Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Lady Bulldogs Come Out Hot



            For the Wilberforce University (WU) Lady Bulldogs, tonight (Tuesday, November 17, 2015) is a very interesting night. Tonight’s opponent (Cincinnati Christian University (CCU) Lady Eagles) brings along some baggage. Coming into the ensuing contest, CCU’s Overall Season Record is 1-6. I know what some of you are thinking. At 1-6, the Lady Eagles cannot possibly provide a tough challenge (for the Lady Bulldogs). I COMPLETELY DISAGREE! In fact, I honestly believe that CCU will prove to be a difficult team which to deal with. The following will prove just that. This past Saturday (November 14, 2015), the Lady Eagles won their first game (of The 2015-2016 Season). CCU defeated the Marygrove College (MC) Lady Mustangs 62-58. Going into that game, MC possessed an Overall Season Record of 3-2. The Lady Eagles’ defeat of the Lady Mustangs proves one fact. If CCU can compete with a good, winning team, then the Lady Eagles can compete with any team on their schedule. That statement alone is what makes CCU a very dangerous opponent. After beginning the season 0-6, CCU is now 1-6. The Lady Eagles are hungry. After proving to all of their doubters that they can win a game, the team wants more victories. The Lady Eagles do not want the winning to end. That is why I firmly believe CCU will be up for tonight’s game. As a direct result, WU will have to walk a fine line. The Lady Bulldogs must take their opponent very seriously. If not, a team will walk out of The Alumni Multiplex with a victory in tow. However, that team will just not be the WU Lady Bulldogs.

            Cincinnati Christian won the game’s tip-off. The ball was passed to the right of the court. At 9:50, Wilberforce’s Kendra Moss was at the basket. She blocked a shot. The ball ends up going out of bounds. As a direct result, CCU maintains possession. However, the Lady Eagles are unable to score. Shortly after that, it was on. From 9:17 to 6:09, WU went on an absolute tear. The Lady Bulldogs went on an 11-0 Scoring Run. At the 5:50 mark, CCU finally ended the bleeding. The Lady Eagles’ Aly Balser made 1-Free Throw Attempt. The Lady Bulldogs’ lead was now 11-1. After Balser’s conversion, WU went on a 4-0 run. Da’Sha’Nay Corley and Diamond Wright each made a 2-Point Basket.

            From 4:43 to 4:13, CCU committed 2-Turnovers. WU committed 1-Turnover. At 4:07, the Lady Eagles’ Macy Wingham made a 2-Point Basket. During the process, she was fouled. After Wingham successfully converted her Free Throw Attempt, the score was now WU-15 and CCU-4. With 3:19 remaining in the 1st Quarter, CCU’s Baylee Bennett knocks the ball loose from one of WU’s players. Bennett’s defensive play causes a Jump Ball. The Lady Bulldogs are awarded possession. Thirteen seconds later (3:06), the Lady Bulldogs picked up 2-Points. WU’s conversion led to CCU going on a 4-0 run. Lexie Doddridge was responsible for all of her team’s points. Also, she intercepted a pass too. How do the Lady Bulldogs respond? From 2:14 to 1:24, WU went on a 6-0 run. Wright; Moss; and Brooklynn Peterson each made a 2-Point Basket. Moss added in a steal too.

            Once again, it was CCU’s turn to go on a run. During the final 51.0 Seconds of the 1st Quarter, the Lady Eagles outscored the Lady Bulldogs 5-0. At the end of the 1st Quarter, WU possessed a 23-13 lead. The Lady Bulldogs’ speed dictated the quarter. On both the offensive and defensive ends, WU went after the ball. Those young women were always attacking the ball. At the 9:11 mark of the 2nd Quarter, Peterson nailed a 3-Point Basket. CCU’s Brianna Ruffin countered with a 2-Point Basket. Then, WU’s Defense intercepted a pass. After that, the Lady Eagles did the same thing. CCU’s defensive play led to Ruffin picking up 2-Points. For her team, Ruffin was the one who stole the ball. Before a Timeout at 4:06, the Lady Bulldogs exploded! WU outscored CCU 12-3. WU’s “Power & Speed” are both dictating this game and its pace.

            After the Timeout, WU’s good fortunes continued. The Lady Bulldogs outscored CCU 6-2. WU’s Brieanna Carter scored 5-Points. With a 4-2 run in tow, CCU ended the First Half. At Halftime, WU led CCU 46-26. WU’s “Power & Speed” have both dictated this First Half. The Lady Bulldogs possess those attributes. As a result, they are using those attributes to the fullest extent possible. Offensively and Defensively, WU is constantly going after the ball. The Lady Bulldogs are always around the ball. If they do not have the ball, then WU is looking for the ball. WU is attacking the ball. The Lady Bulldogs’ “Power” is putting them in the best positions (all over the court). The perfect example is the following. At the basket, Corley has used her power to do whatever she wants to do. She has been virtually unstoppable. All of the Lady Bulldogs each have used power and speed to get into the best positions for blocks; rebounds; shots; and steals. CCU is having a difficult time dealing with what WU is bringing. However, the Lady Eagles are not quitting and giving up. They are continuing to play extremely hard. They have had their positive moments. However, such opportunities have been far and in-between. Their spurts of looking like they are making a comeback have been quickly ended by the Lady Bulldogs.

            After Halftime, Bennett nailed a 3-Point Basket. Then, her teammate (Balser) made a 2-Point Basket. The Lady Bulldogs quickly got back into the game. With the assistance of 3-Steals, WU went on a 7-0 run. At 6:02, CCU hit a 3-Point Basket. With 6:01 on the clock, a Timeout was called. After the Timeout, the Lady Eagles hit another 3-Point Basket. However, there was one problem. The Lady Bulldogs outscored the Lady Eagles 6-3. Before another Timeout (4:26), CCU made a 2-Point Basket. By 20-Points (59-39), WU led CCU. After the Timeout, the Lady Eagles picked up two, quick steals. Then, the Lady Bulldogs obtained one too. During the 3rd Quarter’s last 3:03, CCU outscored WU 8-6. At the end of the 3rd Quarter, WU led CCU 65-47.

            As the 4th Quarter got underway, the scoring remained fairly close. From 9:29 to 7:52, WU outscored CCU 4-3. At 7:52, a Timeout was called. After the Timeout, WU committed 8-Turnovers. CCU committed 2-Turnovers. During the process, the Lady Eagles caught fire. From 6:55 to 1:46, CU went on a 12-2 run. The Lady Eagles were playing so much better. In fact, they are the Second Half’s better team. During this half, the Lady Eagles have missed too many Foul Shots. That deficiency is hurting them. In order to remain in front, the Lady Bulldogs are doing just enough. During the final 1:25, WU closed out the game with a 3-0 run. By the Final Score of 74-62, the Lady Bulldogs went on to win the game.

           

           

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