Hanson and Fritz Carry Eagles Past Alumni, 70-27
By Loretta Gamboe, Staff Writer
ANKENY, Iowa: The women's basketball team stormed past the alumni in Saturday's game in a show of promising skill for the upcoming season.
The Eagles played to win from the very beginning of the game. In the first two minutes, Mackenzie Hanson and Lyndi Shepard took the Eagles on a 7-0 scoring run. After leading 13-9, the Eagles outscored the alumni 14-0 in the last five minutes of the quarter, largely thanks to a series of steals and fast breaks. By the start of the second quarter, the Eagles led 23-9. The Eagles continued their intensity in the second quarter, slowly increasing their lead over the alumni until they led 41-16 at halftime.
In the second half, the alumni outscored the Eagles 5-0 in the first three minutes to bring the score to 41-21. the Eagles fought back and went on a 10-0 run with baskets from Mackenzie Hanson, Karina Fritz, and Lyndi Shepard to gain their first 30-point lead of the game at 51-21. By the end of the third quarter, the Eagles led 57-27. They carried their momentum into the fourth quarter, effectively shutting out the alumni 13-0 to win the game 70-27.
Three of the Eagles scored in double digits in the matchup against the alumni. Sophomore Mackenzie Hanson had the only double-double of the game with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Freshman Karina Fritz had 19 points, 7 steals, and 4 assists. Lyndi Shepard had 14 points and 6 rebounds.
Overall, the team shot 44.6% from the field, 26.7% from behind the arc, and 61.5% from the free throw line. The Eagles grabbed 42 total rebounds:17 offensive and 25 defensive, and had 19 steals and 13 assists.
Head coach Brian Fincham said he was pleased with how well the team played today and expressed his excitement for the upcoming season, which will officially start on Tuesday, November 13, with a game at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska.