2008 Woodie Awards
Falcon youngsters show promise
By: Chris Voloschuk
Issue date: 3/17/08 Section: Sports
CLEVELAND - Any loss is disappointing, especially after three years of postseason dominance.
The BG women's basketball team and its fans have become accustomed to winning when it counts in the Mid-American Conference Tournament over the last three years. And while the competition in the tourney may have gotten tougher, the result was usually the same-a BG victory.
Friday afternoon wasn't the first glimpse into what was dubbed in the preseason as a transitional year, but it was the hardest-hitting. Ohio became the first team to down the Falcons in tournament play in a long time, 68-66, in double overtime.
"It was a great game," said BG coach Curt Miller. "What a battle. I'm really proud of our kids that we were a gutsy out. It just wasn't meant to be for us tonight."
But with the loss in the present comes some hope for the future. While BG couldn't capitalize and cut down the nets this season, fans got several looks at what could be a very bright future. The youth movement is in full swing within the roster, and there's some serious talent that has yet to fully mature.
While the veterans on the team made their mark, it was often the underclassmen who made the most impact in BG's two tournament games.
At times during Friday's loss, Miller was surprised at the size of the contributions he was getting from the rookies.
"I almost chuckled at one point, going 'how are we doing this, we're still battling with a bunch of freshmen,'" Miller said.
Any look into the impact of underclassmen for BG in this year's tournament has to start with sophomore center Tara Breske. Although she was matched up with post players from Kent State and Ohio who were taller, Breske scored 16 and 14 points in those games, respectively. She outworked other post players on the glass, pulling down a total of 20 rebounds in both games. She also had four blocks and four steals.
The MAC responded to Breske's efforts by naming her to the All-MAC Tournament team.
The BG women's basketball team and its fans have become accustomed to winning when it counts in the Mid-American Conference Tournament over the last three years. And while the competition in the tourney may have gotten tougher, the result was usually the same-a BG victory.
Friday afternoon wasn't the first glimpse into what was dubbed in the preseason as a transitional year, but it was the hardest-hitting. Ohio became the first team to down the Falcons in tournament play in a long time, 68-66, in double overtime.
"It was a great game," said BG coach Curt Miller. "What a battle. I'm really proud of our kids that we were a gutsy out. It just wasn't meant to be for us tonight."
But with the loss in the present comes some hope for the future. While BG couldn't capitalize and cut down the nets this season, fans got several looks at what could be a very bright future. The youth movement is in full swing within the roster, and there's some serious talent that has yet to fully mature.
While the veterans on the team made their mark, it was often the underclassmen who made the most impact in BG's two tournament games.
At times during Friday's loss, Miller was surprised at the size of the contributions he was getting from the rookies.
"I almost chuckled at one point, going 'how are we doing this, we're still battling with a bunch of freshmen,'" Miller said.
Any look into the impact of underclassmen for BG in this year's tournament has to start with sophomore center Tara Breske. Although she was matched up with post players from Kent State and Ohio who were taller, Breske scored 16 and 14 points in those games, respectively. She outworked other post players on the glass, pulling down a total of 20 rebounds in both games. She also had four blocks and four steals.
The MAC responded to Breske's efforts by naming her to the All-MAC Tournament team.
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