- By Evan Merrill Sports Editor
- Mt Carmel Register
MOUNT CARMEL -- You had to feel sorry for whoever fell in the way of No. 18 ranked Wabash Valley College following their 90-72 loss to Vincennes.
It just felt as if the Lady Warriors were ready to vengefully steamroll whoever fell in their path following Wednesday's defeat. That unfortunate victim happened to be Shawnee Community College, who absorbed a 102-36 beating at the hands of the Lady Warriors on Saturday at Wabash Valley College.
"I had been telling the kids the last couple days that I was ready to get this bad taste out of my mouth and they were too," Wabash Valley College Head Women's Basketball Coach Lacey Shalenko said. "I thought we came out tonight and kind of redeemed ourselves a little bit."
The Lady Warriors (8-2) came out strong, outscoring the Lady Saints 20-7 in the first quarter. Freshman big Jazmyn Turner scored the first seven points of the night for the Lady Warriors, who were out running in their usual transition attack and were dominant on the glass.
The second quarter was all Wabash Valley, as the Lady Warriors exploded offensively. Turner continued her stellar play with six more points and a slew of offensive boards, and sophomore Monique Pruitt scored seven points in the frame to lead the Lady Warriors to a 50-13 halftime advantage. Turner and Pruitt alone combined for 24 points and 19 boards in the first half.
They'd coast the remainder of the way to victory, with every Lady Warrior seeing playing time in the victory.
Sophomore Keya Patton ended as the team's leading scorer with 22 points, seven boards and five assists, followed by Pruitt's 19-point, 13 rebound double-double. They were accompanied in double-figures by three other Lady Warriors, sophomore guard Krisen Hunt with 16 points, Turner's 15 and 15 double-double, and sophomore Jacinta Gibson's 12 points.
Pruitt's rebounding total marked a season-high for her, while Wabash Valley outrebounded Shawnee 55-25. Pruitt said effort on the glass is something Shalenko stresses every day, especially to her as one of the forwards.
"Coach always tells me to practice rebounding in practice so that's what I go for in the game mostly," Pruitt said. "With the scoring, when I got the ball if I got it I take it, if not I pass it on to my teammates."
"I tell our kids everyday in practice and every day to rebound," Shalenko explained. "Mo knows that, because she needs to average a double-double, she's capable of getting on the boards. Every game rebounding is one of our goals, offensive rebounding goals and what we want to hold them to as well. Tonight I thought we finally did a good job of attacking the glass, boxing out and winning the rebound war."
Their victory wouldn't come without consequence, however. Sophomore point guard Bre Beck exited the contest on crutches, leaving the Spencer Sports Center at halftime. Shalenko was unsure of a specific timetable for her sophomore floor general as of right now, but said Beck sustained a high ankle sprain.
If she's to miss an extended period of time, Beck's absence could be a worrisome one for the Lady Warriors. Beck's presence at point guard kickstarts the fastbreak and she's a great facilitator. They'll be hoping for a positive prognosis for her recovery time.
Shalenko's team will look to continue to bounce back on Wednesday when they host Lake Land at 5:30 p.m.