Thunder, actually no, the Titans have rarely been a good shot blocking team.  This year seems to be different, especially with Cleveland, Boldt, Funk and Kuehl all blocking more shots than usual.  The difference so far this year, too, is that this team does not seem to be a very good three point shooting team . . . so far.  That's different than in the past too. 

We'll see how they pull it back together tomorrow vs. Elmhurst.  Of course, you can win games all sorts of ways. 

IWU'70

IWU at Elmhurst Saturday, 2 p.m. 

Key to this one is defending Bukata well.  Likely Sawyer White or perhaps Caitlyn Heyden on her.  IWU has played well at times, but still too many turnovers and slow starts to games. 

IWU at 6-2, 2-0.

Injuries still limiting the depth of the IWU rotation which currently really only goes 6-7 deep.  Would be nice to get the full roster healthy and able to explore some additional help for the starters off the bench.  All starters are playing lots of minutes.

Ava Bardic finding her game, going to the basket more, leading scorer in conference play.

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IWU at Elmhurst Saturday 4:15 p.m. -- weather permitting.  Fridman still out with his shoulder injury.  Boldt back now and back into the rotation.  IWU needs to get back on track, shoot the three better, and improve defense on the perimeter.  This is an IWU team that blocks a lot of shots. They have struggled to guard good quick guards on the perimeter.

IWU'70

That's an interesting development.   Hope she's in shape and can make a contribution.  The IWU bench is not very deep in the current rotation.  I wondered too if Sophia Feeney might come back after volleyball, but that appears unlikely.  I'm still hoping Laura Mahlum gets back into the mix after the new year. 

IWU remains at #13 in the new poll, with Carroll just behind at #14.  IWU has some good games upcoming against other ranked teams -- vs. Chicago and Bethel. 

IWU needs to get off to better starts in games and not count on coming back from big deficits using "run and jump" in the 3rd and 4th Qs.  Still too many TOs. 

IWU'70

IWU playing very poorly in the first half, but roaring back with a 27-7 third quarter, to beat a scrappy NCC team, 75-66.

For NCC:
Smith 16
Hartwig 13
Daly 11

NCC with 26 TOs.

For IWU:
The Ava Bardic show, 26, 13-16 from the line, with 5 steals
Leyden 18 and 10 with 6 steals (this freshman can play)
White 16

IWU 2-16 from 3, so they had to win another way, via defense.  IWU with 15 TOs.  Still lots to clean up and playing very raggedy, full of mistakes in the first half.

A win is a win, especially on the road in the CCIW. 

IWU moves to 6-2, 2-0. 

IWU'70

A really awesome game in Kenosha, with IWU winning over Carthage in OT 85-81.  Tied at 73 in regulation. 

It was the Mason Funk show tonight, a career high 35 points.  IWU outscoring CC 12-8 in the OT, with Casen Lawrence hitting two dagger treys in the OT, from way out.

For CC:

Brooks 24
Nesbitt 18
R. Johnson 13
Daun 10

For IWU:
Funk 35, 14-22 from the field
Lawrence 12
Colak 12 and 8, fouling out in regulation
Cleveland, a rough night, but still 9 and 12
Niego, running the offense, 9

Fridman injured, in civies.

IWU had only 12 TOs all evening.

A good start over the other main contender for the CCIW crown.  IWU goes to 6-1, 1-0.

Great game, two superb teams.  An important road win for IWU.

IWU'70

IWU starts off the CCIW season on a good note -- 74-70 over Augie in Rock Island.  This IWU team is good, but they are not going to blow anybody away. 

For AC:
Melton 14
Erickson 12
Jones 10

Augie shooting 50%, 43% from three, 74% from the line.  42 points in the paint.  But, 25 TOs.

For IWU:
Bardic 22
White 18
Kobylarczyk 13
Balli 11 and 6  (very balanced by the starters)
Leyden 8 rebounds and 7 steals

IWU shooting 40%, 30% from three, 77% from the line.  Scoring 27 points off Augie's TOs.

IWU moves to 5-2, 1-0 in CCIW play.

IWU'70

Big game for IWU tomorrow up in Kenosha.  The CCIW race begins.

Greg gave a good rundown of the new poll, with IWU dropping to #10 after the loss to Stout.

IWU will be without Fridman on Wednesday, with a significant shoulder injury.  Likely out for some weeks.  Niego will get the start and David Williams will likely find more playing time as the backup PG. 

So far, the huge improvement for the Titans is the post/paint play of Noah Cleveland, an almost automatic double-double and then some.  I expect to see more of Ruggles off the bench as well. 

IWU'70

IWU moves up to #13 in the new poll, after a successful weekend defeating two top-20 teams.  Carroll also moves up to #16.

Yes, GreenBeer, two boots.  Not good.  At least Sears is back now and it sounds like Laura Mahlum may be closer to a return too.  We'll see.

The defense of Heyden on the All-American Harris from WashU was really something, perhaps some of the best defense I've seen in my many years watching IWU basketball.  Harris with 5 points and sitting on the bench major portions of the first half with two fouls, and with great frustration.  Heyden did a terrific job and was the MVP of the Championship Game IMHO.  Of course, for the tournament as a whole, Sawyer White was a very deserving MVP.  She's really picking up her offensive game to match here tremendous defense, as well as being the court general for the Titans this season. 

IWU to Augie tomorrow night -- weather permitting.  The CCIW race begins . . .

IWU'70

A wonderful weekend to be a Titan, with IWU taking down two top 20 opponents to win the Midwest Challege Tournament at The Shirk.  They beat UW Lacrosse last night, and took down #19 Wash U tonight, 59-54.  Wash U was up by 11 with about 7 minutes to go, but IWU came roaring back with key take-aways and FTs, to win.  Absolutely smothering defense on All-American Lexy Harris by freshman Caitlyn Leyden, causing her great frustration and fouls, keeping her off the floor much of the first half.  She finished with 5 points and 7 rebounds. 

For Wash U:

Rogers, making the All-Tournament team, 18
Hughes 11
Rich 10
Harris only 5 and 7,  also making the All-Tournament team

Wash U had 21 TOs against IWU's constant pressure and press.

For IWU:
White 22 and 7 with 4 steals, named the Tournament MVP, most deservedly.
Balli, perhaps her best game, 18 and 12
Bardic 10
Leyden 9 rebounds and tenacious defense on Harris and other Wash U bigs all evening.

Bardic and Kobylarczyk also named to the All-Tournament team.

IWU shooting 35%, 30% from three, and 75% from the line.

A great win, especially when March rolls round.  IWU moves to 4-2 in this rugged pre-CCIW phase. 

A gritty, gusty win tonight, with the two freshmen playing a key part in this win. 

IWU'70

At the Shirk, a very quick, perimeter oriented UW Stout team beat IWU 66-58.  IWU was up 10 with seven minutes to go, but Stout came roaring back for the win. 

For Stout:
Creger 21
Shore 16 
Shooting 47%, 36 from three, 72% from the charity stripe.

For IWU:
Cleveland 24 and 14 with 4 blocks and 6 steals
Colak 10
Funk 8
Niego 8

IWU shooting only 36%, 13% from Trey, and 55%, 11-20 from the line.

Most important news out of this game is 2 minutes in, Josh Fridman got tangled up with one of the Stout bigmen along the baseline and was injured, likely a shoulder dislocation.  He was attended to by the health and training staff most of the first half, sent out of the arena and did not return.  I imagine this is a significant injury that will take some time to heal.  A big loss for the Titans. 

IWU now 5-1 and has an early CCIW game with Carthage up next, up at Kenosha. 

IWU '70

#17 IWU over #16 UW Lacrosse, 64-53. 

For LX:
Janke 17 and 11
Waukau 9
Welsch 9

LX had 25 TOs, with the IWU press having its impact today.

For IWU:
Bardic 22 with 6 assists
Kobylarczyk 18
White 12 with 5 steals
Leyden 12 rebounds

IWU shooting 40%, 24% from three, and 100% from the line.

IWU winning the TO line 16-25, with 16 total steals.

IWU moves to 3-2 and will play a very strong Wash U team tomorrow for the Midwest Challenge Championship at 4 p.m.

Lacrosse plays DePauw in the Consolation Game at 2 p.m.

The freshmen are really making their presence known.

IWU'70

By all reports so far, the games at IWU are being played today -- snow or no snow. 

IWU'70

Q, thanks for the update.  Glad to see the IWU games and tournament on.  I drove back from Minneapolis yesterday, too, just to see these games in person!! 

Best to all CCIW chatsters for the holidays upcoming.  Be safe out there.

IWU'70

GreenBeer, exactly.  Those are the two I had in mind in mentioning the injury bug that has plagued the Titans early on this year.  Both of those players have potential.  We'll see.  The Titans need to get "run and jump" going and have a better margin on TOs, and reduce their own TOs and mistakes.  They play at an incredibly fast pace, but when doing so you can shoot yourself in the foot when turning the ball over too much.  I actually think that Bardic has not really found her stroke as yet this year. 

Overall, I think this team when it comes into form, knows more about its identity, will have a great chance of winning the conference again.  Lots of uncertainties when playing so many freshmen and so many new combinations in the rotation.

Time will tell . . .

IWU'70