Over winter break, the College of DuPage Women’s Basketball team played nine games, including two away games this past week where they went 4-6, putting their overall record at 6-16 before their first home game back from break. The Chaparrals played against Blackhawk Technical College (3-16) for the first game of a doubleheader with the men’s team playing on Jan. 31.
In the first quarter, the Chaps were doing really well, having taken the lead and extended to a successful margin until late in the second half, as the Talons came back into the game and closed in on the score. The Talons managed to take the lead, with the score being 26-29 at halftime.
Soon after halftime, the Talons made sure to keep their lead, despite multiple attempts the Chaps had of catching up to tie the game. Number 13, Ayaani Gusman had the ball for some potential possessions. However, the Chaps couldn’t pull off a comeback and lost 53-65, putting their record at 6-17.
When looking back at the game, head coach Kristin Ison talks about losing their lead and how Blackhawk took it from them.
“[In] the first quarter, we were able to knock down some outside shots, and they were playing us in the zone. Overall, throughout the game we shot very poorly.” she said.
Ison also discussed how they could gain momentum to comeback, but struggled especially on defense.
“Defensively, we needed a lot more energy and focus to be able to get stops. [Be]cause our momentum came, we were able to score and get on the free throw line. But then we just weren’t able to get a score and a stop,” Ison said. “We struggled guarding their post. If we were to have a better defensive game, guarding their strength, guarding their size and rebounding that would have helped build that momentum.”
As for their next game, Ison talked about their plans to prepare, mostly on their offense and what they might need to change for the future.
“We’re gonna take some time on Monday, and just look at different options that we’ll have against the zone offense,” she said. “So we refocus our offense into more options where we can go to the basket more instead of relying on our outside shot.”
The Chaps next home game is against Bryant & Stratton College (10-10) on Feb. 5 at 5 p.m. in another doubleheader with the men’s team.
