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Baker University Feb. 23 | Baker falls 65-61 to end season
BALDWIN CITY, Kan. — Baker held leads of 35-21 and 47-35, but couldn't the Culver-Stockton College Wildcats clawed back for a 65-61 victory in the Heart of America Athletic Conference quarterfinals to end Baker's season. Senior point guard Erin Robinson of Topeka had 13 points, six rebounds and three steals in her final game before fouling out. Senior center Jessica Pontious of Enid, Okla., added 12 points, six rebounds, three steals and two blocked shots, and senior Gretchen Patty of El Dorado had nine rebounds. It was the final game of Baker's most successful senior class in school history. Robinson, Patty and Courtney Hodges of Topeka became the first players to tally 82 wins in a career. Pontious and senior Kristin Crites of Junction City joined those three, junior Ashley Ohlman and sophomore Molly Ediger as the first players to accumulate 42 wins in just two years. In the history of the program, only four teams have won 21 games in a season. Three of those teams were in the last four years. Feb. 19 | Pontious dominates inside as 'Cats win
ST. CHARLES, Mo. — Senior Jessica Pontious of Enid, Okla., closed the regular season with a dominant performance as her team tied two school win records by beating Lindenwood University 67-55 Saturday. Pontious scored 15 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and swatted six shots in just 24 minutes of playing time. She now has 39 blocked shots this season, just five shy of Michelle McDowell's record. Junior Ashley Ohlman of Emporia added 10 points, seven assists, six rebounds and ive steals. Sophomore Molly Ediger hit three three-pointers and scored 13 points total. It was the 21st win of the season for Baker and 15th conference victory, both tying school records set last year. The Wildcats will host No. 6 seed Culver-Stockton College at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Heart of America Athletic Conference quarterfinals. Baker is the No. 3 seed. The bracket can be downloaded as a .pdf file here. Feb. 17 | Seniors sent off with 33-point victory BALDWIN CITY, Kan. — Sophomore Molly Ediger led her team to the greatest Senior Night gift of all - a big victory.
Ediger, coming off the bench for the first time since Dec. 4 so that all five seniors could start, scored 17 points and grabbed four steals in just 14 minutes as Baker dominated Graceland University 73-40 Thursday in the Collins Center. Senior Jessica Pontious of Enid, Okla., scored 12 points and grabbed six rebounds and three steals. Senior point guard Erin Robinson of Topeka had nine points and five assists. It was an emotional farewell for head coach Susan Decker, who credits the class with turning the Baker women's basketball program around. Robinson, guard Courtney Hodges of Topeka, and forward Gretchen Schroeder-Patty of El Dorado, were freshmen in 2001-02 when the 'Cats compiled a 21-13 record. It was the first winning season since 1990 and the first 20-win season since 1983. In the past four years, the 'Cats have compiled 80 wins, the same amount as in the previous eight years. Robinson became the starting point guard in her fourth game at Baker and has played and started in every game since, a total of 130 games for her career. In her first two seasons, she was one of Baker's three leading scorers. In the past two seasons, she has become a prolific in other areas. She has 541 career rebounds, 393 assists and 245 steals. Patty and Hodges were key reserves as freshmen and sophomores before moving into the starting line-up as juniors. Robinson, Hodges and Patty were joined last season by post players Kristin Crites of Junction City and Pontious. The two platooned at the post position, and Crites finished her junior season as Baker's fourth-leading scorer. Pontious dominated foes and was named the Heart of America Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Year after leading Baker in points and blocked shots. This season, she broke the school record for points in a game (30) and field goals made in a game (13) against Benedictine College on January 6. This year could be the best season yet. With one regular season game remaining, the 'Cats have a 20-9 record and are 14-5 against HAAC foes. A win against Lindenwood University on Saturday would tie the school record for wins and conference wins in a season. A win in the first round of the HAAC tournament would give the 2004-05 team a full share of the record. This is the first time in the 29-year history of the women's basketball program that there have been consecutive 20-win seasons. Feb. 14 | Pontious' double-double not enough
BALDWIN CITY, Kan. — Center Jessica Pontious had another dominate game inside, but couldn't overcome Evangel's two All-Americans in a 65-51 loss Monday. Pontious, a senior from Enid, Okla.,has averaged 15.5 points per game in the last four games while shooting 60-percent. Against Evangel, she had 12 points and 10 rebounds. It was the third consecutive game in which a Wildcat had a triple double. Senior Erin Robinson of Topeka added 11 points. Junior Ashley Ohlman had another all-around game with nine points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals. Evangel All-American Shaletha Page had 26 points to lead Evangel.Three-time All-American NaTasha Neal, the daughter of Evangel's head coach and assistant coach, added 19 points and eight rebounds.
Feb. 12 | Ohlman everywhere in Baker win
CANTON, Mo . — Junior forward Ashley Ohlman of Emporia did a little bit of everything everywhere as Baker defeated Culver-Stockton College 80-70 Saturday. Ohlman tallied 15 points inside and outside, pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds, dished a game-high six assists, grabbed a game-high three steals and blocked a shot. Senior center Jessica Pontious dominated inside, racking 16 points with only one misssed while blocking two shots on the other end. Starting forward Gretchen Patty, a senior from Wichita, and reserve forward Allie Heinen, a freshman from DeSoto, combined to make five of five field goals, grab eight rebounds and pick four steals. Culver-Stockton guard Amber Dailing, one of the conference's leading scorers, was held to 2-14 shooting and seven points.
Feb. 10 | Heinen dominates paint for BU win ATCHISON, Kan. — Freshman Allie Heinen of DeSoto came off the bench to tally 13 points and 12 rebounds as Baker defeated Benedictine College 69-56 Thursday in Atchison. Heinen, a forward, picked up her first career double-double in a Jan. 29 win at Avila University. Center Jessica Pontious, a senior from Enid, Okla., scored 17 points and made eight of 11 field goals. Point guard Erin Robinson, a senior from Topeka, added 12 points and eight rebounds. Before the season, Heart of America Athletic Conference caoches picked the Ravens were picked to finish second in the HAAC. With the loss, the Ravens stay in fifth place and Baker remains in third.
Feb. 5 | Baker falls to Cards
BALDWIN CITY, Kan. — Baker University got double-digit scoring from four starters on Saturday, but it wasn’t enough to lift the Wildcats over Heart of America Athletic Conference rival William Jewell. In a 74-69 loss at Collins Center, Baker overcame a 22-0 first-half run forge a tie at 59 with 8:27 remaining in the game. The Wildcats (17-8, 11-4) trailed 70-67 with 43.8 seconds remaining, but the Cardinals iced the win with solid free-throw shooting down the stretch. Senior guard Kerri Vena went 4-of-6 from three-point range and led William Jewell (19-5, 10-3) with a game-high 24 points. Baker was led by senior center Jessica Pontius with 17 points. Sophomore Molly Ediger scored 14, with senior Erin Robinson adding 13 and junior Ashley Ohlman scoring 10. No. 16-ranked William Jewell and Baker entered the game tied for second in the HAAC. The Wildcats’ next game is Thursday at Benedictine. Tipoff is at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 3 | 'Cats steamroll Vikings, 82-38 BALDWIN CITY, Kan. — Baker University sophomore Molly Ediger poured in 18 points Thursday to lead the Wildcats to an 82-38 victory over Missouri Valley in Heart of America Athletic Conference action at Collins Center. The Wildcats (17-7, 11-3) opened with a 19-4 run and never looked back, holding the Vikings (7-16, 3-11) to a 28.0 percent shooting performance. Ediger, of Prairie Village, hit eight of her 10 field goal attempts to spark Baker’s offense. The Wildcats also got 12 points from Emporia junior Ashley Ohlman and 11 from Topeka senior Erin Robinson. Baker returns to action Saturday at home against No. 16 William Jewell College. Tipoff is at 2 p.m.
Jan. 29 | Heinen earns first double-double in BU win
KANSAS CITY, Mo.- Freshman Allie Heinen of DeSoto came off the bench to chart her first double-double as Baker defeated Avila University 77-60 Saturday afternoon. Heinen tallied 13 points, 10 rebounds and three steals in just 24 minutes. It was the third double-double by a Wildcat this season. The first two were by junior Ashley Ohlman of Emporia and senior Gretchen Patty of Wichita. Ohlman led Baker with 17 points and four steals. Sophomore Molly Ediger of Prairie Village added 16 points and senior Kristin Crites of Junction City had 12.
Jan. 22 | Five 'Cats score in double figures in win
FAYETTE, Mo.- Points came from every direction as Baker held off Central Methodist University 70-65 Saturday at CMU's Puckett Field House. Point guard Erin Robinson, a senior from Topeka, led five Wildcats in double digits with 15 points. She also added eight rebounds, four assists and three steals. She is among the top 10 conference leaders in those three categories. Senior Courtney Hodges of Topeka diversified from her role as defensive stopper by hitting three three-pointers and scoring 11 points. She made just seven three-pointers in Baker's first 21 games. Senior center Jessica Pontious of Enid, Okla., had 10 points and a game-high nine rebounds. Senior forward Gretchen Patty of Wichita scored 11 points and junior guard Ashley Ohlman of Emporia added 10. Pontious passed Stacey Schumann to move into 20th place on Baker's all-time career scoring list. Pontious has scored 639 points in just two seasons, averaging 11.6 points per game, and has led Baker in scoring both years. The Wildcats have six days to prepare for their next opponent. They will challenge Avila University at 2 p.m. Saturday in Kansas City, Mo. Jan. 17 | Robinson scores 1,000th point
MARSHALL, Mo.- Senior Erin Robinson scored her 1,000th career point as Baker cruised to a 76-59 win against Missouri Valley College Monday night. Robinson, a senior guard from Topeka, scored 10 points, dished out seven assists with no turnovers and grabbed a game-high four rebounds in just 23 minutes. She has been a starter for most of her four years at Baker and leads the Wildcats in rebounds, assists and steals this season. The 'Cats jumped out to a 43-22 halftime lead. Freshman Allie Heinen of DeSoto led the Wildcats with 12 points, two steals and a blocked shot in just 16 minutes as a reserve. Senior Jessica Pontious of Enid, Okla., added 10 points and blocked two shots. Junior Jasmine Flores of Avondale, Ariz., had four steals. In the first half of their last three games, the Wildcats have outscored their opponents by an average of 16 points. Baker has a 14-6 record overall and is 8-2 in the conference. Jan. 15 | Ohlman explodes for 23 in win
BALDWIN CITY, Kan.- Junior Ashley Ohlman of Emporia exploded for 23 points as Baker cruised to a 76-57 victory against Lindenwood University Saturday afternoon. Ohlman was a high-effeciency scorer, tallying her 23 points with just 10 field goal attempts. She made all three of her three-point attempts. Senior Jessica Pontious of Enid, Okla., scored 15 points, grabbed eight reboudns and blocked two shots to dominate the post. Freshman Allie Heinen of DeSoto set a career high with a game-high nine rebounds.
Jan. 13 | 'Cats set steals record in 81-65 win LAMONI, Iowa - Baker's bench scored a season-high 43 points and the Wildcats set a team record with 22 steals while defeating Graceland 81-65 Thursday night. Junior guard Ashley Ohlman of Emporia started the game and led Baker with 14 points, but reserves led the Wildcats in all other categories. Junior guard Rachel Richard of Osage City grabbed a team-high seven rebounds and scored seven points in just nine minutes of playing time. Junior point guard Jasmine Flores of Avondale, Ariz., led Baker's record-breaking defense with five steals. Flores and Richard led Baker with three assists apiece. Senior center Kristin Crites of Junction City and senior guard Courtney Hodges of Topeka came off the bench to add 12 points apiece. Nearly every Wildcat took part in the steals record, with nine of the 12 players grabbing a steal. Centers Allie Heinen, a freshman from DeSoto, and Jessica Pontious, a senior from Enid, Okla., had three steals apiece and five other players grabbed two steals. The 'Cats jumped out to a 47-35 halftime lead while shooting 53-percent. They held the Yellowjackets to 23-percent shooting in the second half. Jan. 8 | Robinson, 'Cats dominate Culver
BALDWIN CITY, Kan. - Erin Robinson didn’t score the 25 points she needed to reach 1,000 career points, but she did everything else her Baker Wildcats needed her to in a 62-42 victory against Culver-Stockton College Saturday in the Collins Center. Jan. 6 | Pontious scores record 30 points in win
BALDWIN CITY, Kan. - Senior Jessica Pontious, a center from Enid, Okla., broke Baker's single-game scoring record with 30 points in a 77-58 defeate of Benedictine College Thursday night in the Collins Center. Pontious broke the old record of 29 shared by Shannon Gale (versus Missouri Valley College on Jan. 27, 1996) and Allison Ramsey (versus St. Mary College of Nebraska on Jan. 21, 1997). With 13 field goals, Pontious also broke the single-game field goals made record set by Gayla Brown against Central Methodist College on Jan. 17, 20002. With the 30-point outburst, Pontious also leapfrogged Cindy Renyer (1998-2000) teammate Gretchen Patty into 24th place on Baker's all-time career scoring list, in less than two seasons. The Wildcats trailed 36-34 at halftime, then dominated the Ravens 43-22 in the second half. Benedictine was held to 19-percent (6 of 32) shooting while Baker shot 56-percent (14 of 25). Baker and Benedictine were expected to fight for second place in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. The coaches picked the Ravens to place second and Baker to finish third. After five games, the Wildcats have a 4-1 HAAC record and are in sole possession of second place while Benedictine is 2-3 and slipped into eighth place. Point guard Erin Robinson, a senior from Topeka, had another well-rounded game with 18 points, a game-high nine rebounds and a game-high four assists. She is among the top 10 players in the HAAC in assists, steals and rebounds, and is sixth on Baker's all-time career scoring list with 975 points. Jan. 3 | Patty leads 'Cats in loss
LIBERTY, Mo. - Gretchen Patty scored a season-high 12 points, but Baker couldn't overcome 22nd-ranked William Jewell College on the Cardinals' home floor Monday night, falling 77-63. Patty, a senior forward from Wichita, also grabbed six rebounds and is 25th on Baker's all-time career scoring list. Point guard Erin Robinson, a senior from Topeka, had nine rebounds and scored seven points to move her into sixth place on Baker's all-time career scoring list with 957 points. Senior Courtney Hodges of Topeka came off the bench to add 10 points. It was Baker's first conference loss of the year, but the Wildcats remain in second place in the Heart of America Athletic Conference standings with a 3-1 record.
Dec. 30 | 'Cats win 5th straight BALDWIN CITY - Senior Jessica Pontious of Enid, Okla., scored 22 points to lead the Wildcats to their fifth consecutive victory, a 56-38 decision over Southwestern College Thursday. Baker had 6-0 and 8-0 runs to start the game and led 24-15 at halftime. The Wildcats never let the 7-6 Moundbuilders closer than nine for the rest of the game and led by 21 late in the game. Sophomore Molly Ediger of Prairie Village hit three three-pointers and tallied 13 points to help the 'Cats. Senior Erin Robinson of Topeka added five points to increaser her career total to 950 points, one point shy of former teammate Cory Shoaf in sixth place on Baker's all-time career scoring list. Southwestern's 38 points was the lowest point total allowed by a Baker opponent this season. The Wildcats are just one win shy of the school record for consecutive wins. Baker's next game will be against No. 22 William Jewell College on Jan. 3 in Liberty, Mo.
Dec. 6 | Robinson dominates all areas in another win OLATHE, Kan. - Throughout her career, Erin Robinson has gone above and beyond the typical point guard role.
On Monday night, the 5-foot-7 senior from Topeka did it again by leading Baker in points, assists, rebounds and steals as the Wildcats defeated MidAmerica Nazarene University 53-51 in Olathe. The win kept the Wildcats undefeated in the Heart of America Athletic Conference with a 3-0 record. Robinson’s 14 points bumped her ahead of Kara Hess (1988 – 1992) into seventh place on Baker’s all-time career scorers list with 945 points. Robinson also had seven rebounds, six assists and two steals in 36 minutes. She is second in the conference in assists and steals and fifth in defensive rebounds. Senior Kristin Crites of Junction City added nine points and six rebounds. Dec. 4 | Ediger's hot streak continues in win
BALDWIN CITY - Overshadowed early in the season by Baker's more established players, sophomore guard Molly Ediger of Prairie Village continued to establish herself as Baker's premier scoring threat with another 20 points in a 66-56 victory versus Avila University Saturday. Ediger made four three-pointers on Saturday, increasing her team-leading season total to 22 with 40-percent efficiency. She also had five steals versus Avila. Ashley Ohlman, a junior from Emporia, added 12 points. Senior Kristin Crites of Junction City had seven points and a game-high eight rebounds.
Nov. 30 | Baker pounds foe in HAAC opener BALDWIN CITY - Baker jumped out to a big lead early and never looked back in an 80-46 victory versus Central Methodist University Tuesday night. The Wildcats held a 46-25 lead at halftime and were making over 60-percent of their shots. Senior Kristin Crites of Junction City and sophomore Molly Ediger of Prairie Village outscored the entire CMU team 27-25 in the half as Crites dominated inside and Ediger was perfect on all three shots from outside. Baker let up in the second half, but still set several season highs. Ediger finished with four three-pointers, the most in a game by a Wildcat this season. The ’Cats made 56.6-percent of their shots and 54.5-percent of their three-point attempts, both season highs. Junior Ashley Ohlman of Emporia finished with 16 points, eight rebounds, three assists and three steals. It was the first Heart of America Athletic Conference game of the year for Baker. Nineteen of Baker’s final 20 games will be conference foes. The next opponent will be Avila University at 2 p.m. Tuesday at home. Baker’s last game before Christmas break will be MidAmerica Nazarene University at 5:30 p.m. Monday in Olathe. Nov. 23 | Baker bounces back, dominates Bethel
BALDWIN CITY, Kan. - A healthier bench propelled Baker to an 84-51 win versus Bethel College Tuesday in the Collins Center. Guards Erin Robinson and Molly Ediger had 14 points apiece with stellar shooting while inside players Kristin Crites and Jessica Pontious had 14 and 13 points, respectively. Baker had nine players in the game for 15 minutes or more, as Courtney Hodges and Gretchen Patty recovered from illnesses. The Wildcats set season highs for points, field goals made (34), field goal percentage (54.8-percent), and assists (25, just two shy of the school record). Robinson had an incredible all-round game with nine rebounds, seven assists and three steals while making both of her three-point attempts. Ediger also made two shots from outside and had five assists and four steals. Baker led 38-28 at halftime, then outscored Bethel 46-23 in the second half as the Wildcat shooters warmed-up. Nov. 19-20 | Banged-up Baker manages split
BALDWIN CITY, Kan. - There were times in the second half on Saturday when head coach Susan Decker could look at a bench deep in talent and only find two players healthy enough to play. Center Brittany Cunningham, guard Jasmine Flores, and forwards Allie Heinen and Gretchen Patty could not play on Saturday due to injuries or illness, leaving the Wildcats with just three inside players from the start of the game. Junior forward Ashley Ohlman of Emporia was also inactive with a nagging injury during part of the second half, leaving Baker with just seven players. Baker trailed by 19 points in the first half, but went on 11 and 8-point runs in the second half to cut the lead to one point. However, the Wildcats could never regain the lead and lost to Friends University 80-75 despite scoring 50 points in the second half. Three other Wildcats scored in double-figures. Senior Kristin Crites of Junction City and senior Courtney Hodges of Topeka each had 13 points. Senior Erin Robinson of Topeka had 10 points and led the team with eight rebounds and four assists. The Wildcats fared better with more players and a slower pace on Friday versus Grand View College, winning 55-43. Senior Jessica Pontious of Enid, Okla., led Baker with 22 points and nine rebounds. Robinson started the weekend with 887 career points, tied with Tammy Just for 10th place on Baker's all-time leading scorer list. With 17 points, she passed Marsha Hickman in ninth place and is 13 points behind Allison Ramsey in eighth place. Nov. 12-13 | Wildcats win both games of tournament
ATCHISON, Kan. - Baker won both of its games by wide margins at the Benedictine Tournament Friday and Saturday in Atchison, Kan. The Wildcats defeated Park University 70-56 on Friday. Junior guard Ashley Ohlman of Emporia led Baker with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Senior center Jessica Pontious of Enid, Okla., also had 14 points and senior forward Gretchen Patty of Wichita had 10 points, eight rebounds and a game-high five assists. Baker stomped Ottawa University 74-50 on Saturday behind Pontious’ big game. She led Baker with 18 points, nine rebounds, three steals and two blocked shots. Ohlman and sophomore guard Molly Ediger of Prairie Village lit up the Braves from outside. Ediger had three three-pointers and 17 points, and Ohlman had two three-pointers and 13 points. The Wildcats had struggled to make outside shots during their first three games, but made 10 of 22 three-pointers during the tournament. Ediger was a perfect 4-4. Benedictine College, a Heart of America Athletic Conference rival, also defeated Park and Ottawa but by smaller margins. The Ravens defeated Ottawa 59-54 on Friday and Park 76-68 on Saturday. Pontious, the conference newcomer of the year last season, has been dominant again this season. She is making 55-percent of her field goals, a near-record-pace 82-percent of her free throws, and a team-high 13.6 points per game. Ohlman is second at 10.6 points per game. Nov. 9 | Shooters heat up, but ’Cats fall to Sterling BALDWIN CITY, Kan. – The Wildcats regained their long-range shooting touch, but couldn’t keep pace with Sterling College in a 74-61 loss Tuesday at the Collins Center. It was Baker’s first home game of the season and three Wildcats responded by scoring in double figures. Junior Rachel Richard of Osage City and sophomore Molly Ediger of Prairie Village gave the ’Cats some scoring punch off the bench with each making two three-pointers. Richard led the ‘Cats with 12 points and Ediger added nine. The Wildcats made less than 20-percent of their three-point attempts in their first two games of the season, but made six of 15 versus Sterling. It wasn’t enough to overcome Sterling’s dominant trio of forwards that scored 55 points. Seniors Courtney Hodges of Topeka and Gretchen Patty of Wichita added 11 and 10 points, respectively, for the Wildcats. Baker defeated Hillsdale Baptist College 70-39 Friday in Moore, Okla. Senior Jessica Pontious of nearby Enid, Okla., came off the bench to score 24 points and grab six rebounds. Patty scored seven of her 11 points at the free throw line and grabbed a game-high nine rebounds. Senior Erin Robinson of Topeka had five steals to lead a stifling defense. The women started the season on Nov. 4 with a 79-63 loss to Oklahoma Christian University in Oklahoma City. Four ’Cats scored in double figures, led by Robinson with 15. Robinson made three three-pointers, grabbed six rebounds and handed out five assists. Junior Ashley Ohlman of Emporia had 10 points and six assists. Centers Pontious and senior Kristen Crites of Junction City had 12 points apiece. After three games, Pontious is leading the ’Cats in scoring with 12.0 points per game. Seven other players are averaging more than five points per game. Patty has a team-high 21 rebounds. Baker will face Park University and Ottawa University in the Benedictine Tournament Friday and Saturday in Atchison. The Wildcats’ next home game will be at the Baker Classic on Nov. 19.
Nov. 4 | Robinson scores 15 in season opener OKLAHOMA CITY - With another start and 15 more points, the first game of Erin Robinson's senior season was a lot like the other 100-plus games in her career. Robinson tallied 15 points in the season opener Thursday, a 79-63 loss to Oklahoma Christian University. She made three three-pointers and also had six rebounds and five assists in the contest. The 5'7" guard from Topeka has started every game of her four-year career at Baker and is climbing the career scoring list. She is on track to break Triece Baker's record of 134 career games and set a new record for career games started while also becoming one of the five most prolific scorers in Baker women's basketball history with more than 1,000 points. Senior Kristin Crites of Junction City and senior Jessica Pontious of Enid, Okla., each scored 12 points to lead Baker's interior scoring attack. Junior Ashley Ohlman of Emporia added 10 points and six assists. The 'Cats led 30-25 at halftime. 2004-05 Season Preview | Wildcats seek to improve on landmark year The women’s basketball team reached new heights in 2003-04, and now the biggest question is what method the Wildcats will use to defeat opponents in 2004-05. Head Coach Susan Decker set several landmarks during the season, her fifth in Baldwin City. She set a record for career wins on Feb. 2 against Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan. Her team tied a record for wins in a season with 21 and broke the record for Heart of America Athletic Conference wins with 16. This season, new recruits and returning stars allow Decker the ability to run either a high-octane offense with quick posts and energetic guards or run a physical, deliberate game with strong posts and steady shooters. Either way, senior guard Erin Robinson will be a factor. She has been a starter since her freshman year, was first-team all-conference as a sophomore, and will finish her career as one of the program’s Top 5 career scorers if she scores as many points as she did last year. The Wildcats lost outside marksman Cory Shoaf to graduation, but still have plenty of depth at guard with the return of senior Courtney Hodges from knee injury, the emergence of sophomore Molly Ediger, the all-around abilities of junior Ashley Ohlman and the addition of junior college transfer Jasmine Flores. Hodges started almost every game for the Wildcats as a defensive specialist and exceptional free throw shooter before a knee injury ended her season 10 games early. Ediger averaged more than 10 minutes per game in a crowded backcourt as a freshman and Decker expects a significant increase in her role this season after witnessing a stronger Ediger during the preseason with a better attitude and determined demeanor. She is also expected to be one of Baker’s top shooters outside. Flores, a transfer from Glendale Community College, will give the Wildcats a different type of point guard than the scorers Decker has had in the past. “She’s more of a true point guard,” Decker said. “She’ll add quickness and depth and has been making some great decisions despite her lack of experience with the team.” One guard who could play almost anywhere is Ohlman, who quietly emerged as a premier player at the end of last season after transferring from Emporia State University. Despite only starting about a third of the games, she was Baker’s leading rebounder and third-leading scorer and nearly doubled her teammates in free throws made while also showing long-range shooting. The Wildcats are also looking strong inside. Decker and assistant coach Pat Schlaak knew they had an exceptional player when they signed Allie Heinen after a tough recruiting battle, but Heinen is proving to be better than advertised. “Even already in the preseason, she’s been more impressive than I expected,” Schlaak said. “She has a lot of upside.” Heinen possesses everything a coach can ask for with a great work ethic and exceptional combination of size, speed and strength. One of four six-foot-tall players on the roster, Heinen can also shoot from outside and could play a wing position if necessary. Seniors Jessica Pontious and Kristin Crites are formidable foes inside with their size and strength. Pontious led Baker in scoring (11.0 points per game) and was named the Heart of America Athletic Conference’s Newcomer of the Year. Senior Gretchen Patty started in a majority of games last season and adds athleticism and quickness inside. With five seniors and four juniors, this is the most experienced team Decker has ever had. She’ll need that experience to stay at the top of the conference, as the other top HAAC schools also return most of their key players. In a conference full of tough teams with deep rosters, Decker knows she will need to fight back with an even deeper roster. “The kids off the bench may be the X-factor,” Decker said. |
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About Baker Women's Basketball PO
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