WOLVERINES CRUISE PAST CHICAGO STATE

The Wolverines started the game on a 16-3 run and never looked back, defeating the Cougars 71-38. At one point they led by as many as 27 points.

Head Coach Cathy Nixon was happy with the performance but not completely satisfied.

“I’m pretty greedy,” Nixon said. “I want them to score 80 points and I don’t want them to have turnovers, but I thought we really did the process well. I think the next step for us is that we are able to perform at our best, regardless of who we play.”

Sammie Jensen was her usual self, recording another double-double with 22 points and 13 boards. She collected her sixth Great West conference player of the week in the process. She ranks second in the country in double-doubles and fifth in rebounding. Those are astounding numbers for someone who isn’t even the third tallest player on the team.

In the defeat of the Cougars, Jensen wasn’t alone. She was one of 4 players with double figures. Kaycee Mansfield, Tina Doughty and Taylor Huber also scored 10 points or more in the 71-38 game.

“I think the balanced scoring is something that is helping us right now,” Nixon said. “We’ve always had Sammie with those double-doubles, but it’s good to have other kids in double figures.”

The Wolverines have been working on bench production and defense all season long, and the hard work looks like it’s paying off. They had 16 bench points against the Cougars and held them to a season low 38 points.

“I think the best thing that happened to us recently is we had a week of practice,” Nixon said. “We haven’t had that in a while, and I think that will result in us being a better team.”

At halftime, Coach Nixon issued a challenge to her team to hold Chicago State to less than 40 points. Challenge accomplished. There must be some great reward for having accomplished such an amazing feat.

“We probably won’t have to run,” Kaycee Mansfield said.

Sounds like an excellent reward, especially for a team that cruised to victory.