Kalamazoo Valley Women's Basketball

December 13, 2008    KVCC (82) vs. Indiana Tech, JV (48) at Cougar Arena in Kalamazoo, MI

Coach's comments:
     Worth the wait. 
      A scheduling miscommunication led to moving back the scheduled game time on Saturday to 2:45 pm, but that didn't deter the KVCC Lady Cougars.  The home team was a bit sluggish out of the gate, but pulled even at 9 at the 14:02 mark and never looked back.  "I like the way we're playing, but the slow starts are a concern." Said Cougar coach Ron Welch.  " We have to fix that somehow - and we will."
      The lead was 41-18 at the half (the second straight game the cougars have held their opponents under 20 points in the first half) with Jeannie Closson pouring in 8 points, Ericka King adding seven and freshmen posts Alexis Szekely and Dee Dee Closson chipping in six each.  In the second half the domination by the Cougar post players continued with the elder Closson (Jeannie) tallying a game high 17 points (plus 8 rebounds), Szekely posting a season high 15, fellow freshman post Dee Dee Closson adding 11 (plus 12 rebounds) and Sophomore Caitlin Krull coming in with 10 points (and 8 rebounds).  "I don't remember a game in our 14 years where we have had four post players in double figures." reflected Welch.  "It's a credit to those kids, but it's also a reflection of the job our perimeters are doing getting them the ball in the right spots.  The 22 assists is a season high for us and it tells me that the kids are 'buying in' to what we're telling them.  Last game it was the perimeters that got to shine in the spotlight.  Tonight it was the posts.  We're starting to come together as a team."
       The Cougars only turned the ball over 5 times in the game and Mariah Hilliard had six assists and three steals on the afternoon.  All but two of the KVCC team had an assist in the game and 9 out of the 13 dressed for the game logged at least 15 minutes of playing time.
       "Jeannie Closson was scoring almost at will." praised Welch.  "She had a flawless night shooting the ball going 8/8 from the field and 1/1 from the line.  She had 6 rebounds, 2 assists (no turnovers), 2 steals and 3 blocks in her 17 minutes on the floor.  Pretty good, but the thing I liked was when she was sitting there on the bench leading the cheers for the kids on the floor. She's pretty special gal and those are All American numbers!"
                                                     Photo by Jill Welch
                                             Cougar sophomore Jeannie Closson defends the three with 'little' sister Dee Dee having her back

     Next action for the Cougars is a trip to the national runner up Kankakee on Saturday the 20th.  Game time is 1:00 pm Illinois time (2:00 Michigan time)  This match up between two nationally ranked teams always provides a lot of great action and this year should be no exception!          

      The balance of the schedule can be found on the schedule page of the KVCC women's basketball site.  Click on the link below and come join the fun.  Admission to KVCC athletic contests is FREE!

Schedule Page