Janesville Cougars can’t hold off Oregon
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JANESVILLE — Clutch shooting kept Janesville Craig’s girls in the game, but poor shooting from the foul line contributed to another loss in the Optimist Classic ‘09 in the Craig gym.
For the second night in a row, the Cougars lost after surrendering the lead. Oregon benefited from Craig’s generosity Tuesday for a 51-45 win in the consolation game of the holiday tournament.
Three consecutive three-point baskets at the end of the second quarter propelled Craig to a 25-18 halftime lead. Until the long-range shots (two by Taylor Storbakken and the other by Whitney Oliver) in the closing minute of the second quarter, the teams played to a draw.
Oregon had an advantage in the first quarter until Craig’s Anne Morgan heated up to bring the Cougars back to a 13-13 tie after one quarter. Morgan scored seven of her eight points in the opening quarter.
The Cougars led 32-30 after three quarters, but some familiar and unpleasant factors were showing up in the scorebook. Craig’s post player, Emily Hinman, was again in foul trouble, the Cougars started committing turnovers and players were having trouble converting from the free- throw line. Craig missed 10 free throws, four in the closing minutes of the third quarter and three more in the final period.
Hinman, after four quick points in the first quarter, ended up sitting on the bench much of the game.
“Emily never got into a rhythm tonight,” Marsden said. “Foul trouble for our post players has been something that’s been hanging over our heads all season. Many of the fouls are reach in fouls, so we just have to work harder on going straight up on defense.”
Craig was outscored 21-13 in the final quarter when the Cougars were unable to stop Oregon’s Bryn Anderson, a 6-foot senior forward. Anderson scored six points in the final quarter and provided rebounding power on the offensive boards.
Craig coach Mark Marsden noted that Oregon is in the sectional Craig will be playing. Tuesday’s loss likely will place Craig with a seed behind the Panthers.
Storbakken led Craig (3-3) with 11 points.
Oregon’s Anderson led all scorers with 14.
Despite the loss, Marsden sees signs of a good Cougar team that needs to correct just a few mistakes that have cost them.
“We are looking for changes and constant adjustments,” he said. “Those are teachable.”
OREGON 51, CRAIG 45
Oregon (51)—Anderson, 7-0-14; Jahn, 0-4-4; Hanson, 2-1-5; Cook, 5-1-12; Kleitsch, 3-4-10; Lien, 1-90-2; Macaulay, 0-2-2; Wilhelm, 1-0-2. Totals: 19-12-51.
Craig (45)—Hamilton, 1-3-6; Kennedy, 1-1-3; Morgan, 3-2-8; Marshick, 2-1-5; Hinman, 1-2-4; Storbakken, 4-1-11; W. Oliver, 1-0-3; Legried, 1-0-2; L. Oliver, 0-1-1; Straw, 1-0-2. Totals: 15-11-45.
Oregon 13 5 12 21—51
Janesville Craig 13 12 7 13—45
Three-point goals—Orwron 1 (Cook), Craig 4 (hamilton, storrbakken 2, W. Oliver). Free throws missed—Oregon 6, Craig 10. Total fouls—Oregon 15, Craig 18.
Sophomores—Craig 59. Muskego 52 Craig leaders: Emilie O’Donnell 11, Maddie Philipps, 10.
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