The Barometer Online

November 6th, 2007

Final women’s exhibition

I heart Head Coach LaVonda Wagner. She guided the Beavers to a 79 – 52 win at home in front of 547 fans against Team Concept. Wagner, in her third year as head coach, got revenge on T.C. which came into Gill last season and won.

Before the game Head Coach Missy Smith for T.C. was honored. The former Beaver, Smith played at Oregon State in the early 90s. Anita Rivera was also honored before the game. Rivera played with for Oregon State and graduated just last spring.

“It was fun and exciting to be back,” Rivera said, “different though, Id rather play for Coach Wagner than against her.”

So would Julie Futch but she didn’t see any action in the game. Coach Wagner mentioned Futch was out due to an eye injury suffered earlier in the week. Rumor from some OSU women’s soccer players is it happened on Thursday. 

Speaking of which, during the game I had a chance to chat with Ashley Wood, goalie, for the women’s team. She was injured earlier in the season (the morning a column was printed about her excellent play so far this season) and just underwent surgery to repair the ACL in her left knee. She says the knee is feeling better and she is on her way to recovery.

But, the game is what was important.

It was an exciting first minute of the game. Both teams combined for three fouls, two turnovers, two rebounds, a steal and a blocked shot. The steal was credited to Brittney Davis, who took it coast-to-coast for an easy lay-up. That put the first points on the board. She would finish 5-for-11 with 14 points and six (count ‘em) steals.

A few possessions later, Mercedes Fox-Griffin, brought the ball up the court and took on the entire team. First started left and then cut into the lane and in between 4 defenders elevated for the jump shot.

Griffin is looking much more controlled and calm with the ball in her hands. Last season she was timid at the point but this season, so far, seems to be very stout with the ball.

Davis was fouled with 8:06 to go in the first, hit both free throws, and brought the score to 11-5. Both Davis and Griffin played great pressure defense on the ball. Coach Wagner even mentioned their great play in the press conference.

Talisa Rhea came in off the bench and added a spark with a quick rebound and assist. Unfortunately, after those two shining plays she missed four straight shots and mixed in a turnover.

“That’s not your shot.” Coach Wagner hollered from the sideline. She was pulled from the game. A lot of her shots were on target, just a little short, a little left. Freshman woes. She will get better with time and experience.

By halftime it didn’t matter, the Beavers were up ten, 36-26.

My halftime included a short interview with O.State Gymnast Tasha Smith. She wouldn’t give any hints to her floor routine.

“You’ll have to come out and see it,” Smith said. “Come to the scrimmage on November 17.”

I’ll be there. If anything is worth five minutes, it’s a Tasha Smith floor routine.

On the backside of halftime, T.C. showed up a minute late to the floor. Apparently no one gave them the two minute warning. That was to be the motto for T.C. in the second half. About a minute late.

After hitting the first two shots of the second half, they fell apart. They were a minute late on passes, a minute late on shots, a minute late on life. The Beavers opened up the second half with an 18-to-8 scoring run. They forced five turnovers, three of which were steals.

Griffin, who finished 4-for-9 with 12 points, three assists, four steals and one rebound, sat down with 4:01 left in the game to a standing ovation.

The Beavers shot 42.9 percent from the floor for the game and combined for 20 assists on 27 shots with a team total of 18 steals.

Their next game is going to be Saturday, November 10, against Cal Poly.

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