WVIAC Player of the Year Rachel Redick (22)
makes a turn at the foul line to drive up the
lane. She led all scorers with 31 points
(Photos by Drew Moody)
Rachel Redick carried Glenville State College's Lady Pioneers (29-2)
offensively, scoring 31 points during the 72-62 semi-final victory
over Concord University.
West Liberty State easily defeated the University of Charleston
76-58 in the earlier Friday pairing.
The Lady Pioneers met West Liberty only once during regular
season play, defeating them by 29 points, 77-48.
By the numbers, it looks like Glenville should have no problem,
right? Well...not so fast.
Casey Taylor (32) goes up for two in
the lane. Taylor was the only other
Lady Pioneer in double figures Friday night
The Lady Pioneers didn't play their typical "balanced" offensive
game, Friday. Casey Taylor was the only other Lady Pioneer in
double figures, scoring 13.
By comparison, Concord had four players in double-figures,
despite shooting a horrid game average 30.6 percent from the floor.
Concord's bench out-scored the Lady Pioneers 16-9, and led in
fast break points 5-3, second chance points 8-7, points off
turnovers 20-17, and points in the paint 20-18.
Concord also had three shooters who tallied 100-percent accuracy
from the charity line; Glenville had none.
So all-in-all, for a team that ended the season ranked first in
the East Region Division II standings, and second in the nation,
playing against an "unranked" team...the Lady Pioneers had
an off night.
With Redick's blistering scoring Glenville had built up a 19-point lead with just over 12 minutes left to play. It looked like just another 30-point barn-burner Glenville's fans are now so used to seeing.
However, key player Casey Taylor was in foul trouble and not long
afterward was whistled for foul number four and benched.
The Lady Pioneers failed to adjust for Taylor's absence, who only
returned briefly to the game before fouling out.
Concord capitalized on the opportunity looking reinvigorated.
Over the course of the next nine minutes outscored the Lady
Pioneers 18-7, closing the gap to an eight point deficit with 3:10
remaining.
Glenville's fans are accustomed to seeing a squad where anyone
can step up and literally carry the team. Such flexibility was absent
Friday night.
Lauren Strong finished the night with eight points, four assists and
two steals. Christy Alltop had eight. Melanie Oliver was held to six points and seven rebounds.
In addition to her 31 points, Redick finished the night with four steals, two assists and seven rebounds. Karina Kendrick led Lady Pioneer rebounding efforts with nine.
(L) Karina Kendrick (20) ruled the boards Friday night
leading the Lady Pioneers in rebounds with nine
(R) Kayla Boggs, a Glenville State College
cheerleader, encourages the team on Friday night
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