Opening round of the Division II Women’s National Basketball Tournament started Wednesday morning for the Lady Blue Devils (29-3) against Waubonsee Community College (26-7).
The first quarter started off slow for both teams but the Blue Devils fought back from an 8-2 deficit to lead 14-12 at the first break.
“I’m glad our girls fought through their nervous and played style after the first quarter,” said head coach Joe McKinstry.
Halfway through the second quarter the Blue Devil attack took its usual form and set the tone offensively. Erin Anderson led the way with 11 first half points and added 7 rebounds to go along with her offense. Brooklyn Wagler contributed 7 points herself to help the Blue Devils go in to the half up 37-26.
The second half was all about defense for the Blue Devils, holding Waubonsee to 52 percent shooting on only 21 shots. The Chiefs committed 28 turnovers in the game with 15 of them in the second half.
“Our pressure on the defensive end of the floor was great in the second half and it (was) very difficult for Waubonsee to get much going offensively,” McKinstry added.
The Blue Devils stretched their lead as big as 21 in the game. Anderson led the charge, finishing with 20 points, Wagler finished with 13, Aricca Daye added 14 of her own, and off the bench Brie Tauai added 9 points en route to a 19-point victory over Waubonsee 72-53.
“In a tournament like this, the first win is always the toughest to get,” McKinstry said.
The Lady Blue Devils (30-3) will face Owens Community College (27-6) from Perrysburg, Ohio, at 8 p.m. Thursday March 17, at Johnson County Community College.
– Story and photo from Jason Browar, KCKCC