(01-13-2018 04:50 PM)temoxley Wrote:  

(01-13-2018 04:27 PM)bcunn3128 Wrote:  

(01-13-2018 04:07 PM)NewMex RocketFan Wrote:  Clutch playing at crunch time. NIU had a good play with 1.5 seconds left but missed the three. Both teams played well.
NIU has, I believe, four players out with injuries. Rematch on Feb. 28 should be a dandy.

I was feeling pretty darn good about this win until you said NIU may have had 4 players out. Now i’m Thinking we were just flat-out lucky today to scrape out a win in the final minute?

NI had two starters out and they contribute 20 points/game. IMO this should have been a little easier. I don't agree that both teams played well. I saw a game where both teams struggled. Rockets saved by reducing turnovers in the second half and a NI team which was not shooting well. What I don't get is ... 40 seconds left and UT with the ball and a 1 point lead. Why would you want St Fort taking the crucial shot which could all but put the game away? Why would she even be in the game? I would think you would want your best 5 offensive players in at that point so that a St Fort isn't left with the ball and 2 seconds to shoot. This group of players have been essentially together for 1.5 seasons, more than 50 games. Seems to me they should be able to execute at the end of game so that, even if they don't make the shot, they have someone with the possibility to make the shot with the ball in their hands. Northern Illinois had no problem with 1.5 seconds remaining getting the ball to their 20 pt/game player for the final shot.

NIU has lost four players for the season. Rockets last offensive set fell apart and St. Fort needed to get the shot off in a bit of desperation. NIU defense did a good job of disrupting UT's offense on that possession Rockets end of game defense came up big on NIU last few possessions. Lucky that NIU missed the last three point attempt. Both teams defenses were better than their offenses for most of the game. Driving into a group of defenders leading to turnovers still a problem. JayAnn hit some huge triples. That, and Boyd's stellar performance (again) were the difference down the stretch along with Santucci's foul shooting.