A lackluster performance in the first half by the Concordia Stingers women’s basketball team was the main turning point in a 65-56 loss at the hands of the
visiting Toronto Varsity Blues last Saturday afternoon.
“We stank the joint out in the first half,” said Stingers head coach Keith Pruden. “Toronto’s a good, talented, well coached team and if you don’t play the same
good basketball for 40 minutes, you lose.”
Although the Stingers played with more intensity in the second half, outscoring Toronto 34-26, the first half’s inconsistent offensive output was too much to
overcome.
“The problem in the first half was that we played soft defense and we weren’t doing things on offence that we normally do,” said coach Pruden.
Toronto started the game on an 8-0 run, with Concordia’s first points coming off the hands of Stingers forward Kirstina Steinfort who finished a strong game
with a team high 20 points.
Midway into the half, Concordia’s lack of mental focus and shot making proved to be the fuel that ignited the Varsity Blues into a stellar offensive and defensive
mode.
Toronto limited Concordia into making difficult shots for much of the half, while the Blues forged on with a face paced transition game and opportunistic
shooting.
The first half ended with the Blues leading by the score of 39-22.
The Stingers came out in the second half reenergized and things started to click, baskets were going in and the defense vastly improved.
“We came out much more sharper and played much better defense,” said coach Pruden. “We were very aggressive on offence.”
Speed and a tenacious defensive stance kept Toronto on its heels as Concordia continued to press and maintain possession of the ball.
At the 8:20 mark, Concordia dwindled Toronto’s lead to 11 points with hopes of a comeback, however Toronto continuously answered back with well-timed
shots.
“To Toronto’s credit, they hit some very tough shots to keep us at arms length,” coach Pruden said.
Forward Steinfort and guard Marie-Pier Veilleux led the way in the second half for the Stingers with the team shooting 46.9 per cent from the field compared to
Toronto’s 40.9 percent.
Concordia came as close as eight points to the lead late in the half but poor shot selection and some ill-fated individual efforts signaled the eventual end.
“It’s all mental stuff. We weren’t ready to play. We were flat mentally and when you’re not ready mentally, you’re not ready physically,” said coach Pruden.
visiting Toronto Varsity Blues last Saturday afternoon.
“We stank the joint out in the first half,” said Stingers head coach Keith Pruden. “Toronto’s a good, talented, well coached team and if you don’t play the same
good basketball for 40 minutes, you lose.”
Although the Stingers played with more intensity in the second half, outscoring Toronto 34-26, the first half’s inconsistent offensive output was too much to
overcome.
“The problem in the first half was that we played soft defense and we weren’t doing things on offence that we normally do,” said coach Pruden.
Toronto started the game on an 8-0 run, with Concordia’s first points coming off the hands of Stingers forward Kirstina Steinfort who finished a strong game
with a team high 20 points.
Midway into the half, Concordia’s lack of mental focus and shot making proved to be the fuel that ignited the Varsity Blues into a stellar offensive and defensive
mode.
Toronto limited Concordia into making difficult shots for much of the half, while the Blues forged on with a face paced transition game and opportunistic
shooting.
The first half ended with the Blues leading by the score of 39-22.
The Stingers came out in the second half reenergized and things started to click, baskets were going in and the defense vastly improved.
“We came out much more sharper and played much better defense,” said coach Pruden. “We were very aggressive on offence.”
Speed and a tenacious defensive stance kept Toronto on its heels as Concordia continued to press and maintain possession of the ball.
At the 8:20 mark, Concordia dwindled Toronto’s lead to 11 points with hopes of a comeback, however Toronto continuously answered back with well-timed
shots.
“To Toronto’s credit, they hit some very tough shots to keep us at arms length,” coach Pruden said.
Forward Steinfort and guard Marie-Pier Veilleux led the way in the second half for the Stingers with the team shooting 46.9 per cent from the field compared to
Toronto’s 40.9 percent.
Concordia came as close as eight points to the lead late in the half but poor shot selection and some ill-fated individual efforts signaled the eventual end.
“It’s all mental stuff. We weren’t ready to play. We were flat mentally and when you’re not ready mentally, you’re not ready physically,” said coach Pruden.
