Bluejay women slip into KCAC tie

Written by Janae Rempel Tuesday, 12 February 2013 12:02

Katlyn Mary scores off a steal in Tabor’s 61-55 win over Saint Mary. Mary scored the Bluejays’ first 10 points. Forced to find a different game after leading-scorer Janelle Rust’s season-ending knee injury at Ottawa, the Tabor women took steps in the right direction Saturday with a home-court, 61-55, win over Saint Mary.

“We’re playing a different kind of system and doing some different things because of Janelle’s injury, and so we’re just trying to work through that, but there was progress, and unfortunately, we don’t have time to make slow progress,” coach Shawn Reed said.

One area in which the Blue­jays showed improvement was better execution on offense.

“We still missed some shots that we could hit, but offensively we took a step forward,” Reed said. “The first half was better than the last game, and the second half...

Read more: Bluejay women slip into KCAC tie

TC men knock off conference leader

Written by Janae Rempel Tuesday, 12 February 2013 12:00

Ryan Chippeaux scores early in Tabor’s 77-75 win over Saint Mary. Chippeaux led all scorers with 18 points. The Tabor men survived another down-to-the-wire finish, defeating KCAC-leading Spires of Saint Mary, 77-75, Saturday on senior night.

The win locked Tabor in a three-way tie for second place in the conference with Sterling and Friends, each holding 12-4 records in the KCAC.

Once again, the Bluejays struggled out of the gate. The Spires burst to a 6-0 lead before Nick Sauer made it 6-3 with a three-point basket at 17:25.

“Once we hit that first bucket, I thought the ball movement was awesome,” coach Micah Ratzlaff said. “The ball was flying around from side to side and guys were being aggressive with it. We got really good looks, and then guys made some shots.”

The Bluejays showed improved focus on offense.

“I’ve been...

Read more: TC men knock off conference leader

Bluejays oust Ottawa by 2 in overtime

Written by Janae Rempel Tuesday, 05 February 2013 14:42

Robbie Samuel shoots over the Brave defender for a 45-41 Bluejay lead in the second half of Saturday’s game at Ottawa. Samuel led Tabor with 15 total points in the Bluejays’ 77-75 overtime victory. After letting a 13-point lead slip away in the last six minutes of Satur­day’s contest at Ottawa, the Bluejays prevailed in overtime, 77-75.

The win improved Tabor’s record in the KCAC to 10-4 and the season record to 11-12.

“I thought effort was really good on the road,” coach Micah Ratzlaff said. “I thought we showed up, we wanted to play.”

Tabor’s Nick Sauer scored the first five points of the game, but the game remained close. Three three-pointers in less than two minutes helped Ottawa to a 28-24 lead 3:00 left in the half.

Marc Hopkinson answered with a three-point basket, but Ottawa scored the final bucket for a 29-27 Brave advantage at the break.

“Both teams guarded hard in the first half—kind of messy...

Read more: Bluejays oust Ottawa by 2 in overtime

TC wins two, remains atop KCAC

Written by Janae Rempel Tuesday, 05 February 2013 14:41

Nikki Lewis gives Tabor a narrow 4-2 lead with a basket early in Saturday’s game at Ottawa. The Bluejays lost leading scorer, Janelle Rust, to injury in the first half, but battled for an eventual 57-55 victory. Lewis led all scorers with 23 points. The Tabor women persevered for a 57-55 win at Ottawa Satur­day, despite losing their leading scorer, Janelle Rust, to injury eight minutes into the game.

With the win, Tabor, ranked 25 in the latest NAIA Division II poll, remained atop the KCAC with a 13-1 record and improved to 17-7 overall.

With the Bluejays leading 13-6 in the first half, Nikki Lewis stole the ball and passed ahead to Rust, who went up for the shot but injured her knee on the play.

Coach Shawn Reed said later the extent of the injury had not yet been determined.

Hannah Paust and Loren Oliver responded with back-to-back baskets for a 17-8 lead at 9:25, Tabor’s largest of the night. But the Braves rallied to tie the game at 18 with 6:22 left in the half, then...

Read more: TC wins two, remains atop KCAC