, 100.0, .500
Chelsea Jajowka 0, 1, 0.0, .000

BY THE NUMBERS
team, points, possessions, floor %
Minneapolis 74, 85, 87.1, .435
Rochester 68, 85, 80.0, .388
Bench: Minneapolis 12, Rochester 11
Made Free Throws: Minneapolis 26, Rochester 16
Second chance points: Minneapolis 22, Rochester 7

Both teams had speed and quickness. The possessions have the 30 second clock to deal with. Also the game has 20 minutes halves. Both teams looked to move the ball up court on transition. The up and down speed is faster than high school.

The juco state tournament will be held at Ridgewater Community College in Willmar on Feb 25, 26, 27 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday). The state winner has been successful in the national tournament. Minneapolis won the NJCAA D3 tournament in 2004, Anoka-Ramsey won it last year.

Next posting tomorrow am