Gonna tip my hat to UTEP and be happy we won this one. We just couldn't put them away. I thought we played a good defensive game although UTEP put together a couple of spurts where they couldn't miss. At one point they scored 11 points in two minutes to end the first quarter, yet only had 28 points total midway thru the 3rd period. They were aggressive and we struggled to find consistency. And at the end of the day, had they hit their free throws, they probably would have won. But they didn't. My two cents on some comments above:
Officials: just some jaw dropping inconsistency. One trip they let them wrestle with no call then next trip it's, oops you brushed her and they call it. That said, Wheeler did get the short end of the stick. But, I thought we got some go our way too.
The Coaches: I am not sure what provoked it but what I saw was the very animated UTEP coach way out of the coaches box. Matt Insell was yelling at the refs to look and they were ignoring him. Matt started yelling and motioning as if to tell the coach he needed to back up. Then the UTEP coach had some words in return to which Matt had a response and CRI had to settle him down.
Meanwhile, something from the stands stuck in the coaches ear because he later had some verbal exchanges with some of the fans. It was obvious that the coaches and players from UTEP were very emotionally charged for this game. We all know we have a target on our back and we are the big game for most teams. They were out to prove game one wasn't a fluke while many of us, myself included, expected us to come out and smack them around in a revenge game. I didn't care for their demeanor, but they scratched and clawed and stayed in it. They have most of their kids back too. Definitely a program on the rise that matches up with us well. Would rather not be in a position to see them again next week.
Anastasiia Foul: She did it. I just happened to be watching when it happened. While she was boxing out, she also positioned her hand against the other girls head and gave her an added shove to the face. The other girls sold it, but Anastasiia did it. Maybe it wasn't intentional and with her height it's easier for her to accidentally knock someone in the grill. From my vantage point, it didn't look accidental. There was clearly an extra shove with intention.
One and Done in the Big Dance? Hopefully the answer is no. Sceptical to think otherwise. I'm still not convinced this team has played a complete four quarter game all year. So we are due. And if we do, we can hang with about anyone. Yet the fact that we haven't scares me. By now, we should have. The 30 point quarter followed by 30 points total for the next three quarters scares me. This team can do it. They can make a solid run although sadly I wouldn't be surprised if he blow a 20 point lead and lose in round one.
