Burlington Central has one of those nights
Stephanie Smith is trying to build something at Burlington Central. She's had some early success, but there may be a few nights like Tuesday along the way. She hopes not too many.
Rockford Lutheran spanked the Rockets, 54-24, in a Big Northern crossover in Rockford.
The Rockets, with 3 players sick, couldn't buy a basket, as at least a half-dozen shots rimmed out. Jordan Maisto was held scoreless. And every close call seemed to go against the visitors.
But Smith wasn't buying any excuses.
"You have to earn respect," she said. "We didn't deserve to win. We didn't box out, we didn't shoot the ball well. We're trying to change the attitude here, we're trying to get them to be more aggressive, but you have to earn your reputation."
Taylor Colby had 6 points and 10 rebounds for the Rockets (4-2). Six other players scored between 2 and 4 points.
Despite shooting just 21 percent in the first half, the Rockets trailed just 23-17 at the break. But the Crusaders ratcheted up their already tenacious full-court pressure and proceeded to score 6 points in less than 2 minutes.
"Exactly what we talked about not wanting to happen," said Smith.
A 3-pointer by Araceli Munoz and a basket by Lauren Perucco made it 31-22, but Lutheran scored the final 8 points of the quarter to lead 39-22.
A basket by Allie Settanni made it 41-24 early in the fourth quarter, but the Rockets would not score again.
Defensively, the Rockets' numbers weren't too bad: Lutheran shot just 35 percent and committed 21 turnovers, but the Rockets couldn't get a basket or a call. Typical of the latter, Katie McNutt grabbed a rebound with a Crusader draped on her back. Officials called a jump ball. Lutheran shot 13 free throws to Burlington's 4. As to the former, the Rockets made just 3 of 21 shots after the break, 1 of 12 in the final period.
McNutt and Settanni each scored 4 points for the Rockets. Maisto helped out with 6 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocks and an assist.
Hillary Deppe scored 12 points to lead Rockford Lutheran.