MANITOWOC, Wis. – The Mount Mary University basketball team set the program's new record for wins with their tenth tonight against Silver Lake College (8-21). Initially falling behind, the Blue Angels (10-8) then held their opponent to just two points in the second quarter as they regained the lead on their way to a 50-47 victory.
The Blue Angels took the lead on their first possession of a game on a Melissa Golo (Fr./Boise, Idaho) jump shot. Then Rae Grubbs (Jr./Covington, Ind.) followed that up with her first three pointer of the evening, tying the program's record for three-point field goals made in a season at 37.
Following the early MMU lead, the Lakers went on a 16-8 run to recapture the lead. SLC held the Blue Angels to 4-of-18 from the field, while the Lakers hit 7-of-14 to open up the first quarter. SLC's Tasha Rabe scored nine of her 11 points of the evening in the first.
In the second quarter, the Blue Angels turned up their defense. While they held their opponent to just 1-of-13 from the field in the second, the Blue Angels were able to regain the lead hitting 3-of-7 from outside in the quarter. Grubbs hit one of those three making her the player to hit 38 3-point field goals in a single season for the Blue Angels.
After the Rae Grubbs' three-pointer, MMU took a 23-20 lead, one which they would not surrender thereafter.
MMU continued to hit from outside in the third quarter. Spreading around 4-of-8 from outside, the Blue Angels also consistently stifled the opposition's offense. The Blue Angels forced the Lakers to rely on their bench for a majority of their scoring, meanwhile SLC hit only 4-of-17 as a team in the third. That combo of outside shooting and defense gave MMU the 39-31 lead going into the final quarter.
Although the Lakers were able to cut the lead to as few as three points, the Blue Angels seemed to carry the momentum throughout the quarter. MMU hit 3-of-11 from the field in the frame while their opponent hit 7-of-21. The Blue Angels 4-of-6 from the free throw line in the final ten minutes kept them in front long enough to grab the 50-47 victory.
"Our team had played consistent defense the entire game: rotating, hitting our post doubles, and communicating on baseline out of bounds plays," said Melissa Golo after tonight's win. "I managed to steal the ball and it was the dagger for the game. I hit my free throws and managed to stay present the entire game. I'm so proud of my team for winning this game and pushing our record to 10-8!"
Melissa Golo and Rae Grubbs led offense for the Blue Angels with 10 points each. Grubbs hit 4-of-4 from the free throw line while also grabbing three rebounds. Golo added four rebounds, one assist and a steal to her totals. Teammate Erica Williams (Bloomington, Ill.) led the rebounding effort for the Blue Angels with 15.
Going into tonight after Saturday's loss, we wanted to make sure we finished this one out," commented Grubbs during postgame. "Not only for us but for the school. Winning that double-digit win, is just one step closer to reaching our goal - winning season."
The Blue Angels have three games left on the schedule with their next coming this Wed. Feb. 13. The Blue Angels will host Lincoln Christian University for the 6:00 pm contest. Live streaming and stats for the game can be found at MtMaryAthletics.com.
