Game Notes: Carthage College @ North Central College (1/4/12)

Final Score
(25)Carthage 72, NCC 48

Summary
The Cardinals (6-6, 0-1) actually got off to a good start last night and led by as much as 3 early on. The Lady Reds (10-2, 1-0) tied the game at 12 and never trailed the rest of the way, slowly making it a one-sided affair. The Cardinals did all they could before the half to try and stay in the game, but wouldn't get any closer than 7 points. Shots weren't falling and the defense wasn't great, as a 36-25 halftime deficit ballooned to as much as 29. Pretty much what you'd expect from a ranked team.

Key Stats

• Field Goal Pct: Carthage: 62.5% (30-48), NCC 35.2% (19-54). Subpar shooting nights usually result in losses, especially when you let the other team shoot over 60 percent. Yesterday I praised North Central's defense, and they did well on the perimeter, but there were WAY too many easy passes inside resulting in easy layups (see below). Meanwhile North Central after its early strong start couldn't get a bucket to go, shooting only 32% in the 2nd half.
• Carthage: 42 points in the paint. The interior defense tonight, normally solid, was poor yesterday. Cailee Corcoran (20 points on 9-11 shooting, plus a pair of freebies) and Diana Jacklin (16 points on 8-12 shooting) tore apart the paint with easy layup after easy layup. When the other team is getting tons of points from its frontcourt, you're in trouble.
• Helen Muleya (NCC): 3-11 FG, 1-2 3PT, 7 pts, 1 ast, 5 to. I like Helen, but I had to point this out. She's clearly the best perimeter defender on the team and can ignite fast breaks, but she struggles at the point in the halfcourt offense, especially with decision making. Coming into the game, she averaged 4 turnovers per game, and matched that at halftime. You cannot have your floor general turn it over that many times (especially when one of those was an inexcusable 5 second call). To make matters worse, she had horrible shot selection. Most of her misses were weak attempts at layups in traffic. I don't know if she was trying to draw fouls or what the case was, but she needs to go stronger to the basket or not go up at all if there are people in the way. Drive and dish a little bit; she has good post players in the Emily's (Collins and Murphy), and off the bench as well.

Final Thoughts
I'd be lying if I said I didn't expect to get blown out. A ranked team against a squad that has really struggled much of the year? I was impressed we were in the game early, then the Cardinals reminded me that they run the Clogged Toilet Offense. I was shocked at how easily Corcoran and Jacklin were able to score on us last night. On the plus side, while the Cards did turn it over 20 times, they forced 27 turnovers by the Lady Reds. A lot of nights that will get the job done, but not last night, where low post presence ruled. The Cardinals are back in action Saturday at Augustana, and my next Game Notes will be next week.