Renberg’s 26 points help ESU women blast Central Methodist
Mary Ann Redeker
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Allie Renberg came off the bench for Emporia State and had one goal in mind against Central Methodist on Friday afternoon at White Auditorium: Get a win.
The No. 14 Lady Hornets achieved their goal and then some, defeating the Eagles 111-51, the most points scored for ESU since the Lady Hornets scored 113 against Vest Virginia Tech in 2005. “Our whole team’s goal was to just be hungry and get a win,” Renberg said. “We are sick of losing. Our coach wants to get us to ‘want’ to win. I think everybody on the team was feeling that and thinking that.”
The junior forward made her presence known for ESU, scoring back-to-back layups before the first media timeout and two more right after.
Junior guard Andrea Leiker said the Hornets wanted to come out strong and establish their presence in the game early and often.
“We put a couple new things in our game that really helped us,” Leiker said. “Success against their zone came from us being hungry and just wanting to win. I think we all played our roles tonight and that helps a lot when everybody does what they’re supposed to do.
“So even if teams do play zone against us, we showed tonight we can overcome that and play well. I am proud of my teammates’ efforts.”
The Lady Hornets (5-2) dominated the Eagles (3-8) down low, outscoring them 48-28 in the paint. ESU scored 30 points off turnovers and had the transition game working as well, outscoring CMC 20-4 in fast-break points.
But perhaps the biggest domination came from the defensive efforts of the Lady Hornets on the Eagles’ two leading scorers.
Senior forward Holly Wade came into the game leading CMC, averaging 18.4 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. She was held scoreless until early in the second half and finished the game with just two points and no rebounds.
Sophomore forward Danielle Boraz also was held below her average of 17.8 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, finishing with 12 points and five rebounds.
ESU coach Brandon Schneider said the Lady Hornets played with more energy and played better fundamentally.
“Andrea Leiker and Becky Zabel (junior forward) did a good job of initiating good pressure on the basketball,” Schneider said. “When you can start your defense with the kind of energy they did, I think it carries over to the people who are playing behind them.”
Renberg led five ESU players in double figures with 26 points, 12 rebounds and two blocked shots.
“We were really working hard on our defense, fronting the post,” Renberg said. “But we played like we know how to play. We haven’t been playing lately like we know how to play. We just came out ready and wanted to win, simple as that.”
Schneider said Renberg makes a lot of plays for the Lady Hornets because of the energy she brings.
“Allie has a good nose for the ball,” he said. “She’s finishing plays with the efficiency we expect our post kids to do. She’s playing consistently and that’s the thing we really look for. We gave her the opportunity to start, but she likes what she’s doing, coming off the bench. I think that says a lot about her willingness to do what’s best for the team.”
All-American senior forward Michelle Stueve tossed in 24 points and eight rebounds and hit four 3-pointers.
Freshman forward Alli Volkens added 17 points and seven boards, Leiker finished with 15 points and five assists and freshman guard Bree Kisner had 10 points and seven assists.
“Something we asked our players to do this game was to not let Michelle play harder than they do,” Schneider said. “We didn’t want them to let it be obvious that Michelle plays harder than everybody on the team. We want that to be a debate, not a definitive answer.”
The Lady Hornets were a perfect 23-of-23 from the free-throw line, breaking an MIAA record previously held by Washburn, which hit 22 of 22 free throws against Seattle Pacific in 1997.
“I was sitting on the bench and somebody made a free throw for us, and I didn’t think that we had missed any all game,” Leiker said. “We work on free throws a lot in practice, and that’s going to count a lot in big games. I think we did an awesome job hitting those, and everything else just seemed to be going our way.”
ESU lost freshman forward Brittney Miller in the early minutes of the game when she was fouled on a drive to the basket. Miller played just four minutes and didn’t return.
“It’s a knee injury,” Schneider said. “She probably won’t be available for Hawaii, and we’ll have it looked at when we get back.”
The Lady Hornets headed to Kansas City early this morning to board a plane for Hawaii, where they will compete in the Hoop ’n’ Surf Classic. ESU will face No. 23 Shaw on Monday and Oklahoma Panhandle State on Tuesday.
Schneider said the Lady Hornets expected tough competition from Shaw.
“They’re really athletic and have good size, not only on the interior but on the perimeter,” he said. “Their wing players are big and long and they play a very active 2-3 zone. We saw some 2-3 zone from Central Methodist, and I think we did much better against it than we did in previous games. But talent-wise, Shaw is on a whole other level than anybody we’ve played to this point this season, so we will need to be ready.”