MILWAUKEE -- Mount Mary University (5-17) fell short in a 95-39 loss to visiting UC Santa Cruz (16-7). The win pushes the Banana Slugs winning streak to three games.
Right out of the gate the Blue Angels were ready and willing to match UCSC bucket for bucket. For the first four minutes of action, Mount Mary did just that, but at the 15:47 mark Sara Crane took it inside with a layup making it 8-6 Banana Slugs. That started a 28-9 run for UCSC, and that run gave them a 47-26 lead going into the locker rooms at half.
The Blue Angels have been known for their halftime adjustments, but today they could not get their shots to drop no matter what they tried. Starting the second half, UC Santa Cruz continued their hot shooting. The Banana Slugs hit at a 50 percent clip from the field, and hit five 3-pointers in the final 20 minutes. All the while, UCSC limited the Blue Angels to 5 of 27 from the floor in the second half.
After playing Maranatha Baptist University last night in Watertown, Wis., UC Santa Cruz was amazingly ready to run for the full 40 minutes. Coach Marc Heidorf on his opponent's effort, "Santa Cruz presents a tough match up for us with their strong ability to push the tempo. Credit to them for flying cross country, playing last night, and still having the energy and focus to execute their game plan."
Chrisandra Freeman (Fr./Cedar Rapids, Iowa) led the Blue Angels with 18 points and also helped out her team with five rebounds. Jasmine Meyer (Fr./Lansing, Kan.) finished with nine pts, three assists and two rebounds.
Coach Heidorf refreshed with his team's effort, "I am excited and encouraged that our kids are still working on improving until the end. Becky Onan (Fr./Grafton, Wis.) and 'Dreeks' [Shandrieka Richardson (Jr./Atlanta, Ga.)] will never have to worry about whether they had more to give. Every ounce their body has to give is being put forth out on that court. Chrisandra is working on things that will help her next year and Jasmine Meyer is playing her best basketball here in the second half."
Wrapping up the 2014-15 season, the Blue Angels will prepare for their finale Feb. 21st at 3:00 pm. The Saturday game will feature Finlandia University at the Bloechl Center.
