The MU Ancilla Women's Basketball Team hosted Kalamazoo Valley Community College one day later than expected due to an ice storm that rolled through Michigan. Waiting an extra day proved to be well-worth it as the Chargers defeated the Cougars, who entered the night at 9-1 and in 1st place in the MCCAA Western Conference, by a final score of 68-61. After a back and forth first few minutes, it was KVCC who made the first big run of the game, turning a 15-10 deficit into a 20-15 lead with under 3:00 to go in the 1st quarter. The Chargers quickly responded with a run of their own, outscoring KVCC 8-0 to take a 23-20 lead in a fast-paced and high-scoring quarter.
It was the defense that showed up for MU Ancilla in the 2nd quarter as the Chargers were able to maintain their lead. KVCC struggled from the field and turned the ball over often on the way to just a 7-point offensive quarter. While the defense was establishing itself for the Chargers, Jayci Allen was hitting her stride on the offensive end of the floor where she scored in transition at the rim, in the mid-range and also from the 3-point line. Allen's outburst resulted in an 18 point half to lead her team in to the break with a 32-27 lead.
MU Ancilla maintained their defensive intensity in the 3rd quarter, holding KVCC to just 12 points while the Chargers scored 16 points of their own. Kyra Duncan started the scoring with back to back steals which she coverted into transition layups as MU Ancilla started to build their lead. As the quarter wound down, MU Ancilla strung together back to back stops on the defensive end before Jayci Allen knocked in a 3-point shot at the 3rd quarter buzzer to extend the lead to 48-39.
As the 4th quarter began, it was KVCC who got their offense up and running similar to the 1st quarter and started to put pressure on the Chargers to maintain their lead. The teams traded baskets until a late run by KVCC fueled by back to back steals, brought the Chargers lead to just 55-50. It was at that point, Nicole Swain stepped to the forefront and knocked in a 3-point shot from the wing to give MU Ancilla a 58-50 lead and some breathing room at the 2 minute mark.
The Cougars made one last run as they used another Charger turnover to cut the lead to just 3 points and had possession with a chance to tie. It was Kyra Duncan who made the defensive play of the game, getting a steal which she turned into a transition opportunity. She was able to draw a foul, get to the line, and made both free throws. Trine used stingy 23 zone defense and rebounding to get key stops and was a perfect 10 for 10 from the FT line in the last 1:20 to walk away with a 68-61 win.
Head Coach Ryan Gould was understandably pleased with his team's performance. "I am so proud of the fight our girls brought to the game tonight. When we played KVCC a few weeks ago, they dominated us physically, mentally, coaching-wise, and in overall execution. They have an outstanding team with what I think is the highest skill level in our league. We talked a lot that day about how we needed to come together and regroup which I think we have done. Our girls are capable of so much when they play with the belief in themselves they showed tonight."
Gould continued on about the team's defensive effort. "To hold that team to just 19 points combined in the 2nd and 3rd quarter is some high-level defense. We were able to mix in both our man to man and also zone defense to keep them off balance. They are too good to hold down for 4 quarters but if you can find a way to contain them for 2 of the 4 quarters, you have a chance and that's what we did."
Jayci Allen led the Chargers with yet another double-double, this time with 28 points and 14 rebounds. Kyra Duncan contribured 11 points and Nicole Swain joined them in double figures with 10 points. MU Ancilla moved into sole possession of 3rd place in the MCCAA Western Confernce standings at 6-4 and a season-best 10 games over .500 at 18-8 overall. They will return to action on Saturday when they will travel to Lake Michigan College for a 1:00 tip-off.
