Marquette University Athletics
Marquette University
Toledo (WNIT Round of 32)
Women's Basketball Wins in First Round of WNIT
3/20/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
March 20, 2003
TOLEDO, Ohio - Marquette made a late second half run to pull away from Toledo in a 65-54 win in the first round of the Women's National Invitation Tournament in Toledo, Ohio. Marquette (16-13) advances to the second round of the WNIT to meet Iowa on Sunday, March 23 at 2 p.m. in Iowa City, Iowa.
Tied at 49 with 5:23 to go, Marquette closed out the game on a 16-6 run to hand Toledo (20-10) its second loss of the season at home. Junior forward Crystal Weaver (Kentwood, Mich.) came up big down the stretch scoring four points and recording a pair of steals. Weaver had a solid all-around contest, scoring 12 points, grabbing six rebounds and recording four steals.
"It's about surviving and advancing in March and you have to do what you have to do to advance," head coach Terri Mitchell said. "We played the last five minutes like every possession is the last. Everything came together."
Sophomore forward Katie Alsdurf (Forest Lake, Minn.) put the game out of reach in the five minute run, Her three pointer with 2:15 left put Marquette up 56-49, essentially sealing the victory.
The Golden Eagles survived the defensive struggle. MU hit 40 percent for the game, but shot well in the second half, hitting 45.5 percent. MU held Toledo to a 34.5 percent performance.
The game was back and forth throughout much of the game before MU's final run. Marquette, playing for the first time in 13 days, went on a 12-0 run midway through the first half to go up six before Toledo closed the half on a 6-0 run. Tied at 26 at the half, Marquette went on an 8-0 run in the later stages of the second half before Toledo forced the tie at 49.
"Each time we made a run, they answered it," Mitchell added. "Every time they made a run, we answered it. We were not in mental game shape, but we didn't get down. We were thrilled to be tied at the half. I told the team that we had 20 minutes left to make something happen."
The Golden Eagles were led in scoring by Alsdurf, who had 16. Senior center Rachel Klug (Cedar Grove, Wis.) added 10 points and 11 rebounds. Karin Hoogendam led the way for Toledo with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Mary Blessing also added 13 points for Toledo.
