DUBUQUE, Iowa – On the first game of the road trip, the Blue Angels lost to Clarke University 93-27 tonight at the Kehl Center. The loss moves Mount Mary University to 0-7, and puts the Crusaders at 7-5 on the 2014-15 season.
In the last contest between the teams, the Blue Angels were outshot 74-53, and were swarmed on defense as they shot 15 percent from the floor. Tonight, MMU was focused on getting "better looks" at the basket, and to not worry about the amount of shots as much as the amount of quality shots.
During the first half, the Crusaders relentlessly attacked the basket as they did in the first contest. Shooting 58 percent from the floor, and outscoring MMU 48-11.
The second half saw much of the same offensive production from the Crusaders. CU outscored MMU 45-16 in the second half, and continued to shot over 53 percent. While the Blue Angels were outshot again, the team took better shots and improved their percentages from game one shooting nearly 24 percent from the field.
A standout performance by Chrisandra Freeman (Fr./Cedar Rapids, Iowa) again as she scored 12 points. Another stellar game for the rookie, as she has averaged a double-double in the three games since the first Crusaders/Blue Angels matchup.
Another youngster playing well as of late is Becky Onan (Fr./Grafton, Wis.) pulling down a team leading five rebounds for her Blue Angels.
Coach Heidorf was focused on making progress and teaching his young squad the small things that make the big differences.
"Right now our mental and physical toughness is facing the ultimate test. We are young and we are undermanned. The challenge before us right now as we go through this test is not to 'accept losing.' We will compartmentalize this loss and attack our deficiencies on the practice court. For now our focus is correcting what we can now and turn our focus to competing tomorrow vs Emmaus."
After tonight's game, the Blue Angels will have a quick turnaround as they will play Emmaus Bible College for the first time since joining NCAA. The game is set for Dec. 6th at 1:00 pm in Dubuque, Iowa on Emmaus's campus.
