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Show · !MONDAY, DECEMBER 4 , 2000 UNIVERSITY. JOURNAL SPORTS Lady T-Birds win at UMKC BY JASEN ASAY JOURNAL SPORTS EDITOR PAGE 17 Mortensen and SU·U fit perfectly together especially when playing on the road, he said. Another bright spot for the team is its great depth. Erin Kelly came off the bench to add eight BY JASON ERICKSON Chris, the name has changed SUU 's double scoring-threat of Sarah Mortensen points, and Beverly Glover, Caroline Heaton and and Megan Woolston led the Thunderbirds to their Jacque Palmer all scored two points each for SUtJ . ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR but the hard work hasn't. "lfthe other team puts a first Mid-Continent Conference win of the season "It's good to look at the end of the bench and not Now in her final year of small player on her, she can Saturday afternoon at UMKC 59-55 in Kansas be worried about who is going in," Hillock said. playing basketball for Southern post-up. If they put a big player City, Mo., at the Swinney Rec Center. Mortensen "They know I've got confidence and will play them. Utah University, Sarah on her, she can take them off and Woolston each scored 15 points for SUU as They work harder in practice because they know I Mortensen is taking the dribble," Hillock said. "She's the team broke its three-game losing streak. will call on them." Thunderbird basketball to new kind of like a double-edge "The main thing is we stopped the bleeding and One injury for the 'Birds, starting center Julie heights. At 6-foot-4 she stands sword." found a way to win a close game at the end, which Bellamy twisted her ankle in the second half of the as the 'Birds tallest player. Mortenses was also allwe couldn't do against BYU [last week]," said SUU game, and is questionable for tonight's game. If Named second team allregion and state in high school Head Coach Joe Hillock. she can't go, Nancy Langman conference by the media last volleyball. In fact, when Hillock SUU (2-4 , 1-0 Mid-Con) trailed will step up and play more year, Mortensen brings her called her high school coach, UMKC (0-4 , 0-1 Mid-Con) 32-30 minutes. Bellamy is being league leading 8.9 rebounds a SUU Alum Dave Houle, Houle at the half, but came alive in the watched over.by Mortensen, game back for another season told Hillock he thought she was second half. With 15 minutes left Palmer and Langman who going to play volleyball in in the game, the 'Birds went on a serve as the team's trainers on of Mid-Con play. As a junior last year, she had college. Luckily for SUU , she 16-7 run and took the lead 55-51 the road. 1Odouble-digit rebounding decided to play basketball. with 9:18 remaining in the game. SUU hopes to keep its games, which Born in Fort Ord, Calif., "That was started by fast break winning streak as the Lady included a career-high 16 Mortensen has two older opportunities,· Hillock said. "It T-Birds play at Mid-Con foe rebounds vs. Oakland. She brothers and four younger really changed the game for us." Oral Roberts tonight at on last was also second brothers. The youngest are Jacque Palmer started the run 6:05 p.m. (MST). The Golden year's team in scoring at 10.8 now just starting to play Jr. by scoring a lay-up, followed by ~ Eagles are coming off a 74-71 ppg. Mortensen had six double- Jazz basketball. a three-pointer by Erin Kelly and ~ victory over Youngstown doubles, "Sometimes I try a jumper by Woolston. Then QState. Hillock said that the which tied her for second in Kelly hit again from behind the to give them . ~ team will be trying to pound the conference with advice, but they three-point arc and the 'Birds ~ the ball inside and get a lot of two others. were in business. don't listen ~ points in the paint. In high But for eight minutes after the l:L.ll!IZ!is:::.--~-.....::!.~.!_..:1.....:___J ~ "They're not as big as they because 1'!11 just school, their sister,· run, neither team could generate Beverly Glover is just one of several were last year. We nee.d t? Mortensen Mortensen said. any offense until Woolston hit a players providing depth off the ta~e advantage of that, Hillock led Mountain 15-foot jumper for SUU . After Mortensen bench for SUU. said. View to backbegan playing that, SUU hung on to win. After tonight, the team to-back basketball in Hillock said that he was pleased how the players continues its road trip for the next week, playing at undefeated eight grade, did not panic when they were behind, as they did San Jose State (Dec. 7) and University of the state titles. She when she last week in their 64-57 loss to BYU. This is tough. Pacific (Dec 9). was also named was asked Utah's Ms. by one of Basketball in her friends 1997 after also to come Great three-point shooting and defensive "If someone would have told me that Monaco being named the play on pressure by UMKC helped the Kangaroos beat the wouldn't have scored, I would have bet everything State's SA MVP. the team Thunderbirds Saturday 67-47 at the Municipal but the farm and my family on it,· Evans said. Mortensen helped her dad Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo. UMKC's Michael Jackson , last year's Mid-Con her team post a 63-0 was UMKC's Michael Watson scored a game-high 20 player of the year and newcomer of the year, was record while attending points, including shooting three-of-eight from three- held to just eight points by the 'Birds. Mountain View. $he rtensen coaching. point range. As a team, UMKC hit 10-of-its-25 •And then if they would have said Michael also saw her team sarah Mo · Mortensen went to attempts from behind the three-point arc. Jackson would have only eight points, I would have ranked 18th nationally try out for the team but Dan Beus led the 'Birds with 14 points and five lost the farm," Evans continued . "My farm is not by USA Today in the because of her height she rebounds. Justin Sant added 11 points. that big anyway.· 1997 final poll. already had a spot on the "We didn't play good, but they ha'd something to SUU came into the game in high spirits, after After being recruited by every team. do with that," SUU Head Coach Bill Evans said winning at Oral Roberts for the first-time ever college in Utah, not to mention "The reason I liked it then is during a post-game radio interview. 60-56 Thursday night. House led the team with 16 some out of state schools, why the same reason I like it now.fl UMKC's defense forced 17 SUU turnovers, while points and eight rebounds. SUU? Mortensen said. "I like to play the 'Roos turned the ball over only Down 49-46 with six minutes to "Why not SUU?" Mortensen because it's fun . I love seven times. UMKC took go, Southern Utah went on a says. "It was not a hard basketball." advantage of the turnovers, 13-3 run over the next four decision for me to make. I Mortensen's ultimate goal is scoring 18 points, while SUU minutes. House started the run knew I would get the best oneto make it to the NCAA could only capitalize for four points with a pair of free throws, then on-one education here." tournament in March. off turnovers. · buried a three-pointer from the SUU Head Coach Joe Hillock "I want to be dancing in "They just don't take many top of the key to give the 'Birds March,· says Mortensen. "That also played a big part in getting chances with the ball,· Evans said. their first lead since the 17:46 Sarah to come to SUU. is the ultimate goal and all "They just don't turn the ball over, mark, 51 -49. After Beus hit one Hillock started recruiting her other goals are simply stepping even against someone like us.· ~ of two free throws Chris Cameron before he had even seen her stones to dancing in March.· Both teams play a type of ~ hit a three for ORU to tie the play before, and it paid off. Mortensen plans on match-up zone defense and iii game 52-52. Beus answered "I asked him if he was crazy," graduating in May in sports Evans said that he was impressed ~ back with a power move under Mortensen said. "He began medicine and certifying as an with the way the 'Roos were the basket for a 54-52 SUU lead, recruiting me early. Saying he athletic trainer. From there she coached and the way they played. ~ then Justin Sant hit a trey from had a lot of enthusiasm would would like to leave Cedar City "They played good defense, !!:l the left wing off a Monaco feed. be the understatement of the and pursue a career as an they were solid and made no Dan Beus, shown here shooting With 1:45 to play Sant hit a layup year.· afhletic trainer. She does. not mistakes,· Evans said. "We didn't over an Idaho State defender, after another Monaco assist to "I never saw her play," Hillock want to pursue a career in play with the energy that we led SUU Saturday w;th 14 points. push the SUU lead to 59-52 . said. "When I got the job here, I basketball and doesn't want to needed to today. They had more · Monaco finished with .12 points started making some phone coach. steals and created more turnovers than we did.· and five assists while Sant had 12 points, three calls to my friends and the "I can't coach because I SUU's two leading scorers, Fred House and Jeff assists, four rebounds and three steals. House same flame kept popping up.· would be scared that all the Monaco, didn't have good games. House finished added four steals for the Thunderbirds. That name was "Sarah Pratt.· girls would be just like me," with only seven points and Monaco was held SUU returns home for a game against Although, thanks to a marriage Mortensen said. "Now that scoreless. Monaco was able to dish out a gameSacramento State Wednesday night at 7 p.m. In this past summer to husband would be scary." high six assists. the Centrum Arena. Men split Mid-Con road ga111es a . I• |