PUC Chronicle

Issue date: 12/4/06 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Jeremy Homan The PUC women's basketball team listens to Head Coach Dennis Smith during a timeout in the last minutes of the game.

The Lady Peregrines hoped to break free from their five game losing streak last Wednesday night when they hosted the Judson College Eagles. The ladies aim came through and they defeated the Lady Eagles 44-43.
PUC stepped onto the court strong with quick, crisp passes. Senior center Jessica Hamman scored the first basket and pulled a foul to start the Lady Peregrines seven point scoring run. PUC held Judson College scoreless until almost five minutes into the half.
During the first half the Lady Peregrines played aggressively, attacking dead balls and hitting the ground for everything loose. A good PUC defense forced the Lady Eagles to make bad passes and brick shots, while the PUC offense was able to penetrate the lane and follow through with plays.
Midway through the half the Lady Peregrines extended their lead to 10; however with a quick turnabout Judson College began to close the point gap.
The Lady Eagles got continuous steals and PUC began to lose focus. Although the Lady Peregrines found it hard to get past Judson College's back court press, good defense kept PUC in the lead.
As the buzzer ended the half PUC lead by seven; giving up 23 points to the Lady Eagles.
"We did a heck of a job defensively," said Head Coach Dennis Smith.
The second half emerged as clearly anybody's game.
Judson College came out full of energy and forced multiple turnovers from the Lady Peregrines. Both teams crashed the boards and fought for the rebound and the Lady Eagles gradually crept within three points of PUC.
Although in the bonus and getting sent to the line, the Lady Peregrines were having trouble sinking their shots. With four minutes remaining PUC led 43-39.
As the clock wound down, the pace quickened and the crowd sat at the edge of their seats. A defensive foul was called on the Lady Peregrines and freshman forward Alicia Rovertoni downed both from the line for the Lady Eagles.
The ball changed possession multiple times without leaving the Lady Eagle's court. After a missed shot by Judson College and two missed free throws by PUC, the buzzer sounded and PUC took the win, 44-43.
"We know how to make an easy game hard," said Smith. "But I'm proud of the girls for not giving up. When you're having a losing streak it's easy to get discouraged."

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