SLCC Women’s Basketball came out firing on all cylinders, as they extended the lead by ten within the first five minutes of the game Friday night against Williston State College.
Bella Swan and Natalie Parsons led the initial run in the first portion of the game – Parsons with six quick points and Swan a solid two.
The Bruins were playing with a type of chemistry that you might see from a respected college team.
However, the run came to a brief end, when SLCC lost focus and increased their turnovers, as well as decreased their efficiency in rebounding.
“We should have never got down from that lead in the first place, It was due to our minor setbacks as far as turnovers,” says Assistant Coach Marcilina Grayer. “We need to learn how to play out of our frustrations.”
With eight minutes left in the first half, Williston took advantage of the Bruins lackadaisical play and got within a point, making the score 17-16.
Forward Swan acknowledges the lack of production from her team and finds it in herself to take charge with both vocal leadership and aggressive play.
“Cheering on the team is one of the biggest aspects of winning the game. Without anybody being loud and vocal helping each other out, we wouldn’t win,” says Swan.
It’s unusual to see a power forward or center dribbling the ball for an extended period of time. Swan begs to differ, as she led a hand steal and pushed the ball coast to coast for a layup. This put SLCC up 19-16, when the Tentons tried to make their come back.
Swan ultimately turned in ten points and five rebounds for the Bruins.
The spark proved to help the Bruins as they ended the first half with a 33-24 lead over the Tentons, while Swan led all scores at that point.
Starting the second half, the Bruins came out ready to burry their opponents. Three minutes into the half, SLCC went up 42-28.
In the midst of this second half stampede, sophomore guard Mercedes Riggs dished out a text book dime pass to freshman center Tanesha Daniels, who converted the layup and sent the team into a joyful excitement.
Also from half court, Riggs shot an amazingly accurate bounce pass, finding sophomore forward Britney Johnson, who converted an easy layup.
It was around the 15 minute mark when SLCC became too overwhelming for their opposition, and when Parsons became a sharp shooting sniper from behind the arch.
Parsons displayed her keen ability to score as she outstandingly shot seven for eleven from the three point range. While turning in seven rebounds, four assists, two blocks and a steal, she led all others with 22 points.
The Bruins brutal onslaught became too much for the Tentons as they fell victim losing the game 77-48.
Bruins extend their record to seven and four.
