News

Marian University Ancilla denied any chance of a redemption game for Montcalm Community College, as the Chargers women’s basketball team won 90-37 over the Centurions during a rematch game, Saturday, Nov. 23. 

MUA has won seven consecutive games to start the season, and much of it is due to a balanced attack. Against the Centurions, the Chargers shot 42.9% from the three-point line, going 12-for-28 to the Centurions’ 3-of-17 (17.6 percent), and forced 27 turnovers to their 11. 

Owing to an injury, MCC was without freshman guard Grace Riley (Grand Ledge, Mich.), who scored a career-high 19 points in their loss to Oakland Community College, Nov. 19. Starting sophomore guard Makenna Rautio also suffered an injury during the game, which required stitches in her lip.  

The Centurions (0-0 MCCAA Northern, 1-3 overall), playing in their first road game of the season, played a tight first quarter against the Chargers, who led only 18-12 going into the second quarter. However, MUA then began to separate itself from MCC, outscoring them 21-7, taking a 39-19 lead into halftime. 

In the first match-up between the Centurions and Chargers, an 83-60 MUA win on Nov. 15, Head Coach Scott Pedigo said a lack of rebounding and presence in the paint defensively led to the Chargers getting many second chances. It was one area that the Centurions tried to remedy in Saturday’s game. 

MCC freshman forward Kennedy Schilling said her team struggled with ball pressure while trying to fill in their two missing pieces.  

“We practiced on limiting their touches in the paint,” Schilling said. “That is where a majority of their points came from the first time we played them.” 

After halftime, the Centurions were hoping to change the narrative, however, the Chargers picked up where they left off, outscoring MCC 25-10 in the third quarter and 26-8 in the final quarter. 

Overall, the Chargers shot 47.2% from the field to the Centurions’ 26%. MUA also outrebounded MCC, 47-31. 

“We have to work on facing pressure and not letting it affect us as much,” Schilling said. “We need to just go out there and do what we know how to do.” 

Schilling, who finished the game with three points and three rebounds, said she knows her team is better than what they’ve shown so far this season. 

“Now we have to prove it,” she said. “No matter what we face, we still have to go out there and give our best. We don’t let it affect our next game. We need to keep pushing hard at practice to get better.” 

Freshman guard Emily Putnam (Sheridan, Mich.) had eight points and seven rebounds while Rautio ended with eight points and four rebounds.  

UP NEXT: 

The Centurions’ next game will be at home, Saturday, Dec. 7, against Spring Arbor University’s junior varsity team. The theme for the game is Adopt-A-Family Night. Those who plan to attend are encouraged to donate a new toy for the drive, which can be dropped off at a table just inside the gymnasium. Tip-off is at 1 p.m. 

Media inquiries, please contact:

Shelly Springborn
Director of Communications and Public Relations
shellys@montcalm.edu
989-560-0833