Box Score
Video Interview with Coach Kenesie
The UW-Parkside women's basketball team extended its home winning streak to 22 games with arguably the most impressive victory of the span. The 18th-ranked Rangers knocked off Grand Valley State, 73-60 in a key regional game on Saturday afternoon.
Jadee Rooney scored 25 points, all in the second half, to lead Parkside to a 4-1 start on the early season. Grand Valley State drops to 1-2.
“We knew coming into today we were playing a good basketball team,” said head coach Jenny Knight-Kenesie. “When you're playing against a team that can do just about everything you've just to have the pride to get stops and I think our kids did that.”
The match-up of two of the best teams in the Midwest Region lived up to its billing as neither team could gain separation throughout the contest. Neither team led by more than six until the final minute when the Rangers pulled away at the free throw line. The game featured nine lead changes and ten ties, the last being with 2:44 and the score knotted at 55 setting the stage for an exciting finish.
Brittany Beyer gave the Rangers lead with two free throws on the next possession before Rooney knocked down a baseline jumper to make it 59-55 with 1:54 to go.
Beyer came up with one of the game's biggest defensive plays on the next trip down as she absorbed an offensive foul in the post to regain possession for Parkside.
After the teams trade turnovers Rooney attacked the Laker press with a hard drive to the rim to give the Rangers a six-point lead. Two GVSU free throws followed but again, the Rangers beat the pressure and
Danielle Slivka found Beyer for a lay-up and a 63-57 lead with a minute left.
Grand Valley State was able to get no closer than five the rest of the way as the Rooney and
Kaitlyn Bettiga combined to go 10-for-10 at the line in the final 48 seconds.
“We can make plays when we get after it,” said Knight-Kenesie. “We talked about coming in and playing as one. It was about the team today ... getting after it and having that team pride in general. Today our kids did that.”
The victory avenged a double digit defeat last November for the Rangers in Allendale, Mich. Both teams reached the NCAA Tournament a year ago and are each expected to contend for a berth again.
Three other Rangers joined Rooney in double figures in the contest. Beyer finished with 19,
Amy Selk had 13 points and seven rebounds, and Bettiga had 11 points and four assists. Rooney filled out the rest of her line nicely with six rebounds, five assists, two steals, and zero turnovers.
“I'm really proud of (Jadee) today,” said Knight-Kenesie. “She stayed really focused and stayed positive. She never put her head down when things weren't going her way. She did a great job creating and making some plays.”
Kellie Watson came off the bench to lead the Lakers with 16 points and four rebounds. Brittany Taylor added 15 points and four boards of her own.
Parkside won the statistical battle out-rebounding the Lakers 36-26 and claiming the turnover column committing just eight while forcing 15. The Rangers shot 58.3% in the second half (47.1% for the game).
The Rangers will wrap up their holiday weekend on Sunday as they host Upper Iowa University. Game time at the DeSimone Gymnasium is set for 1:00 p.m.
