and Mikonowicz adds a three

61-57 UT, under 3 minutes.

Akron pressing hard, and giving the Rockets trouble.

Still 61-57, refs reviewing who touched the ball last, clearly should be UT ball. 1:40 left.

Wiard gets mugged down the lane, no call, but she drains the runner.

63-57 Timeout Akron.

Rockets finishing the game strong, although Wiard not making her FTs.

65-57 with under 30 seconds.

65-57 UT final.

Another crazy game, in what will likely be a crazy season. Akron not a great team by any means, but they hung in with Buffalo and Ball State, and beat Dayton. But, if you had told me before the game that Lockett would go 0-8 from the field, and Wiard would only play 20 minutes, I would not have expected a win, let alone a close game.

Morgan-Elliott really stepped up - again - and provided all the 1st half scoring. Goss did not look like a freshman today, and played well on both ends of the floor. Idowu provided some big minutes, and Davis made some good contributions, and stayed under control this game.

I did not see Bolser on the bench. The game notes had her listed as injured for the last two games, so wonder what is going on with her.

This is the kind of game we would have lost last season, IMO.

Wiard had 16 points, 5 boards and 1 assist in only 20 minutes.
Morgan-Elliott, 14 points (career high I think) 4 boards 3 assists and 2 steals
Goss 12 points 3 boards 1 assist and 1 steal
Mikonowicz 8 points 8 boards 6 assists and 2 steals
Idowu 5 points 3 boards and 1 assist
Davis 4 points and 1 rebound
Lockett 3 points, 7 boards 4 assists and 2 steals
Curry 2 points
Johnson 1 point

Three point shots down the stretch were huge - two by Wiard and one by Sammi and then the steal by Q was icing

(01-02-2021 04:07 PM)bcunn3128 Wrote:  This is the kind of game we would have lost last season, IMO.

Agree. Did you have a sense this team of Rockets would pull this one out?

(01-02-2021 04:03 PM)northcoastRocket Wrote:  Another crazy game, in what will likely be a crazy season. Akron not a great team by any means, but they hung in with Buffalo and Ball State, and beat Dayton. But, if you had told me before the game that Lockett would go 0-8 from the field, and Wiard would only play 20 minutes, I would not have expected a win, let alone a close game.

Morgan-Elliott really stepped up - again - and provided all the 1st half scoring. Goss did not look like a freshman today, and played well on both ends of the floor. Idowu provided some big minutes, and Davis made some good contributions, and stayed under control this game.

I did not see Bolser on the bench. The game notes had her listed as injured for the last two games, so wonder what is going on with her.

I agree that Morgan-Elliiott, Goss and Idowu were key contributors but would add Mikonowicz who contributes in so many important ways. On the downer Lockett was 0-8 offensively and rockets will struggle big time if she has many of those days. I would call Davis (1/5 shooting) and Johnson as not strong off the bench. But, largely on Wiard taking the team on her back and a late steal from Lockett they pulled out a game they should have won. So go rockets! Next two games will be a challenge.

(01-02-2021 04:14 PM)NewMex RocketFan Wrote:  

(01-02-2021 04:07 PM)bcunn3128 Wrote:  This is the kind of game we would have lost last season, IMO.

Agree. Did you have a sense this team of Rockets would pull this one out?

Wasn’t sure, but that’s been the fun wrinkle this season!

(01-02-2021 04:20 PM)kazoorocket43 Wrote:  

(01-02-2021 04:03 PM)northcoastRocket Wrote:  Another crazy game, in what will likely be a crazy season. Akron not a great team by any means, but they hung in with Buffalo and Ball State, and beat Dayton. But, if you had told me before the game that Lockett would go 0-8 from the field, and Wiard would only play 20 minutes, I would not have expected a win, let alone a close game.

Morgan-Elliott really stepped up - again - and provided all the 1st half scoring. Goss did not look like a freshman today, and played well on both ends of the floor. Idowu provided some big minutes, and Davis made some good contributions, and stayed under control this game.

I did not see Bolser on the bench. The game notes had her listed as injured for the last two games, so wonder what is going on with her.

I agree that Morgan-Elliiott, Goss and Idowu were key contributors but would add Mikonowicz who contributes in so many important ways. On the downer Lockett was 0-8 offensively and rockets will struggle big time if she has many of those days. I would call Davis (1/5 shooting) and Johnson as not strong off the bench. But, largely on Wiard taking the team on her back and a late steal from Lockett they pulled out a game they should have won. So go rockets! Next two games will be a challenge.

Yes Mikonowicz also played well. I guess, after the 1st 6 games, I have already grown to expect that she will be a major contributor every game, and was just pointing out those that stepped up to fill in for Q and Wiard. Davis didn't shoot well, but was a calming presence today with Wiard out and played some good defense. I thought she had a big block near the end of the game, but didn't get credit for one.

(01-02-2021 04:37 PM)northcoastRocket Wrote:  

(01-02-2021 04:20 PM)kazoorocket43 Wrote:  

(01-02-2021 04:03 PM)northcoastRocket Wrote:  Another crazy game, in what will likely be a crazy season. Akron not a great team by any means, but they hung in with Buffalo and Ball State, and beat Dayton. But, if you had told me before the game that Lockett would go 0-8 from the field, and Wiard would only play 20 minutes, I would not have expected a win, let alone a close game.

Morgan-Elliott really stepped up - again - and provided all the 1st half scoring. Goss did not look like a freshman today, and played well on both ends of the floor. Idowu provided some big minutes, and Davis made some good contributions, and stayed under control this game.

I did not see Bolser on the bench. The game notes had her listed as injured for the last two games, so wonder what is going on with her.

I agree that Morgan-Elliiott, Goss and Idowu were key contributors but would add Mikonowicz who contributes in so many important ways. On the downer Lockett was 0-8 offensively and rockets will struggle big time if she has many of those days. I would call Davis (1/5 shooting) and Johnson as not strong off the bench. But, largely on Wiard taking the team on her back and a late steal from Lockett they pulled out a game they should have won. So go rockets! Next two games will be a challenge.

Yes Mikonowicz also played well. I guess, after the 1st 6 games, I have already grown to expect that she will be a major contributor every game, and was just pointing out those that stepped up to fill in for Q and Wiard. Davis didn't shoot well, but was a calming presence today with Wiard out and played some good defense. I thought she had a big block near the end of the game, but didn't get credit for one.

I know we are already getting used to Mikonowicz's excellent all around game. And I am increasingly impressed with the all around game of our other starting freshman Goss. She also does a lot of good things on offense and defense.

This team has been a very pleasant surprise - to me, at least, as I wasn't expecting much. Two consecutive strong recruiting classes. I can't believe we managed to stay even in the first half with Wiard sitting and Lockett playing as badly as she did.

(01-02-2021 04:29 PM)bcunn3128 Wrote:  

(01-02-2021 04:14 PM)NewMex RocketFan Wrote:  

(01-02-2021 04:07 PM)bcunn3128 Wrote:  This is the kind of game we would have lost last season, IMO.

Agree. Did you have a sense this team of Rockets would pull this one out?

Wasn’t sure, but that’s been the fun wrinkle this season!

This was an unusual game with top scorers held in check, one for the game the other for more than a half. Still scoring came from unexpected players. MME is getting better nearly every game. The 3-pointer has been a steady offense weapon for the Rockets. They hit huge triples down the stretch which broke open the score.

This ladies team is starting to gel nicely... Very scrappy and a fun bunch to watch...