New-look Jackets cut down by nearly perfect T-Wolves

By: Jonathan Snyder

The Northwood Timberwolves’ accurate passes and backdoor cuts carved up the Lady Jackets in a 92-74 loss for Cedarville.

The Lady Jackets sported an all-pink uniform in honor of the Play4Kay initiative, designed to increase financial support for women’s cancer research. The Lady Jackets also rolled out a new starting lineup, as Makenna Fee and Taylor Strock were both unavailable.

Abby Freeman and Leah Butterbaugh started instead and gave the Lady Jackets solid minutes, with Freeman picking up 18 points and Butterbaugh grabbing eight rebounds.

However, the Timberwolves were near unstoppable throughout the first half, shooting over 50% from beyond the arc. This culminated in a 20-point deficit for the Lady Jackets by halftime. 

Transition defense also proved to be an Achilles heel for the Lady Jackets, as multiple outlet passes flew over their heads. 

“Teams come in this building and decide they are gonna shoot lights out, especially in the first half against us,” said Lady Jacket Head Coach Jason Smith. Smith also lamented the lack of depth the squad had, with Lydia Sweeney playing through an injury sustained late in the first half.

Despite the sputtering start, the Lady Jackets would furiously rally back from 25 points down in the third quarter to make it a 9-point game, but in the fourth Northwood’s precise passing and blistering movement proved too much to handle.

Smith was proud of his team about the rally from that huge deficit, shouting out Freeman and Anne Wheeler. Kat Weakley also impressed tonight, scoring a season-high 24 points in the effort.

“Just the injuries we’ve been battling… we’re down players and we’re down size… I’m proud of our girls for fighting through a lot of adversity,” said Smith.

This loss leaves the Lady Jackets with a mountain to climb to reach the GMAC tournament, and with games against Tiffin and Ursuline coming up the Lady Jackets will need their best basketball in order to squeak into the postseason.

*Photography by Roberto Moran