CHICAGO – In an overtime showdown, the Blue Angels held on in hard fought battle with host Illinois Institute of Technology 72-68. Tonight's game makes MMU 2-10 on the 2014-15 campaign, and the first overtime game of the for MMU basketball since joining the NCAA.
Before the players took the court, the statistics pointed to two teams that were almost identical. The game tonight proved just that. Early on the Blue Angels took the lead and the momentum. At 11:14 Chrisandra Freeman (Fr./Cedar Rapids, Iowa) hit a jumper to make the score 20-13 Blue Angels. Then as many young teams must learn, one of the most difficult tasks is keeping a lead. IIT came charging back in the last 11 minutes of the half, and finished ahead of the Blue Angels 34-26.
The Blue Angels have struggled starting the second half throughout the season, but tonight MMU came out of the locker room ready to go. In the first five minutes of the half, the Blue Angels whittled down the lead to two. After one more push by IIT, MMU came storming back. Down three with 42 seconds left Taylor Baumgart (So./Burlington, Wis.) hit the game tying shot, and the teams would go to overtime.
Once the Blue Angels took the lead in OT, the team did not relinquish it. Coach Heidorf on his team's gutsy performance, "They dug their hole as a team, but they also dug out as a team. I'm proud of the resilience our young team showed tonight."
Freeman had another double-double capping it off with 19 points 11 rebounds and four assists. Teammate Baumgart finished with 21 points and seven rebounds. Shandrieka Richardson (Jr./Atlanta, Ga.) had a season high 15 points and 4 assists.
After tonight's game, the Blue Angels will prepare for a home game against Grace Bible College (11-5). The game is on Saturday Jan. 17th at 8:00 pm at the Bloechl Center.
