The Collegian

Issue date: 1/29/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Andrew Dodson Charger women's basketball puts their hands before re-entering the game. Cath them tonight at 6 p.m. against Saginaw Valley State University.

Two more wins last week against Ashland and Tiffin Universities brought the women's basketball team to an astounding 15-2 overall, 10-2 in the GLIAC conference.

Last Thursday, the Chargers beat Ashland 73-62. Four players scored in double digits.

Head coach Claudette Charney said in an e-mail to the Collegian the Chargers held on to the game well, but Ashland didn't let them take it easily.

"They have a senior-laden team with a lot of experience," she said. "They alternated defenses from a player-to-player to a zone the entire game."

Freshman Chelsea Harrison led the team with 18 points and hit all four 3-point shots she attempted. She was also 4-for-4 from the free-throw line.

"Chelsea did have a great game off the bench," Charney said. "She hit some 3-point shots that happened at very important stretches of the game."

Charney said the Chargers focus on team goals, but each player has a certain role to fill.

"It is important that they play their role, and her role is definitely one of being a shooter," she said of Harrison.

The Chargers beat Tiffin last Saturday, 75-61. In that game, senior Katie Cezat broke her own school record for rebounds, snagging 26.

Tonight, the Chargers take on Saginaw Valley State University at home. This will be the teams' second match-up of the season. Last time they played, the Chargers won ran away with it, 74-38.

"Saginaw has struggled this year," Charney said. "They will compete and come in with nothing to lose. "

Saturday, the Chargers will play Lake Superior State University away, also for the second time this season. Last time, the Chargers won 71-61.

Freshman Katie Bildner said playing teams twice allows them to know what they need to do specifically to beat each team.

"Saginaw is guard-oriented," Harrison said. "Our post players will get a lot of action, like always."

"We don't practice any less," Bildner said.

Charney said the game against Lake Superior State will be difficult, as LSSU is a good team, and the Chargers will be trying to take them down on their home court.

"LSSU is a very good team and because we play at LSSU, it will be a more difficult game," she said. "They have two very good post players that score, and we will have to do a better job of defending them when we play them up there."

Charney, Bildner and Harrison emphasized that their large number of wins is not something they focus on.

"We have been successful because we work hard and prepare for every opponent," Charney said. "We are not and will not become focused on how many wins we have. Our goal is to win a championship."

Bildner said that while the team tries to keep an even mindset concerning their success, they still know they have to enter each game with confidence.

"You must go in with a swagger," she said.

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