Hampshire takes DeKalb tourney title

Hampshire struggled for awhile, but finally found a winning combination: Heine to Dumoulin.

Two layups by Alex Dumoulin off assists from Chrissy Heine provided the winning points as the Whip-Purs captured the DeKalb Turkey Toss-Up Tournament by grinding out a 31-29 victory against the host Barbs on Saturday.

Hampshire's Alex Dumoulin, Cassie Dumoulin, and Heine made the all-tournament team.

Alex Dumoulin and Cassie Dumoulin led Hampshire with 8 points each. Heine finished with 7 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists.

The Whip-Purs (5-0) trailed 25-22 until Heine found Cassie Dumoulin for a layup. She was fouled and made the free throw to tie the game. A free throw by Alex Dumoulin put the Whip-Purs ahead.

Heine then found Alex Dumoulin twice for layups to make it 30-25. The Barbs cut it to 30-29 with 24 seconds left before Alex Dumoulin made a free throw for the final margin.

"(Assistant) Coach (Brian Gilbert) and I had to work pretty hard today to come up with a couple of tricks up our sleeves," said Hampshire coach Sue Ellett. "We got a little two man game going with Chrissy and Alex and that kind of sealed their fate."

DeKalb had two chances to tie or take the lead at the end, but couldn't convert.

Until the closing minutes, the game was an often ugly defensive struggle.

The Whips shot 52 percent, but attempted just 25 shots because they turned the ball over 30 times. DeKalb had an easier time getting shots off, but didn't make very many (11-of-43).

Alex Dumoulin scored Hampshire's last 6 points after spending most of the second half on the bench with 4 fouls.

"She was getting really antsy on the bench," said Ellett. "She probably sat in four different chairs moving around. 'I said are you getting antsy,' she said 'yeah'. 'I said, OK, go in and play focused, not mad.' Because if she plays mad, she's going to get that fifth foul."