It seems Carolyn Dorsey has found the secret to playing well in the second half.
And that is playing very poorly in the first half.
“I’m really hoping that’s not the case,” the ESU guard said. “I’ve got to step up to that in the first half and start contributing a lot more.”
Though it’s a pattern she doesn’t hope to keep, it’s one the Lady Hornets have benefitted from in consecutive games, including Friday’s 81-56 season-opening victory in the Candlewood Suites/Mix 104.9 Classic.
After making just 1 of 5 shots in the first 20 minutes, the senior sparked ESU after becoming determined to make up for a poor start.
She made 5 of 7 attempts in the second half and also went to the boards, finishing the game with 13 points and nine rebounds.
While it was teammate Casey Henningsen’s talk that turned Dorsey around in the exhibition against Tabor, it was ESU coach Brandon Schneider who spoke to her at halftime of the Cameron game.
After pressing some in the first half, the coach told her to go back to doing what she did best and give the team energy when she entered the game.
“She’s a player that has developed some new skills, but she needs to remember what made her who she is,” Schneider said. “She’s a hustle-daddy, dive-on-the-floor, take-a-charge (player). That’s why she’s in the program.”
Dorsey showed those skills in the second half. Following a drive for a layup, the senior beat Cameron down the floor on the ensuing offensive possession, receiving a pass from Andrea Leiker for an easy score. The bucket capped an 8-0 ESU run that made it 64-46 and forced a Cameron timeout with just over seven minutes remaining.
“I think we outran them,” Dorsey said. “They got fatigued. It started to open up there, especially late in the second half.”
For much of the first half it was the dogfight the Lady Hornets expected.
After struggling with Cameron in an 84-65 victory last season, ESU had many of the same difficulties in the first 20 minutes.
A driving shot from Taylor Campbell cut the Lady Hornet advantage to 26-19 before Michelle Stueve gave ESU some breathing room. She drained a 3-pointer from the right side, then followed that 15 seconds later with a three from the right corner to extend the lead to 13.
“You always get a little more confidence after you hit the first shot,” Stueve said. “When we were pushing the ball more and moving it, I thought it was a good time to take it.”
Again Cameron battled back, with Stephanie Plante’s jumper trimming the ESU lead to 40-31 at halftime.
“It didn’t really feel like we were ahead,” Stueve said. “With most of the teams we play, nine points isn’t much.”
Part of the reason for the Lady Hornets’ struggles were difficulties getting defensive rebounds.
Cameron finished with 20 offensive rebounds and also outrebounded ESU 49-46.
“It’s not something we’re very happy with,” ESU forward Casey Henningsen said. “It’s definitely a goal we talk about a lot — everyday in practice. They were really active and good athletes, and they beat us to the boards a bunch of times and got way too many offensive boards on us.”
Stueve led ESU with 19 points — with 13 of those coming in the first half.
Cassondra Boston added 12, while Andrea Leiker and Henningsen both hit double figures with 10.
ESU will play again today in the Classic, taking on Southwestern Oklahoma at 7:30 p.m. Washburn plays Cameron at 5:30, and there will also be a jersey retirement ceremony for four former Lady Hornets between the two contests. Aneta Kausaite, Jurgita Kausaite, Tara Holloway and Emily Bloss will all be honored prior to ESU’s tipoff, with Holloway and Bloss scheduled to attend.
Washburn 81, SW
Oklahoma 40
Washburn opened the Candlewood Suites/Mix 104.9 Classic with a 41-point blowout victory over Southwestern Oklahoma.
The Lady Blues took a 46-24 lead into halftime before picking up the defense, allowing just 16 Blue Tiger points in the second half.
Southwestern Oklahoma committed 28 turnovers compared to Washburn’s eight.
Senior guard Cindy Keeley led WU with 15 points.
Brooke Ubelaker set the team record for 3-pointers with her first three of the night. She finished with four treys, giving her 128 for her career.
Wu’s Corky Stiger added 13 points.