ISD girls fall to Indians

From: Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil - Council Bluffs,IA,USA - Feb 14, 2004

FULTON, Mo. - Iowa School for the Deaf dropped a tough girls basketball game, falling to Oklahoma School for the Deaf, 34-33, in the Gret Plains School for the Deaf Tournament semifinal Friday.

The Bobcats came out fast, hitting some shots from the outside en route to a 12-6 lead after one quarter.

"They were clogging up the middle and we were able to connect on some outside shots," said Iowa Deaf coach Mike Shannon.

The Bobcats took a nine-point advantage into the half, but theing quickly went awry.

The third quarter was the turning point in the game as the Bobcats went cold from the field, and the Indians took advantage with an 11-4 in the quarter to cut the Bobcat lead to one entering the fourth.

"The third quarter was the difference in the game," said Shannon. "They came out and hit their shots and we didn't."

Okalhoma Deaf took a four-point lead into the final minute of the game, but the Bobcats were able to hit a 3-pointer with six seconds left to cut the lead to one.

The Bobcats were then forced to foul, but they only had five team fouls so Oklahoma Deaf was able to inbound the ball after a foul and run the clock out.

The Bobcats were led by Karen Ruckman, who scored 14 points, while Katie Romey added eight points and 11 rebounds and Jada Hart had six points, six boards, five assists and three steals.

Iowa Deaf will play Saturday against Arkansas Deaf in the third-place game of the tournament.

Oklahoma Deaf 6 4 11 13 - 34

Iowa Deaf 12 7 4 10 - 33

Oklahoma Deaf: Stallings 0, Walters 2, Greenwood 16, Nilo 0, Jones 9, Thurman 7,

Iowa Deaf: Liz Gramblin 4, Karen Ruckman 14, Jada Hart 6 (6r, 5a, 3s), Cassandra Case 0, Merideth Kasal 1, Kasal Romey 8 (11r).

Records: Oklahoma Deaf (na), Iowa Deaf (7-9).

©Daily Nonpareil 2004