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An in-depth look at Division III Posted Feb. 27, 2001 |
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By Mark
Simon Thirty-two in a row to be exact for the Fontbonne College women's basketball team. For those who don't take the streak seriously because of a lack of quality opponents in it, keep this in mind. Not even three-time defending national champion Washington (Mo.) University could stop it. The Griffins ended the 81-game win streak of their next-door neighbor with a 79-68 triumph on Jan 16. Even 29 points from Tasha Rodgers would not be enough for the Bears. "They are a very solid team,'' said Griffins head coach Keith Quigley. "We caught them at the top of our game. It helped. It was a boost for our confidence. We played a mistake-free game, the best one we played all year." That was the team's third victory in a row overall, on the way to a season-ending 14 game win streak, which helped them earn one more home game — against Rockford on Wednesday night in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. A season that began with a 5-6 mark before the streak sure looks a lot different now. A tough defense has been the primary reason why. "Transition baskets off steals are backbreakers,'' said Quigley. "That's what I've been preaching the last half of the season. Game in and game out, we come out and defend. Our defense sets up our offense." Fontbonne's defense is keyed by three seniors — point guard Melissa Steward ("the engine that makes our ship go"), shooting guard Megan Mulvehill and small forward Shawana Ashley. They create opportunities for scorers like junior forward Amy Hauschild, who averages 15 ppg. "They have been through the adversity the last four years,'' Quigley said. "They know how to win. We have very good chemistry going.'' The Griffins (19-6) hope to keep it going, in the process changing the way that others look at the team and the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. "We wanted people to realize that this was a team that they had to pay attention to,'' Quigley said. "We're just trying to establish a program for ourselves, since our conference is viewed as one of the weaker ones. I think we're dangerous.'' |
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