Aukland loss a sign of good things for NIU
November 27, 1989
If last Tuesday’s exhibition game is any indication of what’s ahead for the NIU women’s basketball team, then the NCAA best beware.
NIU demolished the Auckland Nationals in front of 1,046 fans at Chick Evans Field House, 88-42.
“It was a total all-around coach’s dream,” Huskie boss Jane Albright said.
One of the main reasons for the whipping of the team from New Zealand was the play of 6-2 senior forward Tammy Hinchee. Hinchee scored 23 points, pulled down 13 rebounds and added three steals in guiding the NIU attack. Albright loved every minute of it.
“You know how I said (Monday) that tomorrow was like Christmas,” Albright said. “Well, this was the biggest present I’ve ever had under the tree. That was the best game I’ve ever seen Tammy have. She set our aggressiveness and tempo.
Hinchee was excited about the start also.
“We were looking to get off on the right track,” Hinchee said. “Coach said this would set up the season, so we came out strong.”
Strong describes the tempo NIU displayed throughout the game. The only time that Auckland was in the game came early. Auckland led 5-4 and 7-6, but that would be all. The Huskies jumped out to a 15-7 lead and never looked back. Auckland came within 6 points at 19-13, only to see NIU rattle off the next 29 points. Much of the credit was given to the Huskie defense, which appeared relentless all evening. It held the Auckland team scoreless for over seven minutes in that stretch. The tough Huskie “D” only allowed Auckland four more points in the first half as NIU went into the lockerroom up by a 52-17 margin.
“Our defense took them out of the game,” Albright said. “Our good pressure kept them out of the inside. They were frustrated. That’s what we’ll live and die with.”
Along with Hinchee on the offensive end, three of the four other Huskies starters scored in double figures to aid the NIU cause. Carol Owens battled for 18 points and 7 rebounds, Lisa Foss chipped in 12 points and Kris Weis added 10. The only starter not to score in double figures was point guard Denise Dove who just missed with 9 points, all of them coming on three-point field goals.
For the game, NIU hit 39 of 77 shots for a 49.3 field goal percentage, while adding 9 of 11 free throws.
Albright, smiling the whole game, was able to clear the bench and keep everybody fresh. That can affect the play of the team, but not this time.
“No matter who we put in,” Albright said, “we had continuity on offense and defense.”
Albright was especially surprised with the play of sophomore guard Dee Dee Jeske. Jeske came off the bench and scored eight points while coming out with five rebounds.
“I was surprised at Dee Dee’s confidence,” Albright said. “She grew up real quickly. She came in with a lot of poise.”
Albright threw praise in all directions, while the Auckland coach, Ann Robertson, held a different perspective on the game.
“I don’t think they (Auckland) were really in the game,” Robertson said. “The refs were the worst in all nine games that we’ve played. You’re team played well—there’s no excuses, we were beat.”
Robertson was impressed with the play of Hinchee and Owens.
“I was really impressed with number 31 (Owens) and 42 (Hinchee),” Robertson said. “They would match up with the best.”
The Auckland coach also felt that the pressure of the NIU defense was the difference in the game. She did feel better about her team’s performance in the second half, in which Auckland stayed close to NIU by scoring 25 while yielding 36.
“You really attacked us and put pressure on,” Robertson said. “We came out better in the second half.”
The Huskies are now concentrating on the University of Minnesota where they will officially open the 1989-90 campaign Tuesday at 5 p.m.
Albright is looking forward to the match-up with the Golden Gophers because she was impressed with her team’s performance.
“I think that we were better than I thought we were,” Albright said. “I think we really talked on the floor and executed the offense very well. We have a lot of weapons.”
I don’t think they (Auckland) were really in the game.”
Ann Robertson, Auckland coach