Can't
get to the game? Don't worry, we've got ya covered.
A change for the better
1/4/2010
By CONOR NICHOLL
cnicholl@dailynews.net
WARRENSBURG, Mo. -- Senior forward Erica Biel has noticed a change since the Fort Hays State University women's basketball team returned from holiday break. Biel, a returning first team all-Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association and all-defensive team player who set three single season school records last season, wasn't her usual self in the season's first two months because of preseason illness.
Since FHSU has resumed play, Biel has been a force inside and helped Fort Hays to a pair of solid performances, including a road win Saturday at Truman State (Mo.) University.
"I feel like I am getting stronger and I am trying to make my moves in the post a lot more stronger because I knew at the beginning of the season, I was not strong in the post at all," he said. "Now that I am getting stronger, too, I am starting to get really physical on the rebounds."
The change has helped FHSU. Last Wednesday, the Tigers lost to undefeated Washburn University, ranked No. 8 in NCAA Division II, 57-47. However, it tied Washburn's second-closest margin of the season. In addition, Fort Hays held the Lady Blues to a season-low in points. Washburn leads the conference in rebounding margin at plus-11.9, yet only outrebounded the Tigers by seven.
"I thought we rebounded well against Washburn considering that they were so dominant on the boards," second-year head coach Tony Hobson said. "I thought we really worked hard."
On Saturday, Fort Hays outrebounded Truman State (Mo.) University by seven and won 67-60, the fewest points the Bulldogs have scored at home this winter.
"Defense and rebounding, those two things, they have been better the last two games than they have been all year," Hobson said. "We are headed in the right direction."
Last season, Biel broke FHSU marks for minutes per game, rebounding average and blocks. She averaged a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds a contest. In 2009-10, hurt by the illness, Biel has not recorded a double-double and averages 10 points and six rebounds. Against Washburn, she collected 10 points and 3 rebounds. Versus Truman, she had 11 points and tied her season single game high with nine rebounds.
"I detected a little bit better strength and aggressiveness last game (against Washburn) even and I am thinking that break over Christmas, she just feels a little better," Hobson said. "She says she does. I thought her rebounding was strong. This is more of a typical game, 11 points, 9 boards for her. She was stronger in the post, she finished a couple times. I thought Erica played well."
Today, Biel and the Tigers will have another chance to continue a strong post-holiday break when they travel to University of Central Missouri. The women's game tips off at 5:30 p.m. with the men's contest to follow. FHSU is fourth in the conference at 10-2 overall, 3-2 in the MIAA. Central Missouri has lost three in a row to fall to 6-6, 2-3, yet is considered one of the conference's stronger clubs. Senior Deidra Dace leads UCM at 12 points a contest, while senior Brittney Slifer paces the conference in 3-point field goal percentage (48 percent).
"These were really important for us, just for one, to win on the road and I think for us, just to finish where we want to, in that upper 4. we got to find 4 or 5 road games, we can win and then be tougher than hell at home," Hobson said.
"Coach said anyone can play at home in front of their fans," Biel said. "You find out what kind of team you really are when you are on the road, playing in front of small crowds or not your home crowd. It's good to get road wins."
In addition, Biel has moved around some this season. As a junior, Biel was the team's lone inside threat on a guard-heavy squad. Now, Biel can play power forward if junior transfer Kara Champlin is in the game. Biel has also played more power forward if junior swingman Shelby Hillman enters.
"Her playing a lot now is really helping our rotation, because she can play a guard or be a post, too, so it's really nice," Biel said.
"It seems like when (Hillman) is in there, it just makes everybody a little bit more active because she is just flying around," Hobson added.
In the last two games, Hillman has been FHSU's first reserve off the bench, replacing freshman Whitney Taylor who suffered a stress fracture on a non-weight bearing bone in her left leg.
"Right now, they are saying two to three weeks and then they are going to check it," Hobson said.
On Saturday, Hillman delivered seven rebounds in 27 minutes, both career-highs, and helped Biel in the post. In the second half versus Truman, Biel collected five rebounds while Hillman had six as FHSU turned a tie game into a win.
"Now I am starting to get a lot stronger," Biel said.
| Scoreboard | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sport | Date | Opponent | Score |
| TS | 04/06 | Emporia State | L 8-1 |
| SB | 03/30 | Panhandle State | W 10-2 (5 inn.) |
| SB | 03/30 | Panhandle State | W 13-3 (5 inn.) |
| BB | 03/30 | Washburn | W 3-1 |
| BB | 03/30 | Washburn | W 3-1 |
| TS | 03/23 | Kansas Wesleyan | L 6-3 |
| BB | 03/23 | Metro State | W 20-8 |
| BB | 03/23 | Metro State | W 6-5 |
| SB | 03/19 | Nebraska-Omaha | L 4-2 |
| SB | 03/19 | Truman State | W 4-1 |
| SB | 03/18 | Mo. Western | L 6-2 |
| BB | 03/17 | Missouri S&T | W 2-1 (10) |
| SB | 03/17 | Bethany | W 6-1 |
| SB | 03/17 | Bethany | W 8-1 |
| BB | 03/16 | Misosuri S&T | L 13-4 |
| MB | 03/14 | Central Missouri | L 80-73 |
| BB | 3/13 | NW Missouri | W 13-10 |
| BB | 03/13 | NW Missouri | W 4-3 |
| MB | 03/13 | Central Oklahoma | W 80-64 |
| SB | 03/08 | Fort Lewis | W 5-4 |