×

Girls Basketball: Niagara advances in regionals with win over Oneida Nation

Niagara's Sarah Nawn throws a bounce pass while teammates Taylor Tushoski (15) and Gwendolyn Schwedersky (21) make a move in Tuesday's WIAA Division 5 regional opener. (Burt Angeli/The Daily News)

NIAGARA, Wis. — Niagara found its scoring touch in the second half and turned back Oneida Nation 45-36 in a WIAA Division 5 girls basketball regional opener Tuesday.

The Badgers (14-9) mustered just 14 points in the first half. They hit six field goals and just one of 10 free throws.

“Nothing is easy at tournament time, that’s for certain,” said Badgers coach Karl Lamoreaux. “Shooting one for ten from the free throw line we dug ourselves a hole.”

The Thunderhawks (5-18), who suffered their third loss to the Badgers this season by less than 10 points, also struggled offensively with 11 first-half points.

“Little of each,” said Lamoreaux when asked if the game had good defense or suspect offense. “We’re not the most talented offensive team in the world because that’s why we really have to play defense.”

Niagara meshed a full-court zone press to check Oneida Nation to 29 percent shooting and 20 turnovers.

“We have to play defense to be successful,” Lamoreaux said. “If we want to advance any further in the tournament we’re going to have to be able to handle the press and we’re going to have to play defense.”

The Thunderhawks closed to four points on three occasions in the second half, the last one with 4:20 remaining.

Freshman guard Jasmine Racine, at the urging from Lamoreaux, banked in a three-pointer that triggered a 9-2 surge and 45-34 advantage.

“I told her in the first half that that they were laying off of her,” said Lamoreaux. “She’s a freshman and hasn’t taken a whole bunch of threes but I know she’s capable of making them. That was off the backboard but they count the same. It came at a crucial time and it was good for us.”

Racine and senior guard Sarah Nawn paced the Badgers with 12 points apiece. Niagara also converted 13 of 16 second-half free throws.

“The girls wanted to play tonight,” Lamoreaux said. “They were excited to play tonight. They showed that they were willing to come out and play hard.”

Sophomore guard Yelih Rodriguez led Oneida Nation with a game-high 18 points.

“Give Oneida credit,” Lamoreaux said. “In the first half of the year they had some girls hurt and what not. In the second half of the year they got back to full strength and played everybody tough.”

Niagara will face a familiar tournament foe in the regional semifinals, traveling to Three Lakes (16-7) on Friday. The Badgers have beaten the Bluejays in the past two regionals.

“They’re a solid team, they really are,” Lamoreaux said. “They’re quick and they press. We’ll have our hands full.”

Oneida Nation 11 25 — 36

Niagara 14 31 — 45

ONEIDA NATION: Barber 5, Rodriguez 18, Lee 5, Killspotted 8. FT: 10-16. F: 27 (Lee and Killspotted fouled out). FG: 13-45. Rebounds: 28.

NIAGARA: Racine 12, Nawn 12, Tushoski 4, West 4, Schwedersky 4, A. Gill 2, C. Gill 5, Hannah 2. FT: 14-26. F: 17. 3PT: Nawn 2, Racine 1. FG: 14-58. Rebounds: 32 (West 6, Nawn 6).

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today