Mustang Women's Basketball News
11-29-08 Lady Mustangs impressive in defeat
RIVERSIDE, CA--The Lady Mustangs came into Saturday’s contest against #13 California Baptist University a huge underdog, but don’t tell that to Coach Hitchcock and his Lady Mustangs. The Mustangs battled for a full 40:00 minutes of play and put the favored Lancers to the test. This happened less than 24 hours after the Lady Mustangs were easily handled by Lancer rival Concordia-Irvine. Cal-Baptist coaches were in attendance to scout the unknown team from Marygrove the night prior. The Lancer game plan was thwarted from the beginning by the upstart Mustangs. In the end, the Lancers would have too many tricks in their bag as they edged the Mustangs 66-56.
Part of a highly competitive first half, the Lancers and Mustangs exchanged leads seven times. Both teams played sloppy and failed to execute offensively until late in the first half. Sloppy play could be contributed to the defensive pressure applied by both teams, especially the Mustangs who forced 26 Lancer turnovers on the evening. The Lancers would be up on the Mustangs at the half by a score of 31-27.
The second half rolled along and it was a mirror image of the first. Defensive pressure and high intensity kept the Mustangs within striking distance as they closed the gap to within one point twice in the second half. Unfortunately, the experienced Lancers pulled away at the end with a 7-2 run over the last (4:00) of play. The Lady Mustangs would not trail by double-digits until the final buzzer when they lost 66-56.
Lonnie Terrell (pictured) once again led the way for the Mustangs with a monster line. Terrell showcased a great all-around game by posting 17 points, 9 rebounds, 7 steals and 3 assists. She was followed by Shantae Nash with 11 points and 5 rebounds.
LAYOFF: The Mustangs have an extended layoff until they return to the court. Their next game is not held until December 10th when they host Madonna University. The game against Madonna will mark the Lady Mustangs 2008-09 home opener. The game will be held at 7 PM inside the University of Detroit-Jesuit High School Gym.
11-28-08 Golden State Woes: Lady Mustangs lose by 39
IRVINE, CA--While most of us were busy stuffing ourselves with Thanksgiving dinner, the Lady Mustangs were boarding a flight to California. The first stop for the Lady Mustangs would be Concordia University of Irvine on Friday. The game would mark the Lady Mustangs first west coast game in program history. The excitement of the west coast trip and everything that comes with California would be short-lived as the Lady Mustangs were dropped 94-55.
The Eagles of Concordia-Irvine have been a west coast power in basketball for years and it showed on Friday afternoon. After a back-and-forth battle for most of the first half, the Eagles picked the Mustangs apart on way to a 23-9 run to end the first half. The Lady Mustangs would be facing a 49-29 halftime deficit after the late offensive spurt put on by the Eagles.
Shantae Nash led the Mustangs in scoring with 13 first half points. Lonnie Terrell followed with an impressive 7 points and 7 rebounds in the half. After that explosive Mustang duo, no other player would top the 3 point mark at the end of the half. The Eagles would have two players in double-figures at the half.
The Eagles would continue to fly away from the Mustangs in the second half. The Lady Mustangs jetlag showed as fatigue was a major factor in the waning minutes. Between transition defense woes and missed opportunities the Lady Mustangs could not hang with the California power for a full (40:00). The loss drops the Lady Mustangs to (1-7) on the year.
Lonnie Terrell (pictured) and Shantae Nash proved to be an unstoppable tandem for the Mustangs. Unfortunately, no other player would bust out of their shooting funk by the final horn, as no other Mustang tallied over 3 points. Terrell posted 22 points on (9-20) shooting and added 10 rebounds. Nash scored 21 with 7 rebounds in the defeat.
On Deck: The Lady Mustangs continue their west coast swing with an 8:30 PM battle tomorrow against California Baptist University. You may follow the action live by following this link.
11-23-08 U.P. trip ends in loss
SAULT STE. MARIE, MI--The road trip to the Upper Peninsula ended Sunday when the Lady Mustangs visited NCAA Division II Lake Superior State University. The game at Lake Superior State would mark the second GLIAC opponent in as many days for the Lady Mustangs. Coming off a large defeat only 24 hours earlier, the Mustang coaching staff knew their players would need an extra boost of confidence before heading into another tough game against a powerful opponent.
Unfortunately, head coach Tony Hitchcock did not get the start he wanted and witnessed the Lady Mustangs quickly fall behind 17-2 within the first (6:00) of play. Not even luck would be on the Mustangs side as shots kept rimming out into the Lakers hands. The home Lakers would not have similar issues. They mounted a huge first half behind their talented post players that attacked the shorthanded frontcourt of the Mustangs. The Mustangs would be starring down a 36-13 halftime deficit.
The second half would bring different fortunes for the visiting Mustangs as they proved they could hang with the talented Laker squad. Led by an offensive attack by Ebony Jackson (pictured) with 13 points and Shantae Nash with 12 points, the Mustangs would hang tough for the final (20:00) of play. In the end, the halftime deficit was too much to overcome as the Lady Mustangs dropped to (1-6) on the season with a 80-52 loss at the hands of the Lakers.
California Dreamin: Yes, you heard it right…California dreamin! That is exactly what the Lady Mustangs have on their mind as they return to the chilly Marygrove campus this week. Next weekend the Lady Mustangs will depart for California for two games on the west coast. The first game is on Friday 11/28 as the team visits west coast power Concordia University (CA). You may catch all the action by accessing our women’s schedule page or by following this link. On Saturday 11/29, the Lady Mustangs are welcomed by the always tough Lancers from California Baptist.
11-22-08 Wildcats pounce on Lady Mustangs
MARQUETTE, MI--The Lady Mustangs hit the road for an exhausting trip to the Upper Peninsula for a two non-conference games against NCAA Division II opponents. The Wildcats from Northern Michigan University would be the first team to welcome the Lady Mustangs to the Upper Peninsula. It was not a very warm welcome as the shorthanded Mustangs were jumped on early and often by the Wildcats and lost 97-40.
The first (3:00) of the game went pretty well for the Mustangs as they stayed with the favored Wildcats. As the game settled in the Lady Mustangs slowly watched the gap on the scoreboard balloon between the two teams. The home Wildcats used a stunning 48-10 run to cap off an impressive first half of play. The Lady Mustangs would be staring at a 55-14 halftime deficit.
The second half reflected the first as the shorthanded as the Wildcats were too much Lady Mustangs on this day. Maybe you can contribute it to the 12 hour drive, but the Mustangs did not perform to their capability nevertheless. The Lady Mustangs shot a dismal 26% from the field and 46% from the charity stripe on the afternoon.
Ebony Jackson (pictured) and Kiara Kelley led the Lady Mustangs with 8 points each. Lonnie Terrell, the Mustangs leading scorer on the season, was held to 4 points on 16% shooting. The Mustangs turn around tomorrow for another Upper Peninsula NCAA battle as they visit GLIAC power Lake Superior State University. Game time is set for 1 PM. Remember fans, you may watch the action live by visiting the women’s basketball schedule page or by following this link.
11-17-08 Lady Mustangs split in Ohio
WILBERFORCE, OH--Coach Tony Hitchcock and his Lady Mustangs traveled down to Wilberforce University for the Bulldog Tip-Off Classic. The Mustangs took part in the two day classic by first taking on the University of Cincinnati-Clermont on Friday. The Lady Mustangs arrived late and started off the tournament slow as they dropped game one (83-67). The next day, the Lady Mustangs picked up their first win of the season as they topped St. Mary of the Woods College (83-70).
Playing with a revised rotation, Coach Hitchcock knew his Lady Mustangs had to step up big against women’s basketball power UC-Clermont. The Mustangs fell behind early as the long bus ride seemed to affect the team performance early on. The first half would end with the Lady Mustangs trailing by 20. In the second half, the Mustangs proved they could hang with anyone in the tournament as they exchanged buckets the entire second half with UC-Clermont. Despite an improved second half, the Lady Mustangs would lose game 1 of the classic (87-63). Two players were in double-figures scoring as Lonnie Terrell led the charge with 24 and Nicole Gailliard chipped in 12.
Day two would take the proverbial weight off of Coach Hitchcock’s back as his team mustered up their first win of the young season. The Lady Mustangs defeated St. Mary’s of the Woods College by 13, (83-70). For the first time this season, the Lady Mustangs had a balanced attack with four players in double-figures. Shantae Nash poured in 23 in the win. Nash was followed by Lonnie Terrell with 17, Keyandra Linebarger (pictured) with 16 and Nicole Gailliard with 13.
Upcoming Games: The Lady Mustangs travel to the Upper Peninsula to take on a pair of NCAA opponents. On Saturday, the women take on Northern Michigan University for an early 11AM tip-off. On their way back home, the Lady Mustangs will face Lake Superior State University on Sunday with a scheduled tip at 1PM.
11-10-08 Wolves outlast Lady Mustangs
DEARBORN, MI--Chalk this one up as one to forget for the Lady Mustangs. On a night where free throws weren’t falling and turnovers were a mainstay it was obvious, the Lady Mustangs faced an uphill battle from the start. It started when the Lady Mustangs uncharacteristically turned the ball over on the first four possessions to begin the game. The Wolves of University of Michigan-Dearborn attacked the Mustangs early and took advantage of the turnovers taking a sizeable lead. With a never-say-die attitude, the ladies from Marygrove would fight back to close the gap to (31-25) at the half.
To start the second half, the Mustangs would rally around junior forward Nicole Carr (pictured). Carr was used in isolation due to her shear size advantage over the smaller Wolves. Carr would eventually tally an incredible 24 points and 20 rebounds. She also added two blocks and two steals to her stat line. In the end, Carr would not be enough for the Lady Mustangs as the dropped the contest 72-56.
Carr was followed by sophomore point guard Jacquis Bullock with 12 points, 6 rebounds and a steal. Nearly all of Bullock’s points came from attacking the rim and knifing into the Wolves interior defense. Sophomore forward Nicole Gailliard posted a nice game adding six points to go along with eight rebounds and five steals.
Contribute some of the sluggish play due to the Mustang’s playing their third game in three days. Over the weekend the women ballers from Marygrove took on tough NCAA Division I opponents Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan.
This weekend the Mustangs travel to Wilberforce University. The women will take part in a two-day tournament on Friday and Saturday. Game times and opponents will be announced later this week.
11-09-08 Defending MAC Champs too much for Mustangs
YPSILANTI, MI--The Lady Mustangs played their second Mid-American Conference (MAC) opponent in as many days on Sunday. This time it was against the defending MAC champions the Eagles of Eastern Michigan. Even though the Eagles lost many players after last season’s championship run, they showed plenty depth and poise as they topped the Lady Mustangs 96-56.
The Eagles came out red-hot from the field as they buried a bunch of shots from behind the arc. The Mustangs held their own for the better part of the first half before Eastern would go on an 18-4 run to spread the lead to 40-17 just before the half. The Mustangs answered back with a few baskets until another Eagle run would run the score up to 57-25 at the half.
The beginning of the second half would bring success for the Mustangs. They quickly forced the Eagles into taking bad shots and also forced a few turnovers. The defensive stops would frustrate Eastern as they quickly called a timeout before the Mustang attack continued too long. The timeout was just what the doctor ordered for the Eagles as they pulled away once again. The Lady Mustangs never gave up as they continued to battle until the final horn sounded.
For the second straight day the opposing team led the points in the point battle against the Lady Mustangs. Eastern Michigan would finish the day with a 46-18 advantage in the paint. The Eagles also won the rebound battle 48-33.
The Lady Mustangs had three players score in double figures on the afternoon. Leading the way was junior guard Shantae Nash (pictured). Nash poured in 19 points on (5-12) shooting from 3-point land. She was followed by sophomore guard Lonnie Terrell who contributed with 13 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists. Junior forward Nicole Carr battled down low for 11 points, 8 rebounds and 4 steals.
The Lady Mustangs will play their third game in three days when the head to Dearborn to do battle with U of M-Dearborn tomorrow (Monday 11/10). Game time is set for 5 PM.
11-08-08 Chippewas top Lady Mustangs
MT. PLEASANT, MI--The Lady Mustangs traveled to Mt. Pleasant for an exhibition matchup against the Chippewas from Central Michigan University. The game quickly turned into the favor of the Chippewas who looked to apply pressure on the young, untested Mustangs early. The Lady Mustangs made crucial errors early in the game as they let many passes fall into the opposing team’s hands. The Mustangs would never recover from early mishaps and lost to the favored Chippewas 117-48.
The Lady Mustangs were led by Nicole Carr (pictured) with 14 points and four steals. Jacquis Bullock followed closely behind with 10 points of her own and three steals. As a team, the Lady Mustangs shot just 25% from the field.
There is no time to rest for Coach Hitchcock and his team. They head for Ypsilanti tomorrow to take on the defending Mid-American Conference Champions the Eagles of Eastern Michigan University. Game time is set for 2 PM.
Announcement: Tomorrow’s women’s basketball game vs. EMU will be FREE for all Mustang fans. No ticket is needed! Just show up to the Eastern Michigan University Convocation Center and walk-in, sit down and enjoy Mustang basketball!
11-01-08 Two Mustangs Awarded over the Weekend
UPLAND, IN--Two women's basketball players were awarded over the weekend for outstanding play. Junior forward Nicole Carr, left, and sophomore guard Lonnie Terrell, right, were named to the 2008 Taylor Tip-Off Classic All-Tournament Team. Carr averaged a double-double with 10.5 points and 10 rebounds per game (rpg). Terrell put up an average of 20 ppg.
11-01-08 So Close! Blue Raiders Edge Lady Mustangs
UPLAND, IN--Day two of the Taylor Tip-Off Classic was improved, but brought similar results for the Lady Mustangs as they dropped their matchup with Lindsey Wilson College (KY) 72-70. It was the second loss in as many days for the Mustangs. The Mustangs were in the game throughout and made a late push to nearly escape with a victory. In the end, Lindsey Wilson proved to be too much as they edged out the Mustangs. The women now carry an (0-2) record into a difficult stretch of upcoming games.
The Lady Mustangs Achilles heel against the Blue Raiders of Lindsey Wilson was subpar free throw shooting at key moments in the game and a (-17) rebound margin. Viktoria Krell led the way for the Blue Raiders with 27 points on 12-of-19 shooting to go along with 16 rebounds. Krell was followed closely by Sierra Rambert who poured in 20 and dished out six assists.
The Lady Mustangs were 29-of-66 from the floor, good for 44%. The shooting was a vast improvement over the season opener against Taylor University. Unfortunately, missed free throws and the inability to capitalize on second-chance opportunities hampered the women cagers from Marygrove.
Former Inkster star Lonnie Terrell had a terrific game as she posted 32 points on 13-of-25 shooting. Terrell (pictured) also added four rebounds and two steals. Nicole Carr battled down low to tally 14 points, 8 rebounds and a steal and block apiece.
The Lady Mustangs will head home for a week of practice before they travel Saturday (11/08) to Rose Arena to take on the Central Michigan University Chippewas in exhibition action. Game time is set for 2PM with a men’s game to follow. The next day, the Lady Mustangs head to Ypsilanti to battle with the Eagles of Eastern Michigan in another exhibition contest.
10-30-08 Lady Mustangs Season Preview
What a difference a year can make! The Lady Mustangs are on the rebound after a (7-18) season, a season that was witness to many ups and downs. On one hand, the Lady Mustangs had three excellent senior leaders back that were a staple of the program. On the other hand, Coach Hitchcock lost out on three prized players and a few recruits right before the season. Mix those key ingredients together and you get a recipe for one long roller coaster ride. This year Hitchcock has set the bar high and vows to erase any inconsistency that may have surrounded the Lady Mustangs in the year past.
Hitchcock will begin the year with a revamped lineup that is sure to provide plenty of exciting moments. Like the men, the Lady Mustangs have plenty of newcomers on their 2008-09 roster. The Lady Mustangs welcome eight new faces to the mix and they all are expected to make contributions. The new faces include freshmen Fran McCray (Southfield), Kiara Kelley (Cass Tech), Kathryn Lewis (JFK) and Danielle Saddler (Hofstra). Upperclassmen that come in with college experience are led by former Inkster star Lonnie Terrell, Nicole Carr (Grand Valley State), Jennifer Williams (Oakland, CA) and SharQuinda Holloman (Triton CC).
“These ladies know how to work. They have been through the terror dome and all of the conditioning. Now it is time to put it to work on the court. I am anxious to see what we have in this team because there is no shortage of talent,” added Hitchcock of his reloaded women’s squad. On paper, this is the best Lady Mustang squad that has been assembled since 2005. However, Hitchcock knows talent will only go as far as leadership.
"My returning players are x-factor. The wheels do not turn without those ladies," added Hitchcock. The Lady Mustangs will rely heavily on returning players Nicole Gailliard, Ebony Jackson, Keyandra Linebarger and Shantae Nash to support and provide stability for the young and incoming players. Gailliard (pictured), a sophomore forward, is currently featured on this week’s Meet a Mustang feature on www.marygrove.edu/athletics.
The Lady Mustangs begin the season with a road trip to Taylor University (IN) Friday and Saturday. The first game will be against the host team Taylor (IN) at 8 PM on Friday with the second game coming Saturday at 11 AM when the Lady Mustangs take on Lindsey Wilson College (KY). Be sure to visit our athletics website for continuous updates on this weekends Lady Mustang action.
Lonnie Terrell, So, G
