Ladies continue playoff push against Huskies

What: Bloomsburg Huskies @ Kutztown Golden Bears
When: Saturday, February 16, 2008 @ 1 p.m.
Where: Keystone Hall on the campus of Kutztown University

The Golden Bears head into Saturday’s contest with the Bloomsburg Huskies knowing that a loss would result in devastating consequences with regards to their playoff hopes. Just off a convincing win at Mansfield on Wednesday, KU currently sits in fifth place in the PSAC East at 3-5. The Golden Bears trail Millersville (7-0), West Chester (5-2), Cheyney (5-3), and East Stroudsburg (3-4) for one of the four divisional playoff spots.

Meanwhile, the Huskies are in a similar situation. They sit just behind KU with a record of 2-6 and need this win to creep back into playoff contention. BU is coming off a game in which they were smoked 72-50 at Millersville on Wednesday.

These teams last met in Bloomsburg on Jan. 26 with the Golden Bears coming away with a convincing 71-52 victory. KU shot an impressive 49 percent in that game and were led by a 20 point day from leading scorer Rachel Weidensaul. 11 Golden Bears scored in a game in which KU outrebounded the Huskies 44-25.

Probable Starters:

Bloomsburg:
C- # 25 – Colleen Kegerreis
F- # 31 – Monica Dennison
F- # 20 – Kelly Joyce
G- # 21 – Lauren Healy
G- # 22 – Stephanie Jones

Kutztown:
C- # 53 – Mercedes Van Wagner
F- # 23 – Melissa McQuade
F- # 15 – Rachel Weidensaul
G- # 13 – Meredith Starr
G- # 5 – Lara Dellegrotti

Scouting Report:

The Golden Bears should have no trouble in this game, but that does not mean Bloomsburg is short on players who can help them to an upset. In the first meeting, center Colleen Kegerreis played the entire game, scoring a team-high 16 points on 8-of-13 shooting. Kegerreis the team’s clear best player and is one rebound per game short of averaging a double double on the season. KU will be looking to it’s inside game to try and shut her down, with Mercedes Van Wagner and Claire Sitarz likely to see much of the time defending her. Lauren Healy scored just 5 points in that first game, but averages just over 11 points per game this season.

Coach Malouf is likely to continue her trend of going with the hot hands and running a pass first offense. KU has been playing better on the offensive end lately and much of that credit goes to an improved passing game. The Golden Bears lead the PSAC in assists in conference play and that has been a product off them focusing on passing the ball all over the court until someone has a clear lane to the net. That is likely to continue on Saturday, as KU will be looking to build some offensive momentum for a tough road game against Millersville next Wednesday.

The Golden Bears cannot afford to lay back and let the Huskies dictate this game. KU needs to come out strong and put this game out of reach as soon as possible to give BU no hope for an upset. If the Huskies build some confidence in the first half, there is no reason to believe they can pull off the win in the second half.

Prediction:

Expect KU to come out and play well. The players know they need to win this game to keep their playoff hopes alive and they won’t allow a letdown. Coming off a throttling of Mansfield, the Golden Bears will have a big first half before coasting through the second frame to back to back PSAC East wins.

If Weidensaul plays well early, look for her to score near 20 points again. If not, expect Melissa McQuade and Mercedes Van Wagner to carry the scoring load for KU.

Bloomsburg 55
Kutztown 70