Guard McKenna Dubois watches her shot as her teammates anticipate a celebration. St. Thomas topped Chapman by 30 points in Friday night’s playoff game 81-51. (Davis Narey/TommieMedia)
Guard Lucia Renikoff takes the ball to the hoop. Renikoff went for a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds in Friday night’s playoff game against Chapman. (Davis Narey/TommieMedia)
Guard Maddie Wolkow advances the ball through a full court press put on by Chapman. St. Thomas shot 50% from the field while Chapman shot just 30%. (Davis Narey/TommieMedia)
Center Elsa Anderson posts up a defender for the shot in the paint. Anderson had 6 points in 15 minutes Friday night in the playoff game against Chapman. (Davis Narey/TommieMedia)
Guard Maddie Wolkow decides for her next move. Wolkow went for 11 points, 4 assists and 8 rebounds Friday night in the playoff game against Chapman. (Davis Narey/TommieMedia)
Forward Kaia Porter drives the ball into the land. Porter went for 10 points Friday night in the playoff game against Chapman. (Davis Narey/TommieMedia)
Center Hannah Spaulding falls with a couple Chapman players in a fight for the ball. Spaulding had 10 points Friday night in the playoff game against Chapman. (Davis Narey/TommieMedia)
Forward Lauren Fischer looks to get the ball into the paint. Fischer lead the team in scoring with 12 points in Friday night’s playoff game against Chapman. (Davis Narey/TommieMedia)
The St. Thomas women’s basketball team defeated Chapman University 81-51 March 2 at Schoenecker Arena to kick off its NCAA tournament run.
The Tommies’ (26-2 overall) offense displayed a balanced scoring attack, featuring six double-digit scorers in their decisive victory. The Panthers, (23-6 overall) well-known for their press defense, had difficulty finding an answer.
“We prepared all week for their press and we knew it was going to be pretty hectic,” guard Kaylie Brazil said. “The key was staying poised.”
As the Tommies’ primary ball-handler, Brazil made a concerted effort to slow down the game’s pace and protect the ball at all costs. She finished the game with zero turnovers.
Coach Ruth Sinn was impressed with her team’s ball security.
“They turn opponents over 24 times (a game) on average, and we only turned the ball over eight times,” Sinn said.
The hallmark of Chapman’s game plan is to create panic in its opposition’s backcourt. Sinn emphasized to her team the importance of a calm demeanor.
“We were very deliberate with the basketball. We understood Chapman was going to double team and trap,” Sinn said. “Usually what they do is speed people up, and I told the girls, ‘You can’t let them.’”
The Tommies got off to a hot start, opening the game on a 9-2 run. St. Thomas expanded its lead with a 16-4 scoring run in the early portion of the second quarter and never looked back.
The Tommies utilized their notable size advantage throughout the game, working the ball into the post consistently.
“We changed up who was posting up throughout the game based on who had a size advantage,” forward Lauren Fischer said. “Hannah (Spaulding) probably had five or six inches on the (Chapman) girls. That always helps.”
Fischer ended the game with a team-high 12 points, and Spaulding was close behind with 10. St. Thomas maintained a comfortable double-digit lead the entire second half of play, yet never relented in its intensity.
St. Thomas will take on the University of Chicago at 7 p.m. March 3 in Schoenecker Arena for their second round matchup. The two teams squared off in the second round last season. The Tommies won 73-69.
Kyle Manderfeld can be contacted at mand4052@stthomas.edu.