MILWAUKEE — As the 2014-15 campaign came to an end, the Mount Mary University Blue Angels (5-18) were defeated by the visiting Finlandia University Lions (13-10) with a final score of 58-29. The Bloechl Center has seen plenty of hard fought 40 minute battles this season, and Saturday's game was the final page in that chapter.
The first time these teams met, the Blue Angels gave up 58 points in the first half alone. Since then, MMU has been working on taking better care of the ball, and overall better shot selection. In the second installment of the Lions/Blue Angels contest, fans saw MMU put those goals to practice in the second half as they put the clamp down defensively and took their time on the offensive side.
In the first 20 minutes, however, the Blue Angels got behind a hot shooting Lions lineup. MMU matched buckets with Finlandia until about the 10 minute mark, where the Lions stepped up the full court press and seemed to not be able to miss a shot. Finlandia ended the half on a 26-8 run.
Again, the halftime pep-talk turned the Blue Angels around and got them to lockdown defensively in the second half. That rejuvenated final frame seems to be a recurrent theme for MMU this year, the defense only allowed 19 points in the final 20 minutes as they turned up the defensive pressure all the way.
Jasmine Meyer (Fr./Lansing, Kan.) played her heart out in the season finale, and it all culminated into the rookie's first collegiate double-double. A great way to end the season for the forward, she finished with a team leading 16 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks.
Teammate Chrisandra Freeman (Fr.\Cedar Rapids, Iowa) finished with seven points, six rebounds, and one block for her team. Freeman who has been in the top 10 in the Association of Division III Independents in points per game, rebounds per game and assists per game, also finishes the season as the team leader with 14.1 ppg, 7.8 rpg and 1.3 spg.
A season filled with ups and downs is finally in the books. MMU battle through the entire season. As head coach Marc Heidorf said, "The fight in them (MMU) was amazing."
"I know we lost today but look beyond the score and you see the progress. 58 points represents a 30 point drop from their total the last time we played." Coach Heidorf was impressed by both sides of the court, "We thought we had an advantage in the offensive low post, Jasmine Meyer leads us in scoring and earns her first double-double. If you've followed us this year, you have seen these ladies come together and improve."
A great foundational season for the Blue Angels, with a young roster putting in the time and minutes necessary MMU fans are excited to see what the future has in store.
Coach Heidorf seems to agree with the Blue Angels faithful, "they have some work to do now in the offseason but I think they understand the importance now. I cannot wait to get them back in the gym already!"
Only 265 days until next year's first tip-off, get ready!
