With the end of February upon us this can only mean one thing; playoffs. The CCAC quarterfinals have started. Will either team be able to make a significant push to the title, or will the big stage lead to wet feet?
Women
Tues, February 23
The women’s basketball team started off the tournament on Tuesday. The 29-2 Cougars were matched up against the 14-17 Indiana-South Bend. The winner of this matchup will move on to the semifinals, while the loser exits the tournament with their heads’ down in shame.
First Half
At the end of 1, SXU finds themselves up 3; 25-22. Both teams are shooting horribly, but relying on other stats to keep them in the game. ISB is relying on their rebounding as they grabbed 34 total rebounds in the first half with 8 of which being offensive rebounds.
What’s keeping SXU in the game is being able to capitalize of ISB’s turnovers. In the first half, ISB had 16 total turnovers that the Cougars were able to use for more scoring opportunities. The Halftime Hero for the Cougars was guard Mikayla Leyden who had 6 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 blocks.
If the Cougars want to avoid ending their basketball season early, then they need to shoot better in the second half. They only shot 2-12 (12.5%) from the 3-point line and 10-36 (27.8%) from the field which is unacceptable for a title-contending team.
Second Half
In the end, SXU was able to pull out the tight win; 70-65. Although they were getting outrebounded and shooting a bad percentage from the field, the Cougars were able to pull out a win thanks to their tough defense.
In the second half, the Cougars were able to force ISB to give up the ball 6 more times, bringing their turnover to 22 total for the game. SXU’s MVP for the game was Mikayla Leyden who finished with 15 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists in minutes of play.
Fri, February 26
Seeing as the Women’s team won their last game, they moved on to the semifinals of the CCAC tournament against the 26-5 Olivet Nazarene University in which should be a back and forth game between two dominant teams.
First Half
At the end of a tightly contested first half SXU finds themselves holding a slim lead; 49-47. Rebounding played a significant role in SXU’s slight advantage as they had 30 total rebounds, outrebounding their opponents by 11. Turnovers look to be an early struggle for the Cougars as they 10 in the first half.
The SXU Halftime Hero was junior guard Mikayla Leyden who had 13 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 assist. A simply dominant quarter from Leyden. If the Cougars want to win, they need to keep getting boards, and stop getting turnovers as they are throwing away their possessions which is never good.
Second Half
In the end, SXU was unable to get the win falling to Olivet; 102-94. Turnovers was what really did it in for SXU as they turned the ball over an additional 18 times in the second half, bringing their total for the game to a whopping 28.
These turnovers crippled both SXU’s offense and defense, and it was really what took them out of the game in this half. Sadly, the Women’s basketball team will not continue into the CCAC tournament, but due to their high seeding, will be considered for seeding and pairing for the NAIA Division II Women’s Basketball National Championship.
Men
Wed, February 24
The 19-11 SXU men’s team find themselves matched up against the 19-12 Trinity Int’l team in what should be a very competitive quarter final.
First Half
At the end of the first, SXU found themselves up a comfortable 15 as they lead; 49-34. 3-pointers were to thank early as the Cougars made 7 of their 13 (53.8%) 3-point field goals.
Not only was their offense on point, but SXU was playing some tough defense as they held Trinity to 9-31 (29%) shooting from the field and 2-16 (12.5%) shooting from the 3-point line.
Sophomore guard Larry Motuzis was the Halftime Hero with 14 points, 3 assists, and 2 rebounds.
Second Half
In the end, SXU was able to pull out the dominant win against Trinity Int’l; 88-67. Damn SXU back at it again with the hot 3-point shooting! SXU made 4 of their 11 3-point field goals (36.4%) in the second and made 11 of their 24 total 3-point field goals (45.8%).
Rebounding was another factor as SXU had 48 total rebounds vs. Trinity’s 33. The MVP for the game was sophomore guard Larry Motuzis who had 26 points,6 rebounds, and 4 assists. Also, guard Quinn Niego who had 25 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists.
Sat, February 26
It’s the semifinals and the 19-12 Cougars are matched up against the 20-13 Indiana-South Bend in what should be a very tightly contested game.
First Half
At the end of 1, both teams find themselves tied; 30-30. While ISB is shooting significantly better than the SXU, the Cougars are taking advantage of the ISB’s 9 first half turnovers. SXU was also able to obtain the rebounding advantage as they had 21 total rebounds with 8 of which being offensive.
Sophomore guard Larry Motuzis is simply dominating early with 20 points, hitting 3 out of 4 of his 3 point attempts (75%). It’s a close game so any error can be decisive towards the outcome of the game.
This means that SXU needs to avoid getting turnovers, and not waste any of their possessions’ or their basketball season could be over.
Second Half
It was the shot heard round the world. ISB player Riley Stitchter shot a jumper in the last second of the game, and made it to give his team the 71-69 victory in what will be remembered as a heartbreaking loss for SXU.
What hurt SXU here was their turnovers as they totaled 10 turnovers. While ISB had more for the game, they were able to tone it down in the second half.
In a game when every possession mattered, one has to think that SXU would be moving on in the tournament had they turned the ball over less. Despite this, it was a great game and season for both the Men and Women’s basketball team.
Remember to keep it locked here at The Xavierite for more sports updates!
Kenneth Washington
Deputy Sports Editor
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