By Staff
PLYMOUTH, Ind. – In their last home game of the season, the Ancilla College women's basketball team hosted Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA) Western Conference co-leader and NJCAA Honorable Mention Grand Rapids Community College (20-5, 10-3 MCCAA) and fell 60-47.
Ancilla (12-13, 5-8), who clinched their spot in next week's conference tournament last Saturday, had a hard time getting started in this defensive struggle. The Lady Chargers scored just two points in the first eleven minutes and found themselves down 30-16 by halftime.
"Other than offensive rebounds [Ancilla allowed 19 offensive rebounds and was only able to pick up 22 defensive rebounds] I thought our defense was outstanding," commented Ancilla coach Dave Liverance. "To hold a ranked team to just 60 points and no three-point field goals shows me that we did the job on defense. Grand Rapids did a great job of taking away our drive and we could not get adjusted. We had a poor shooting night [20% from the field], but our kids will bounce back. We have good shooters. They will come ready to play Friday night against KVCC."
Ancilla was led in scoring by Ashley Morales, who finished the game with 15 points. Kristy Gilbrech pitched in a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds and Anissa Butler led the team in rebounds (12) and steals (5). Crystal Combs was assist leader for the Lady Chargers with three.
Ancilla travels to MCCAA co-leader and the #6 team in the nation, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, for a 5:30 p.m. game tonight, Friday, February 16. They begin MCCAA Tournament action Monday night at either No. 6 KVCC, No. 15 Kellogg CC, or NJCAA Honorable Mention Grand Rapids Community College, who all enter play tonight tied for the conference lead. Whoever finishes as the No. 3 seed between those three teams will host the Lady Chargers. The other two will have first round byes.