DePauw fans watch a live stream the women's basketball
screened in the Lily Center on Friday evening.
DePauw fell to Calvin College 62-71.
SAM CARAVANA / THE DEPAUW
After another dominating season by the DePauw University women's basketball team, marred only by three losses, the Tigers ended up falling short to the hot-handed, undefeated Calvin College Knights on Friday night. The game was held on Calvin’s home court, five hours away in Grand Rapids, MI, where the rest of the NCAA tournament games will be played.
“Coach Huffman said that was the best game she has ever seen Calvin play,” first-year Hannah Gardner said.
The Tigers started the game well, coming back from an 11-4 lead by Calvin to get in front 28-27 after 12 minutes of play. Then Calvin regained control and led by nine—until senior Hannah Douglas’ halftime buzzer beater made the score 34-41 at half.
“We didn’t really do anything wrong,” said first-year Kylie Morris. “Calvin was hitting every shot and had a great run that we had trouble stopping.”
In the second half, Calvin came out and stretched their lead to 14 points by the last 10 minutes of the game. The Tigers, rallying behind a jumper from Douglas, went on an 8-0 run. Coming within six, a series of mistakes starting with a missed lay-up doomed any type of comeback DePauw had been planning.
“We stuck to the game plan,” first-year Jessica Arington said. "And on our part we played very well. Calvin was hitting all of their shots and were just better that day then we were.”
In the first half of the game, the Knights were shooting close to 60 percent from the field.
“They hit a lot of tough shots in the first half. You always expect half of those to go in, but certainly not all of them,” senior Lauren Abendroth said.
Despite the disappointing loss, the team still feels that their season was a success—as they should after yet another run deep into the NCAA tournament.
“We had an amazing season and it shows in our record,” Morris said. “We ended the season on a strong note, worked well as a team and had great practices leading up to our last few games. Our season was a great one, even if we didn’t go as far as we had hoped.”
Gardner, who was able to rack up more than just minutes this season as a first-year, agreed with her teammate.
“You can't complain losing only 3 games,” Gardner said. “We wish we had gone further though.”
Many other programs would consider making it to the Sweet 16 a huge accomplishment, but with the success that DePauw’s program has seen the past couple of years, the loss is hard for some to swallow. However, some of the players, including the younger ones, are better at seeing the positive from the season.
“Making the NCAA tournament in itself is a success,” Arington said. “Especially getting in without winning our conference tournament.”
Morris added “Everyone has the goal to win the national championships, so of course we wish we could still be playing. It’s sad to think its over, but now we just look back on our success and strive to do just as well next year, but win it all as well.”
Abendroth, after playing her final season, agrees with the younger players.
“Of course the season was a success,” Abendroth said. “Making it to the Sweet 16 is something to be very proud of. You always have dreams of winning it all, but sometimes you fall short. Nonetheless, that doesn't take away from the amazing success we have had all year.”
After the game, Coach Huffman spent time honoring the senior class and her team’s effort this year.
“She said how proud she was of everyone especially the seniors,” Arington said. “They have really taken this program to another level and are the reason for our success this season. She told us we had no reason to hang our heads because we played with heart and left it all on the court.”
The Tigers will have to hope that the program continues its impressive run without five of its key players. Savannah Trees, Emma Ondik, Hannah Douglas, Hannah Lukemeyer and Abendroth are all set to graduate in May.
While it may make them sad, it doesn’t worry the group of women that are left.
Said Arington: “Our program continues to grow and get better and I'm excited for next year.”