By Raimundo Ortiz
The University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) Retrievers shot 33 free throws (25-of-33 FT), 31 of them in the second half en route to defeating Stony Brook 74-65 in their quarterfinal matchup, the final game of senior Kirsten Jeter’s career.
The Seawolves could not handle UMBC’s Michelle Kurowski, a native of Hicksville, Long Island, who scored 26 points and notched 11 rebounds.
“We come in with a game plan, and we need to follow it,” said head coach Evelyn Thompson. “We didn’t tonight and it resulted in a loss. We wanted to not allow Kurowski and (Erin) Brown to have big nights and they did.”
UMBC’s Meghan Colabella hounded Kirsten Jeter, who averaged 14 points per game this season, early on, and had her touches limited.
“We wanted to front her in the post and deny her on the wing,” said Colabella. “She’s physical and if you’re physical back she’ll not play well.”
The defense on Jeter combined with cold shooting from Sam Landers put the Seawolves in an early hole.
“They played great defense, but I need to knock down my shots,” said Landers. “I have to find a different way to score.”
They spent the rest of the game behind, with every rally getting snuffed out by big shots from Kurowski and Brown.
A bright spot for the Seawolves was center Juanita Cochran, who scored 16 points and grabbed seven boards.
“While recruiting her (Cochran) I expected her to be an all-conference player,” said Thompson. “And that’s the expectation from here on out.”
Pointing to her head, and then her heart, Thompson said Cochran will have to continue improving those areas, but that she showed toughness battling through a stress fracture all season and in this game.
“She’s on crutches when she’s not playing and she put up 16 points and seven rebounds. Not too bad,” said Thompson.
As for her own future, Thompson said she did not know what the future held as far as removing her interim tag. She stressed that she loved this team, though, and rattled off the name of each player on the roster so everyone knew who they were.
“I have a family, and one son,” said Thompson. “I don’t have a daughter, but I feel like I have 13 daughters here. For my first year coaching, I wouldn’t have wanted UConn or Tennessee or any group other than this one. I can say that honestly.”
Jeter echoed Thompson’s sentiments, as she heads out the door.
“We are a family and that’s all that matters,” said a red-nosed Jeter who appeared to have been crying before speaking to the media.
UMBC will face either No. 4 Albany or No. 5 Hartford on Sunday at 1:34 p.m.
“Although we lost we most certainly will not hang our heads,” said Thompson. “They had to fight for this win.
