Bulldogs add to conference win total
Khloe Schutte elevates to the hoop in MFL MarMac’s conference victory over Crestwood on Jan. 20. (Photos by Audrey Posten)
Emma Driscoll defends a Cadet player in last week's MFL MarMac victory.
Sam Ruff takes the ball up the court against Crestwood.
By Audrey Posten | Times-Register
Wins over Crestwood and Waukon improved the MFL MarMac girls basketball team to 11-5 overall and 9-3 in Upper Iowa Conference play last week.
The Bulldogs opened the week on Jan. 20 against Crestwood, a team they defeated by double digits to start the season. The Cadets were harder to shake this time around, holding onto narrow 17-15 and 29-28 leads after the opening two quarters. They out-scored MFL MarMac 15-9 in the third period to increase the advantage to 44-37 as the minutes waned. However, the Bulldogs clawed their way back to win 51-50.
The two teams had nearly identical field goal percentages, and MFL MarMac was hurt by 24 turnovers, but made up the difference at the free throw line, where they made 14 of 22 attempts compared to Crestwood’s six of 13. The Bulldogs also had the rebounding advantage, coming down with 32 versus the Cadets’ 24.
Blair Winter, who was responsible for MFL MarMac’s winning points, led the team with 23. She hit seven of 12 shots from the field and nine of 12 free throws. The freshman also had a team-high eight rebounds to go with two steals, a block and an assist.
Senior Cora Keehner netted 12 points along with five rebounds, two steals and an assist, while freshman Olivia Driscoll had eight points and two each in the rebounds, assists and steals columns.
The Bulldogs found some breathing room in a Jan. 22 game at Waukon, turning a slim 15-11 first quarter lead into a 33-15 score by halftime. They continued to hold off the Indians down the stretch, easily winning 54-34.
MFL MarMac’s field goal percentage improved to over 42 percent in this game. The team also continued to get to the line, hitting 15 of 25 attempts, and limited turnovers to 15.
Winter again had the hot hand, connecting on six of nine field goals and seven of 10 free throws for 19 points. She picked up seven rebounds, four steals and three assists as well.
Freshman Khloe Schutte added nine points and a steal off the bench, then junior Sam Ruff contributed six points, five rebounds and three assists. Sophomore Evelyn Fritz earned six points, five rebounds, an assist, a steal and a block off the bench.
The Bulldogs took on South Winneshiek in Monona on Jan. 27. The Warriors, who also came into the game with three conference losses, were the only UIC big division team to beat them this season.
