Close wins keep team in the hunt
Aubrie Hallman, junior guard, looks down court to set up a play during the home game Feb. 21 against the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats. Hallmas scored the game-winning shot with 1.7 seconds left on the clock.
Cinderella traded in her glass slippers for a pair of basketball sneakers.
Having clinched a playoff berth in the Sonic/MIAA Championships at Kansas City, the Lions play for seeding in the tournament.
In their last home game of the regular season, the Lions played host to the Bearcats of Northwest Missouri State University. The Lions beat the Bearcats 60-59.
The Lions played another close one to the end. With just 1.7 seconds left in the game, Aubrie Hallman, junior guard, hit the game-winning goal.
Not only did Southern win its eighth game by six or less points, it beat another ranked team in the Bearcats.
The Bearcats were ranked third in the MIAA and 17th in the national poll.
“We didn’t play very well at Northwest (Jan. 10), so it was a big motivator to play well,” said Carol Koenig, sophomore guard. “We were very confident.”
Maryann Mitts, head coach, said it is a positive experience for the team to be in tight situations.
“Managing the clock in the last four minutes in a basketball game is going to help us,” Mitts said.
The Lions are winding down a season filled with three overtime wins and a total of 10 wins with a spread of 10 points or less.
Mitts said games like the close ones will make the Lions a better basketball team and puts them in situations that they will face in the next two weeks.
“We set our goals very high if we give 100 percent, we can beat anybody in the country,” said Nicole Greninger, sophomore guard.
The MIAA tournament in Kansas City is a venue the Lions will have the opportunity to move beyond expectations.
“The whole scenario from here on out is icing on the cake, we already had a great year,” Mitts said.
“We’re in a position to get to the NCAA tournament, which would be an overachieving feat for this year’s group.”
Mitts said the team feeds off the coaches and as far as she is concerned, there is no pressure on the team.
“I don’t think there is much we need to do as coaches except stay relaxed, don’t over coach,” Mitts said.
“Obviously the team knows what needs to be done to win basketball games.”
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