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HomeNewsArchivesWESTERN MICHIGAN TOPPLES ARIZONA IN JAM ACTION

WESTERN MICHIGAN TOPPLES ARIZONA IN JAM ACTION

Nov. 25, 2001 – The first game in the women's St. John Division of the Paradise Jam 2001 NCAA basketball tournament Saturday night saw the University of Western Michigan continue a day of upsets with a 77-63 victory over the Associated Press No. 21-ranked Arizona State University Sun Devils.
In afternoon play in the women's St. Thomas Division at the University of the Virgin Islands Sports and Fitness Center, Texas had defeated 23rd-ranked Wisconsin and the University of Southern California had toppled 12th-ranked Florida.
The UWM Broncos literally shot the lights out in defeating the ASU Sun Devils. The Broncos shot a sizzling 74 percent from the field in the first half and finished the game with 62 percent on 26 out of 42 — a new tournament record.
The Sun Devils never led but tied the game once at 21-21 with 8:14 left in the first half. "ASU is ranked, and it takes a great effort to beat them," Broncos coach Ron Steward said after the game.
The lights did go out with 3:24 left in the game with the Broncos leading, 67-59. When the power came back on, it was more of the same as Western Michigan boosted their lead into double figures.
The Broncos had good execution in every facet of the game. "We controlled the ball well and limited our turnovers and shot the ball well," Steward said.
The Broncos had four players in double figures — Casey Rost with 22, Brianne Gallert with 14, Maria Julian with 13, and Karen Deurloo with 10.
"We gave away too many shots in the paint," Arizona State coach Charli Turner Thorne said. "I feel every player should knock down easy, open shots — and they did."
Melody Johnson and Leah Combs led the Sun Devils with 18 and 10 points, respectively.
Both teams now have a record of 2-2 for the young season.
Kansas State Wildcats 85, Richmond Spiders 63
Saturday night, in the second game in the women's St. John Division, the Kansas State Wildcats defeated the Richmond Spiders, 85-63 at the UVI Sports and Fitness Center.
Kansas State had four players in double figures — Nicole Ohlde with 21, Laurie Koehn with 18, Kendra Wecker with 16 and Shalondra Booker with 12. Ohlde grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds; Wecker and Megan Mahoney each had nine.
"We had a good inside and outside game and got everyone involved in the game," Wildcats head coach Deb Patterson said afterward.
For Richmond, Elise Ryder led in scoring with 22 points, while Cammy Desmond added 11. Ebony Tanner was the leader in rebounds, with seven.
In the tournament standings, the Wildcats improved to 3-0 and the Spiders dropped to 1-2. St. John Division play will continue Sunday afternoon and Monday.

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