HCC women struggle in loss

February 01, 2004|by BILL STERNER / Staff Correspondent

When all the numbers were in Saturday, there were only four that mattered to Hagerstown Community College women's basketball coach Marlys Palmer in the aftermath of her team's 49-45 loss to rival Allegany at the HCC athletic complex - 21, 59, 13 and 70.

21 - The Hawks shot a frigid 21 percent from the floor, allowing the Trojans to control the lead throughout the second half, even though HCC stayed within a handful of points.
59 - A season-low 12 of 21 performance (59 percent) from the foul line.
13 - The percentage the Hawks managed from 3-point range.
70 - The points-per-game average HCC had until being held to their season low 45 by a combination of missed opportunities, turnovers and tenacious defense by the Trojans.

"Yes, that definitely sums up our performance tonight," Palmer said. "I'll tell you it is frustrating to go from a team that just a week ago averaged 85 points a game and 40 percent (shooting) from the floor to what happened to us tonight."

Hagerstown (12-9, 6-5) scored 85 points against nationally ranked Potomac State and shot 80 percent from the foul line. But on this night, HCC took on a completely new identity.

Allegany (5-7, 2-2) consistently played back into the low-scoring affair in the first half behind the transition game of guard India Johnson, who ended the game with 11 points and kept the Hawks on their heels at both ends.

"Both teams played good defense," Allegany coach Steve Bazarnic said. "We haven't played in nine days, so I guess that affected our shooting."

But Palmer didn't agree.

"I don't think that affected us," Palmer said. "This team can shoot the ball and shoot it well, but they will have to regain that confidence."

"Defense may win champiuonships," Palmer said, "but you have to shoot to win games."

Dee Brown had a game-high 12 points for HCC, while Romero had 11 rebounds.

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