The Lady Hawks lost to the Prairie Stars for the first time in school history Monday night in the Capital City.
Here’s a look at Monday’s stars:
1. Alyssa Palmer
The Prairie Stars’ point guard was tough for the Lady Hawks to contain. Seems like every move she made was the right one as she finished with game highs of 19 points and 10 assists. She easily got past QU’s defense to penetrate the lane. When she wasn’t shooting she was dishing the ball off.
2. Linsay Henke
Why Henke doesn’t get a touch on every possession these days baffles me. UIS’s 6-foot Elizabeth Kelly did a commendable job guarding the Lady Hawks’ 6-4 post, but Henke had a clear advantage that the Lady Hawks didn’t exploit nearly enough. Henke made 7 of 8 shots. She was just 1 for 4 from the line and could be facing more “Hack-A-Henke” defenses since she’s so lethal around the hoop. She finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds. The senior has been the Lady Hawks’ most consistent — and valuable — player this season.
3. Lucy Cramsey
It’s good to see the Liberty product getting some confidence back in her shot. She carried the Lady Hawks from the perimeter, making three 3-pointers after coming into the game shooting just 30 percent from distance and 27.4 percent from the field overall. Cramsey had 18 points on 7-for-16 shooting. With the Lady Hawks floundering a bit on offense right now, Cramsey will need more nights like Mondays to help QU get back on track.
DOBservations
Before Monday, the Lady Hawks were 11-0 against UIS, winning by an average of 26.3 points per game in those games. QU won all of those matchups by double digits. … The win was the 12th — and biggest — in UIS coach Marne Fauser’s three years on the Prairie Stars’ bench. … QU turned the ball over 25 times, leading to 29 points for the Prairie Stars. Senior Kassidy Shuman had nine of those turnovers. … Less than halfway through the GLVC schedule, the Lady Hawks (4-3) have lost more league games than they did all of the 2010-11 season (16-2). … The Lady Hawks played their third straight game without senior shooting guard Daryle Goldie, who is out with a concussion.
DOB raised the question “What is wrong with THE QU LADYHAWKS ?
I think it is a combination of several things:
1.We lost a lot of firepower from last year;Courtney,Steph and J.J. Vaughn.
2.Transition to a new coach.
3.Team chemistry ?
4.A term I call” senioritis”
5.To Much reliance on the 3,especially when we have a 6-4 center and the best rebounding team in The GLVC.
6.A lack of team quickness,very evident in the St.Joseph loss at home.
7.No swagger or enthusiasm except for Ali and Lucy.I do like Kelli Buresh hustle off the bench.
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
1.Bring Daryl Goldie off the bench;she was the best 6th man in the GLVC last year and relished that role.
2.More playing time for Felisha Loggins;Good things happen when she is in the game.
3.Shoot more FT in practice;we are one of the worst in the GLVC.
4.More touches for Darla if we continue to shoot the 3.
5.Utilize the driving ability of Ali,Kassidy,Lucy and Karlee.
6.Defend better against the 3.
7.Kassidy needs to perform at an All-Conference Level and with more consistency.