UMAC Game of the Week: Crown vs. North Central - Women's Basketball
The UMAC Game of the Week runs each week during the conference regular season and breaks down one key matchup from one sport.
The Matchup
Saturday, Dec. 15 - Crown College at North Central University, women's basketball, 3 p.m. in Minneapolis, Minnesota
***UPDATE***
North Central wins 61-48
What's at Stake
- Rivalry game - In recent years, this matchup has become a rivalry game for both programs. A year ago, Crown took the first game of the season 65-57 on the road before North Central rebounded in the second game at Crown with a 55-43 win.
- Early season gains - Crown is searching for its first conference victory of the season in what should be a closely-contested contest, while North Central is off to a 1-1 start. Last February, the two teams finished one game apart in the conference standings with Crown placing sixth with an opportunity to make the playoffs in the final weeks of the season. This game could help either team inch closer to a postseason bid.
- Postseason hopes - Neither team has participated in the UMAC postseason during the NCAA era. Early on, both teams still have a fair chance at doing so if they can win critical games against teams that were not postseason participants last year.
Previously in Action
- Crown suffered its second-straight conference loss in a 76-35 decision to the University of Northwestern Wednesday night at home.
- North Central dropped a 78-46 conference game to the College of St. Scholastica to fall to 1-2 so far this year.
Need to Know
- Offensive struggles - Both teams have struggled offensively in the early conference season and will need to find their stride in order to pull off a win. Crown has played just two contests – both against top-four finishers from a year ago – and has averaged just over 35 points per game (ppg), while North Central has averaged 50.0 pgg.
- Offensive glass - Crown is second in conference play in offensive boards (15 per game) which should help increase their odds of scoring against North Central and getting second-chance opportunities. North Central is fourth in overall rebounding margin, though, which means both teams need to be solid around the basket. If the Storm manages to control the glass, they should be able to pull out a victory.
- Limit turnovers - Both teams have averaged over 20 turnovers a game in early conference play. It will be critical for both teams ot control the ball and try to limit that number in order to come up with a crucial victory.
Players to Watch - Crown
- Stevey De La Ossa, Jr., G - UMAC Stats: 7.0 ppg, 1.5 apg
- Patricia Gibson, Jr., F - UMAC Stats: 6.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg
- Shauna Thompson, Fy., G - UMAC Stats: 7.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg
Players to Watch - North Central
- Allison Bulthuis, So., G - UMAC Stats: 14.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 36.4 3-pt FG%, 4.0 3-pt made/g, 2.0 spg
- Haleigh Filer, Sr., G - UMAC Stats: 7.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 5.0 apg, 2.0 spg
- Naomi Hagestrom, Fy., F - UMAC Stats: 10.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 84.6 FT%, 0.7 bpg
This game will be a "can't miss." Keep up with the
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2018-19 Game of the Week Archives