Friday, March 4, 2011

DePauw Women's Basketball NCAA Tournament Live Blog

Hey folks we're about 45 minutes away from tip here at the DeVos Fieldhouse at Hope College where the DePauw Tigers (25-3) are set to take on the Hope College Flying Dutch in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Hope comes in having won 76 straight games at home and is 95-1 in this gym. Here are the starting lineups for both teams:

DePauw:
F Ellie Pearson
F Katie Aldrich
G Lauren Goff
G Katie Matthews
G Kate Walker

Hope:
F/C Carrie Snickkers
G/F Erika Bruinsma
G Liz Ellis
G/F Lauren Greers
G/F Miranda DeKuiper

Follow the blog throughout the night for live updates! Also on Twitter @WGRERadio.

Go Tigers!

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Halftime score: 39-33 Hope leads DePauw.
DePauw trailing by 12 with 1:30 left, the Tigers were able to go on a 6-0 run to end the half and cut the deficit to half a dozen on a Katie Aldrich layup with 3 seconds left.
DePauw has shot an abysmal 9-28 for a 32% FG percentage, while Hope has shot 56% on 13-23 shooting and 6 of 10 shooting from behind-the-arc.
Free throw shooting has been a bright spot for DePauw though as they've shot 14-16 from the charity stripe while the Flying Dutch has made 7 of 10 from the line.
If the Tigers can get things going from the field and specifically 3-point range, they could very well claw their way back into this basketball game!
Katie Aldrich and Katie Matthews lead DePauw with 8 points a piece. Hope is led by Carrie Snickers and Liz Ellis with 11 and 10 points respectively.
Follow us on twitter http://twitter.com/#!/WGRERadio for more live updates throughout the ball game.

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77-65 DePauw loses ;(

Sunday, February 27, 2011

DePauw Men's Championship LIVE BLOG

Welcome to the Live Blog for the 2011 SCAC Men's Basketball Championship Game between DePauw and Centre. We are live in Jackson, Mississippi on the campus of Millsaps College bringing you all the action live on 91.5 WGRE. Tune into wgre.org for live audio of the game or follow us via this blog for constant game updates. Thanks for joining us!

Here are the starting lineups for this afternoon's game:

DePauw:
G Michael Wilkison
G Ross Simpson
G/F Sean Haesley
F Steve Lemasters
F Ryan Sever

Centre:
G Bryon Ellis
G Jeff Mullaney
G Donovan Whiteside
F Greg Ross
C Alex Lloyd

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Centre 5, DePauw 0
17:00 to play first half
DePauw calls the quick thirty second time out after the turnover. DePauw has been held scoreless thus far, and Bryon Ellis has picked up where he left off in last night's semifinal by stroking his first 3 of the ball game. Ellis tied an SCAC tourney record with 8 last night.

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Centre 7, DePauw 3
15:51 to play first half
Ryan Sever gets the Tigers on the board with a perimeter jumper but Greg Ross responds for Centre.

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Centre 14, DePauw 5
12:35 to play first half
Greg Ross has 6 early points to lead the Colonels, Ryan Sever has all 5 points for the Tigers.

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Centre 17, DePauw 9
9:35 to play first half
Ross and Ellis both have 6 points to lead the Colonels to the eight point edge over the Tigers.

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Centre 20, DePauw 12
6:45 to play first half
Haesley knockes in one of two free throws to cut Centre's lead to 8 points, but Whiteside responds with a two to increase the Colonel advantage to 8.

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Centre 27, DePauw 12
5:05 to play first half
Centre is on a 9-0 run and have increased their lead to 15. Coach Fenlon preaching fundamentals in the time out huddle, his team needing a run to close the half. We'll talk to Coach Fenlon as he heads to the locker room before halftime.

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Centtre 31, DePauw 18
1:46 to play first half
Wilkison makes one of two free throws to cut Centre's lead to 13.

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Centre 34, DePauw 18
Halftime
DePauw trails by 16 on the scoreboard at halftime, needing a big comeback to secure an SCAC Championship and NCAA Tournament berth.

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Centre 36, DePauw 25
18:37 to play
DePauw is on a 7-2 run to open the half; Wilkison with four points during the run.
Video highlights from the first half and Coach Fenlon's halftime interview will be available on WGRE's You Tube channel in moments!

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Centre 47, DePauw 35
14:03 to play
Haesley makes one of two free throws and Sever follows with a bucket to cut the lead to 12.

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Centre 47, DePauw 37
12:53 to play
DePauw on a 5-0 spurt to pull within ten. In the last few series DePauw has forced Centre College turnovers and exploited holes in Centre's zone defense.

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Centre 49, DePauw 43
10:52 to play
DePauw is rallying from a 17 point deficit against Centre, Sever's triple pulls DePauw as close as they have been since the first half.

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Centre 52, DePauw 49
8:45 to play
DePauw cuts the lead to 3 on a Haesley three point basket. 31-18 run to open the half after trailing by 16.

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Centre 59, DePauw 51
5:42 to play
DePauw rallying, but back to back shots from Greg Ross and Bryon Ellis puts Centre back up 8.

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Centre 65, DePauw 53
2:29 to play
DePauw needs another big rally in the closing minutes, now trailing defending SCAC Champion Centre by 12. DePauw opened the half on a 31-18 run, and have been as close as 3 in the second half but Centre's rebounding and second chance points have been too much for DePauw so far down the stretch.

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Centre 75, DePauw 63
End of Game
DePauw's frantic second half comeback effort falls short, and Centre takes home the SCAC Championship and the conference's automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament next weekend.

Thanks for following the blog-- stay tuned to WGRE as we follow the NCAA Tournament beginning next weekend!

DePauw Womens Championship LIVE BLOG

Welcome to the Live Blog for the 2011 SCAC Women's Basketball Championship Game. We are live in Jackson, Mississippi on the campus of Millsaps College bringing you all the action live on 91.5 WGRE. Tune into wgre.org for live audio of the game or follow us via this blog for constant game updates. Thanks for joining us!

DePauw Starters:
G Kate Walker
G Lauren Goff
F Katie Matthews
F Katie Aldrich
C Ellie Pearson

Hendrix Starters:
G Samantha Devlin
G Avery Roller
G Katy Ashley-Pauley
F Jamie Tate
C Christina Byler

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Should be an excellent match between two great SCAC rivals. Christina Byler looks to continue her dominant tournament performance with Hendrix's first SCAC title, while SCAC coach of the year Kris Huffman looks for yet another SCAC crown and birth into the NCAA tournament. Stay tuned for all game updates!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18:53

DPU 3

Hendrix 0

Lauren Goff 3 Pointer to start game
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17:27

DePauw 3

Hendrix 5

DePauw looks sloppy while Byler is knocking home a 3...
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15:50

DePauw 3

Hendrix 7

More DPU turnovers accompanied by great defense from the Warriors
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14:17

DePauw 6

Hendrix 9

Walker 3 for DPU followed by foul and bucket for Hendrix. DPU outplayed thus far
__________________________

12:24

DePauw 8

Hendrix 13

Easy buckets inside for Hendrix
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11:00

DePauw 12

Hendrix 15

Quick inbounds bucket for Mathews, followed by easy lay in for Warriors
__________________________

10:25

DePauw 15

Hendrix 15

Good take by Pearson to finish off 3 pt. play
__________________________

9:25

DePauw 17

Hendrix 17

TIMEOUT HENDRIX: DPU so far outmuscled inside but coming back with patience on offense
Good play from Hendrix however being physical at both ends of court
__________________________

7:20

DePauw 19

Hendrix 20
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5:50

DePauw 21

Hendrix 23

Offensive Rebounds for DPU but can't finish 2nd chance pts.
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5:00

DePauw 23

Hendrix 23

Gasaway having a monster game for DPU: Pearson 2 fouls for DPU, Byler for Warriors getting taped up on sidelines, seems to be in a lot of pain
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4:01

DePauw 25

Hendrix 23

Kate Walker follows own shot to draw foul. First lead for DPU since 3-0
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3:40

DePauw 27

Hendrix 23

Aldrich fall away bucket for DPU, just picked up 2nd foul at other end. Hendrix's Caty Hensy just picked up her 3rd. Fouls starting to add up for both sides.
__________________________
2:10

DePauw 31

Hendrix 26

Byler drills a 3 to stop the DPU 12-0 run.
__________________________
1:00

DePauw 33

Hendrix 29

Byler hits another 3 then Mathews responds with jumper
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HALFTIME

DePauw 35

Hendrix 29

Another big basket from Mathews, her and Gasaway have carried team offensively this half. Byler for Hendrix has looked real good at both ends especially since being injured.
__________________________

DPU is 354-16 underneath Coach Huffman when leading at halftime, including 21-0 this season when doing so...odds are on the Tigers side.
__________________________
18:15

DePauw 35

Hendrix 29

No points yet in 2nd half...very physical and two quick fouls on Hendrix
__________________________
17:30

DePauw 37

Hendrix 31

Aldrich then Byler
__________________________
16:09

DePauw 43

Hendrix 31

Back to back three pointers for Goff and Walker has DPU up 12...here we go again
__________________________
14:49

DePauw 43

Hendrix 34

3 pointer for Ashley-Pauley...Devlin hurt at other end with brutal elbow, bad no call
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13:45

DePauw 45

Hendrix 36

Byler free throws and Goff jumper
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11:55

DePauw 47

Hendrix 38
__________________________
10:19

DePauw 52

Hendrix 40

Big Offensive rebound and put back for Ali Ross with a foul as well...
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8:50

DePauw 57

Hendrix 43

Ali Ross has gone on her own 8-0 run for DePauw
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7:08

DePauw 61

Hendrix 45

Starting to get into desperation time for Hendrix, especially on offensive end where they have struggled here in the 2nd half.
__________________________
6:19

DePauw 63

Hendrix 47

Hard for the Warriors to come back when Gasaway hits fade-a-way 15 footer as shot clock expires. Timeout DPU
__________________________
4:45

DePauw 66

Hendrix 51

Huge three pointer for Kate Walker...will probably seal the deal here in Jackson
__________________________
4:01

DePauw 69

Hendrix 53

Byler picks up her second foul after a good bucket from Tate inside
__________________________
3:03

DePauw 73

Hendrix 53

DPU will go onto win the SCAC tournament yet again, in blowout fashion...however Hendrix played a very hard and physical game with the Tigers.
__________________________
1:22

DePauw 75

Hendrix 59
__________________________
Final

DePauw 80

Hendrix 71

This is the 10th overall SCAC Championship for the Tigers. The second straight for them in the tournament and their 6th tournament crown. Congratulations to the SCAC coach of the year, Kris Huffman and her Tigers for another excellent season.
__________________________

Saturday, February 26, 2011

DePauw Men's Basketball LIVE BLOG

Hey everybody! Thanks for checking out our LIVE blog today of the DePauw Tiger Men Basketball team's SCAC tournament semifinal game against the Trinity University Tigers.

Here's the starting lineup as we get set to go live from the Hangar Dome in Jackson, MS.

Ryan Myrehn and Scott White have the call live on 91.5 FM and WGRE.org.

DePauw:
G- Michael Wilkison
G- Ross Simpson
G- Sean Haesley
F- Steve Lemasters
F- Ryan Sever

Trinity:
F- Robert Kitzinger
F- Zach Lambert
F- Luke Caldarera
G- Ryan Beall
G- Luke Caldarera
F- Clarke Allan

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DePauw 5, Trinity 0
17:18 to play first half
DePauw springs out in front with a triple by Wilkison and a deuce from Sever. Trinity has yet to score.

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DePauw 11, Trinity 7
14:12 to play first half
Steve Lemasters has two three-point baskets to give DePauw the early four point edge. Luke Caldarera has 5 early points for Trinity.

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DePauw 15, Trinity 10
12:06 to play first half
DePauw has bounced out in front courtesy of their three-point shooting and second chance points. Ryan Russell gets a follow up shot in for two and draws the foul, bringing DePauw's lead to five. Lemasters has two quick threes for DePauw and Wilkison has added one as well.

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DePauw 18, Trinity 10
11:06 to play first half
DePauw takes an eight point lead into the first full time out of the game, with Sean Haseley's three-point jumper. DePauw has made four three-point baskets in the first nine minutes of the game to give themselves the eight point lead. Look for video on WGRE's You Tube channel and website at halftime of this ballgame and tune in for a quick interview with Coach Fenlon heading into the half.

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DePauw 28, Trinity 17
6:33 to play first half
DePauw extends the lead to double digits with another three point basket. DePauw's lead is coming courtesy of the perimeter jumpers falling, much different story than the loss at Trinity earlier in the season.

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DePauw 28, Trinity 21
4:11 to play first half
DePauw's lead has been cut to 7 points as their scorers have gone cold in the last several minutes. We'll talk to Coach Fenlon at the half about what his team has to do in the second half to keep getting good shot opportunities the rest of the way.

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DePauw 31, Trinity 21
1:00 to play first half
Steve Lemasters has 12 points on 4 3-point baskets to lead DePauw to the 10 point lead.

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DePauw 33, Trinity 24
Halftime
DePauw leads by nine heading to the locker room. Coach Fenlon says he's going to work with his players and talk to them about making better passes to beat the zone during the break.

Thanks for everyone's e-mails about our web feed issues. At last check, things are up and running although that's out of our hands. It seems to be an external server. We'll keep things updated here and on our Twitter feed, @WGRERadio.

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DePauw 36, Trinity 28
18:00 to play
DePauw and Trinity trade baskets to open up the half. Check out highlights of the first half here: http://www.youtube.com/user/91point5

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DePauw 38, Trinity 32
15:00 to play
DePauw is clinging to a 6 point lead at the SCAC tournament. A technical foul called on Trinity's Luke Caldarera has DePauw's Sean Haesley at the line where he made 1 of 2 foul shots.

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DePauw 39, Trinity 32
14:59 to play
Tensions are running high on the Trinity sideline after Luke Caldarera was whistled for a technical foul. DePauw has possession looking to re-establish a double digit lead.

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DePauw 39, Trinity 36
12:34 to play
A basket by Trinity has cut the DePauw lead down to two, and the Tigers' perimeter shooting has gone cold. Michael Wilkison just committed a costly fourth personal foul and has taken a seat in favor of Ross Simpson.

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DePauw 44, Trinity 36
9:46 to play
A 5-0 run for DePauw has them back up eight points. Tommy Weakley has nailed a three pointer and Sean Haesley has a put back to give DePauw the edge.

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DePauw 46, Trinity 43
7:00 to play
DePauw's SCAC semifinal game against the Trinity Tigers is coming down to the wire in Jackson!

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DePauw 49, Trinity 43
6:01 to play
Steve Lemasters delivers another three to give DePauw a six point lead. Lemasters has been clutch from beyond the arc all game long, and is lifting DePauw against the #1 seed in the west, Trinity. Visit our You Tube channel after the game for complete game highlights!

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DePauw 52, Trinity 43
5:07 to play
The three point scoring binge is leading the Tigers to a big lead on Trinity. Lemasters and Weakley have triples on back to back possessions.

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DePauw 54, Trinity 49
3:36 to play
Zach Lambert knocks in a long two with a toe on the line to pull Trinity within five points of DePauw. This game promises to go down to the wire, with the winner facing either Centre or Oglethorpe, who play next on www.wgre.org!

Full timeout on the floor called by DePauw-- DPU Tigers are over the limit with fouls (8) while Trinity only has (3). Something to watch in the closing minutes.

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DePauw 56, Trinity 53
1:37 to go
Haesley beats the shot clock to pull DePauw up by five and Trinity answers with a two of their own on the next possession. If you're not already tuned in, check out the game on 91.5 FM or wgre.org.

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DePauw 58, Trinity 56
:29.6 to go
The Hangar Dome is rockin' here in Jackson-- Trinity rallied to tie the game at 56 and Ryan Sever found himself at the foul line where he made two free tries.

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DePauw 58, Trinity 56
DEPAUW HANGS ON! The Tigers survive a frenetic sequence on the last possession in which Trinity never got a good look at the basket and heads to the finals tomorrow to play either Centre or Oglethorpe! Go Tigers!

DePauw Women's Basketball LIVE BLOG

Hello folks, thanks for checking into our WGRE live blog for the DePauw women's basketball game. We're about five minutes away from getting the game underway so stick with us and we'll do our best to fill you in on everything taking place here in Jackson. www.wgre.org has the call of the game, with Tyler Archer and John Baxmeyer on the mic.

20:00

Starting Lineups:

Trinity

G Anne Waidelich
G Nicolette Halblieb
G/F Abby Dietert
F Libby Kruse
C Danielle Hubenak

DePauw

G Kate Walker
G Lauren Goff
F Katie Mathews
F Ellie Pearson
C Katie Aldrich

____________________________________________________________________________________

Trinity defeated DePauw in their only prior matchup this season 68-59. That loss on January 21st was DePauw's only loss in the SCAC all season, and still marks the last defeat for the Tigers this year.

____________________________________________________________________________________

16:59

Trinity 9
DePauw 2

DePauw calls timeout after getting off to a sloppy start. Turnovers and missed shots, plus early defensive struggles, have left the Tigers in a hole. Danielle Hubenak has already scored 5 for Trinity.

____________________________________________________________________________________

13:35

Trinity 11
DePauw 7

A fast pace and sloppy but spirited play characterize the game so far. Already six fouls have been called on Trinity compared to just one on DePauw. The Tigers are struggling to handle the full court pressure that Trinity has utilized, resulting in a high number of turnovers. When these two team played earlier this year, DePauw turned the ball over a season high 20 times en route to the loss.

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10:52

Trinity 17
DePauw 14

Timeout Trinity. The DPU Tigers are starting to get their act together, getting alot of points in the fast break. DePauw has done a much better job handling the press and has scored numerous times but catching Trinity out of position. The Tigers are currently on a 12-6 scoring run.

____________________________________________________________________________________

8:45

Trinity 23
DePauw 17

Trinity went on a run of their own, but leading scorer Danielle Hubenak just picked up her 2nd foul. Likely done for the half.

____________________________________________________________________________________


6:37

Trinity 23
DePauw 18

Moments later, Katie Aldrich picked up her 2nd personal of the half. She too is unlikely to return to the floor until the second period.

UPDATE: Add Ellie Pearson to that list as she picked up a questionable 2nd foul on the offensive end. Sure looked like a defensive foul from here...

Timeout DePauw
____________________________________________________________________________________

5:28

Trinity 23
DePauw 23

FULL TIMEOUT TRINITY. DePauw went on a quick 5-0 burst to tie the game. Looks like Trinity might be running out of gas trying to stay up-tempo against the very deep DePauw Tigers. Alex Gasaway ran down the floor ahead of everyone on the last play and got the feed from Kate Walker to tie the game and led to the timeout.

____________________________________________________________________________________

3:45

DePauw 28
Trinity 23

TIMEOUT TRINITY. DePauw came out of the timeout strong and made it a 10-0 run. DPU has its first lead of the ball game. Alex Gasaway and Erin McGinnis are playing MONSTER minutes off the bench.

____________________________________________________________________________________

HALFTIME

DePauw 34
Trinity 30

Close ballgame here in Jackson! DPU closed out the first half strong and Katie Matthews scored a jumper from the right baseline with 7 seconds left in the half to put DePauw up two possessions. Right before the end of the half, Alex Gassaway went down with an apparent ankle injury. Hopefully more details with be forthcoming.

At halftime, the SCAC announced its Women's Basketball all conference teams. Earning honors for the Old Gold were Sophomore Ellie Pearson (3rd Team), Junior Katie Aldrich (2nd Team) and Senior Katie Matthews (1st Team). Additionally, DePauw Coach Kris Huffman earned Co-Coach of the Year honors for the SCAC.


UPDATE:

Alex Gassaway's ankle injury is not serious, and she expects to play in the second half.

____________________________________________________________________________________

17:22

DePauw 39
Trinity 30

TIMEOUT TRINITY

DPU got the second half started just the way they finished it, and the Tigers are now on a 7-0 run. Their 9 point lead is the biggest for either team so far in the ballgame. Trinity is again getting in foul trouble as 2 players picked up their 3rd personals in the opening minutes of the second half.

____________________________________________________________________________________

12:48

DePauw 49
Trinity 36

DePauw looks firmly in command at this point. Trinity has scored only 6 points since halftime and has had no answer for DePauw on the defensive end. Alex Gassaway, who injured her ankle earlier, has returned to the DePauw lineup.

____________________________________________________________________________________


11:30

DePauw 49
Trinity 39

TIMEOUT DePauw

Trinity has had some success in the last few minutes drawing fouls on the dribble drive. Kris Huffman sees momentum being shifted and calls timeout. Trinity will be on the free throw line coming out of the timeout.

____________________________________________________________________________________

6:46

DePauw 63
Trinity 39

DePauw has blown the game open with a flurry of outside shots. Brook Osborne has featured heavily into the second half and DePauw is playing some of its basketball of the year.

Here's a link to the video highlights of the first half from WGRE.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Wlx8zHE9aA

____________________________________________________________________________________

3:33

DePauw 67
Trinity 46

DePauw is pulling away in the late stages. If the score holds, they will play Hendrix College in the SCAC finals tomorrow afternoon at 1 P.M. EST. Hendrix defeated Southwestern earlier today 77-67 to advance to the final. Tyler Archer and John Baxmeyer will have the call of the SCAC Championship Game on 91.5 WGRE and www.wgre.org

____________________________________________________________________________________

2:36

DePauw 70
Trinity 46

DePauw is giving its reserves a chance for some SCAC Tourney minutes. Leah Freestone, Maddie Radcliffe, and Kathleen Malloy all have checked in for the first time today.

____________________________________________________________________________________

FINAL

DePauw 73
Trinity 53

DePauw moves on to the SCAC Championship game. Hopefully you enjoyed this live blog, its a new feature we're experimenting with. We'll have another one up and running for the DePauw Men's Semi-Final game coming up at approx. 6 P.M. EST. Ryan Myrehn and Scott White will have the call from Jackson, MS. Thanks for tuning in, GO TIGERS!

Sunday, February 20, 2011

SCAC Tournament Brackets Released

Check out the 2011 Men's and Women's SCAC tournament brackets.  WGRE will be bringing you all the action with broadcasting every tournament game live from Jackson, Mississippi.  Tune into www.wgre.org for more information!!!

Women's Scheduled Games


Friday, February 25 - QUARTERFINAL ROUND
1:00 p.m.      Game 1:     #1W Hendrix College vs. #4E Oglethorpe University ------- TEAMLINE
3:00 p.m.      Game 2:     #2E Centre College vs. #3W Southwestern University-------
TEAMLINE
6:00 p.m.      Game 3:     #1E DePauw University vs. #4W Colorado College -------
WGRE.ORG
8:00 p.m.      Game 4:     #2W Trinity University vs. #3E Rhodes College-------
TEAMLINE

Saturday, February 26 - SEMIFINAL ROUND
1:00 p.m.      Game 5:     Semifinal #1 - Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2-------
WGRE.ORG
3:00 p.m.      Game 6:     Semifinal #2 - Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4-------
WGRE.ORG

Sunday, February 27 - CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
12:00 p.m.    Game 7:     Championship - Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6-------
WGRE.ORG      

Men's Scheduled Games
 
Friday, February 25 - QUARTERFINAL ROUND @ Belhaven University (Heidelberg Gymnasium) 
1:00 p.m.      Game 1:     #1W Trinity University vs. #4E Rhodes College -----
WGRE.ORG
3:00 p.m.      Game 2:     #2E DePauw University vs. #3W Austin College ------
WGRE.ORG
6:00 p.m.      Game 3:     #1E Centre College vs. #4W Hendrix College -------
TEAMLINE
8:00 p.m.      Game 4:     #2W Colorado College vs. #3E Oglethorpe Univesity -----
WGRE.ORG
Saturday, February 26 - SEMIFINAL ROUND
5:00 p.m.      Game 5:     Semifinal #1 - Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2 ------- WGRE.ORG
7:00 p.m.      Game 6:     Semifinal #2 - Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4 -------
WGRE.ORG

Sunday, February 27 - CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
2:30 p.m.    Game 7:       Championship - Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6 -------
WGRE.ORG

Reggie Miller Snubbed of HOF Induction?

I am going to preface this post with a disclaimer that I am a huge Reggie Miller fan, however, I will put that bias behind me and make a case for Reggie's dismissal from the ballot list of potential NBA Hall of Famers.  Miller was one of the best well known shooters the game has ever seen and until last week was the best 3 point shooter in NBA history (Ray Allen broke his career 3 point record against Lakers last week).  Reggie grew up defying all odds as he was born with a rare disease and doctors said he would never walk.  However at 6-7, 185 pounds, Reggie broke free of this and became an incredible NBA player for 18 seasons.  Granted his statistics aren't mind shattering, but are Chris Mullin's, Dennis Rodman's, or Ralph Sampson's? Lets please talk about Ralph Sampson before we ever get to the other two.  Sampson was one of the most highly touted players coming out of high school and college at Virginia University.  Granted he won the Naismith award three times for player of the year but at 7-4 you better dominate college ball.  However the NBA wasn't a very big bright spot for Sampson has he only had three seasons of productive basketball.  3!!!! Thats it...didn't win a championship...cant be credited alone for turning around a franchise (Hakeem was drafted the year after him)...and didn't play longer than 5 combined full seasons of basketball.  About a 14 ppg average throughout his career with only two playoff experiences to show for it and one memorable shot...I don't really remember on two hands how many memorable moments Reggie left behind.

Lets turn our heads now to Chris Mullin.  Love the guy, great attitude and smooth jumper.  He even played for the Pacers and was a key contributor to their run in the 2000 NBA Finals.  Lets look at what he did: No Conference championships with Warriors, only 2 Western Conference appearances, had alcoholism problems, run ins with Don Nelson, an 18 ppg career average, less 3PFG% than Reggie, and missed most of the games for five seasons due to injury problems.  Mullin was known as part of the run TMC group with Webber, and Tim Hardaway.  Never was Mullin the true face of the Warrior team.  Unlike Miller who turned around the Pacer franchise single handedly at the beginning of the 1990's...just sayin

Ok, now my big bone to pick...Dennis Rodman...can you argue with his 5 NBA Championships? Probably not...especially when he was with the Pistons who didn't quite have the firepower that the Jordan Bulls did.  Granted he might be the best rebounder in NBA history but in my opinion the HOF is a lot more than just stats.  Rodman of course had is run-ins with the law, women, and NBA commissioner David Stern.  He was a bad example for the NBA and would not be successful without Isiah Thomas, Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and David Robinson playing alongside him giving him a chance to get 17 boards a game.  Its a bit quick to be considering a guy who had 5 good seasons, and 2 mediocre for a HOF position.

Now lets look at what Reggie has done.  The biggest thing holding him back from the Hall of course is the goose egg at NBA titles.  There is no one else I wish in the league had a ring than Regg.  He revitalized a failing franchise in a Midwest city that was crazy about Steve Alford...look how he panned out.  Reggie carried the Pacers to the next level and became a staple around the league for his on-court antics and trash talking.  He brought the NBA a heated rivalry and made the Knicks and Pacers match something special.  Were his 18 ppg and 39% career 3 Point mark mind blowing?  No, but they are great career numbers for a kid that was never supposed to walk again, for a player that for most of his career carried the team on his back, for a player that performed best in crunch time and in the playoffs, and for a player that had the opposing teams best defender on him every night of the week.  Reggie carried the Pacers to 6 Eastern conference appearances, granted never winning the 2000 Finals, but at least giving hope to the basketball state of America.  He gave a lot to the game...maybe the most memorable 8 points in NBA history against the Knicks in 1994.  The Jordan push-off in the 1998 Eastern Conference Finals.  And the greatest "choke" sign to Spike Lee, giving Reggie the trash talking champion title.  He gave 18 seasons fighting off severe eye surgery, countless knee problems, and divorce issues that never sidelined him more than it needed.  Does Reggie belong in the HOF? Maybe not, but he deserves a chance to be in it at least.  He's got the game to back up the talk, and needs to be recognized for revitalizing a dying franchise.  Lets make a push for 2012 now, Regg.