Box Score
Highlights |
Kendra Flemming dominated the paint and the Pioneers defense was stellar in a 59-55 victory over Baker in the semifinals of the HAAC Conference Tournament. The 19th consecutive victory extends the school record and advances the Pioneers to the tourney final for the second straight season.
It took the Pioneers 5 minutes to score, but Baker didn't have much going either and the score was 4-2 after the first MNU bucket. A 9-2 run in the middle of the first half put the Pioneers up by 7 and MNU led 31-26 at halftime. In the first half alone,
Kendra Flemming had 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 blocked shots off the bench. The beginning of the second half was similar to the first, and Baker quickly tied the game as MNU failed to score until more than 3 minutes had passed. MNU trailed by 1 when an 11-2 run put the Pioneers up by 8 with 14 minutes remaining. With 6 minutes left, MNU led by 10 but Baker went on a 10-1 run get within 1 with 3 minutes to go. But MNU scored the next 5 points to hold off the Wildcats down the stretch.
Flemming led all scorers with 16 points (8-14 FG). She also hauled in 10 rebounds and blocked 6 shots.
Megan Balcom had 14 points on 6-11 shooting with 4 assists. And
Kelsey Balcom had 12 points, 3 assists, and 3 steals.
The Pioneers are 29-2 (17-1 HAAC). The next game is the HAAC Tourney Championship on Tuesday at home vs. 3-seed Central Methodist (25-6, 12-6) at 7:00. CMU beat MNU by 10 in Olathe in December, and MNU beat CMU in Fayette on a buzzer-beater in early February.
