Strong first quarter paces Tigers to NCAC title

Sunday, February 26, 2017
DePauw celebrates its North Coast Athletic Conference title on Saturday.
DePauw photo

For the 18th time in Kris Huffman’s 24 years as head coach, DePauw University is bound for the NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Tournament, following a 56-50 victory Saturday afternoon over Denison University in the North Coach Athletic Conference championship game at Neal Fieldhouse.

The 12th-ranked Tigers outscored the Big Red 13-7 over the final 3 minutes and 46 seconds to win their fifth NCAC championship in six years.

“It’s a tribute to these players. We can talk about what we’re not. We’re not very big and we’re not this or we’re not that, but we are a lot of things. We play with a lot of heart and they’ve worked their tails off to be here. I’ve very proud of this group and how they’ve molded together as a team,” Huffman said while watching the Tigers celebrate.

DePauw, the 2007 and 2013 NCAA Division III champions, will learn its tournament route Monday afternoon. The pairings will be announced at 2:30 p.m. at ncaa.com.

The Tigers were led by different players in different ways with key plays. But it was junior Emily Budde that sparked a 21-0 run in the first half and paced the Tigers with 18 points and was named outstanding player of the tournament for the second year in a row.

DePauw also got 12 points from Maya Howard, including 8 of 12 free throw in the fourth quarter when the Tigers held off the Big Red rally.

“[Maya Howard] had that key steal that got us going in transition and that kind of sparked us a little bit and I think everyone stepped up right along with her defensively,” Huffman pointed out.

Denison, a team which fell to DePauw in two overtimes in January, was led by 6-foot center Jordan Holmes with 15 points, 13 rebounds and six blocked shots. Guard Alison Schafer, who sparked the Big Red rally in the third quarter, had 13 points.

Until Budde entered the contest, DePauw was tentative on the offensive end, respecting Denison’s Holmes a little too much. Holmes in the all-time leading shot blocker (642) and rebounder (1,711) in NCAA Division III women’s basketball.

“[Holmes] is the leading shot blocker in NCAA Division III history, so she is a force to be reckoned with. I didn’t like that we were really tentative and we wanted to respect her, but still work for our opportunities inside. That’s a tough balance sometimes,” Huffman said.

But the 5-9 Budde, who hit a 3-pointer that put DePauw ahead for the first time at 7-5, took the ball right at Holmes.

“[Holmes] doesn’t like to come all the way out on you, so I shot it before she came out,” Budde said.

“She has had a lot of injuries this season and now she’s healthy. I’ve been waiting for this breakout game and it finally arrive,” Huffman said.

That 21-0 run led to a 21-5 lead after one quarter and a 31-22 DePauw lead at halftime. But this contest was far from over.

Denison’s Alison Schafer scored seven straight points to open the third quarter, cutting DePauw’s lead to four points at 33-29, and the battle was on. With 3:46 to play, the Big Red tied the score 43-43.

“It’s not easy to play with a lead, especially when its a game that ends somebody’s season. [Denison] is very experienced and they have a large senior class and they didn’t want to go away. It was a battle for us. We got into a little bit of foul trouble that hurt us offensively, but I liked how we responded when our backs were against the wall,” Huffman said.

DePauw dug in and the shoes started squeaking extra loud. Melinda Franke put back an offensive rebound that put DePauw on top. Then Howard made a lunging steal and was fouled while going for the layup. After Howard hit two free throws to put DePauw up 47-43, sophomore Claire Ryan snatched a Denison shot out of the air and followed with a long two-pointer, giving the Tigers a 49-43 lead with 1:02 to play.

With Denison fouling, the Tigers put the ball in Howard’s hands. The sophomore hit 6 of 8 free throws in the final 27 seconds to lock up the championship and 18th NCAA Tournament bid.

DENISON (50) — Schafer 5-14 0-0 13, E. Holmes 1-3 0-0 3, Mehringer 1-3 0-2 3, Krumpe 1-3 0-0 2, J. Holmes 6-13 3-4 15, Buzas 0-0 0-0 0, Province 0-4 6-6 6, Nottage 2-6 1-1 5, Stornes 0-0 3-5 3, Hofer 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 16-46 FG, 13-18 FT, 50 TP.

DEPAUW (56) -- T. Toward 2-6 0-1 6, Franke 2-2 0-0 4, M. Howard 2-9 8-10 12, Ryan 2-6 1-6 5, Kopp 3-10 0-0 7, Gaumer 0-1 0-0 0, Carlin 0-6 0-0 0 Littrell 0-0 0-0 0, Budde 8-15 0-0 18, Morris 2-5 1-2 6. Totals 21-60 FG, 10-19 FT, 56 TP.

Denison 5 17 12 16 — 60

DePauw 21 10 12 13 — 56

3Pt. FG — Den 5-17 (lSchafer 3-8, E. Mehringer 1-1, Holmes 1-3, Nottage 0-2, Province 0-3), DPU 4-16 (Budde 2-4, Morris 1-1, Kopp 1-4, M. Howard 0-2, Carlin 0-5). Total fouls: Den 15, DPU 15. Fouled out: Schafer. Technical fouls: None. Turnovers: Den 14, DPU 8. Rebounds: Den 31 (J. Holmes 13, Schafer 7), DPU 43 (Franke 8, Ryan 8, Morris 7, T. Howard 6). Assists: Den 11, DPU 5 (T. Howard, Franke, M. Howard, Ryan, Carlin). Steals: Den 2 (Schafer, Stornes), DPU 9 (Franke 2, Ryan 2, Budde 2, T. Howard, M. Howard).

Next game — DePauw improved to 26-2 with the win, while Denison finished the season 14-14.

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