2008 Woodie Awards
Women's hoops splits
Whitworth takes third at Midway Classic
Danika Heatherly, Sports EditorNOTE: This article contains a correction.
The Whitworth University women's basketball team kicked off their 2007-2008 season at the University of Chicago Midway Classic Saturday afternoon, Nov. 17.* The team lost 74-58 in their season opener against Baruch College (N.Y.) Saturday, Nov. 17, but put it together for a 76-68 win over Concordia-Moorhead University (Minn.) on Sunday, Nov. 18.
Junior forward Tiffany Corigliano led the way for the Pirates with 17 points. Freshman forward Courtney Gaddis added 13 points for Whitworth, and freshman forward Keilah Fanene led the team in rebounds, totaling seven for the game. Four Baruch players finished in double figures for points on the night, lead by 15 points from Karlee Whipple.
Baruch was dominant on the defensive end, holding Whitworth to a 33.8 shooting percentage from the field. The Pirates couldn't get within ten points of the Bearcats in the second half and were dominated by the Bearcats in the key, getting outrebounded 51-37. Nevertheless, Corigliano said she is upbeat about the team's progression this weekend.
"It has been fun this weekend watching us come together, learn, and grow as a team," Corigliano said. Whitworth returns four starters from last year's 14-11 team. The Pirates were without last year's leading scorer, junior forward Alida Bower, for the tournament due to injury.
"We missed Alida at the tournament because of her injury, but I know we are all very much looking forward to having her back," freshman post Liz Horiatis said.
The Pirates played Concordia in the consolation game of the Midway Classic on Sunday afternoon, capturing a 76-68 victory after being down by six at the half.
Concordia lept out to a fast start behind six points from Melanie Hageman. With a Concordia cruising on a comfortable 12-point lead in just seven minutes into the game, Whitworth looked to gain points quickly. They did just that.
The Pirates climbed back to get within six on senior guard Teresa Zeitler's two threes with less than four minutes remaining in the first half.
Concordia again came out strong to start a half, pushing their lead to ten points with a little over a minute gone in the second. Whitworth rallied, however, taking a one point lead on a jumper by Fanene. Whitworth then build a seven-point lead with five to play behind three straight triples from Fanene, Corigliano and Orrell. Whitworth pulled significantly ahead on sophomore guard Leah Pomante's trey with 2:46 to go in the final period, essentially putting the game out of reach.
Whitworth shot at 41 percent from the floor, making 25 of their 61 shots, compared to Concordia's 34.4 overall shooting percentage. The Pirates edged out Concordia on rebounds 41-39 and took advantage from the 3-point line, downing 9 of their 20 shots from behind the arc. Corigliano was encouraged by the team's perseverance in the second half.
"It was very cool how we came back in that second game," Corigliano said. "Everyone showed a ton of heart and we just dug in to get it done." Horaitis agreed it was good to finish off the trip with a win.
"It was hard to lose our first game, but it felt good to take the lead in the second half of the Concordia game," said Horiatis. "We are learning how to play together, and it's working."
Orrell and Pomante both finished with double digits in points, pouring in 17 and 12, respectively. Orrell added seven rebounds, while Corigliano grabbed eight to lead the Pirates during Sunday's game.
Gaddis was named to the Midway Classic All-Tournament team, joined by two women from the Chicago Maroons and two from Baruch.
"We have a great team this year," said Corigliano. "We are looking to be very competitive, hopefully win conference, and make playoffs."
Whitworth will try to keep the wins coming, as the team returns to Spokane to face Lewis-Clark State College and the University of Great Falls on Nov. 20 and 24, respectively.
Contact Danika Heatherly at danika.heatherly@whitworthian.com.
*In the original posting, the date for Saturday was incorrect. The team kicked off the season Nov. 17.
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