Skorusa earned 15 points and 16 boards against the Yokes
Sioux City, Iowa - The Cardinal Stritch University Wolves advance to the second round of the NAIA National Tournament, after earning a 79-64 win over College of Idaho on Thursday night. The Wolves got offense where it was expected and found a spark in senior, Renet Skorusa (Lemont, Ill.), who had her best game of the season to lead Stritch as deep into the post season as any current player has gone in their career.
Skorusa got the Wolves started, scoring six points in the first two minutes of the matchup. The rest of the Wolves starters quickly got involved, as they all contributed to an 18-12 lead just five minutes into the game. Angela Gray (Milwaukee, Wis.) and Caitlin Mize (Crystal Lake, Ill.) entered the game soon after, both making an instant impact, as their combined baskets and a three-pointer by Michelle Stelloh (West Allis, Wis.) gave the Wolves a ten point advantage, 25-15. A jumper by Megan Hughes (Eagle, Idaho) brought the Yotes within eight, but a 10-2 run, capped off by a Liz Neitzel (Lomira, Wis.) basket put Stritch up by 16 points. The two teams traded baskets the remainder of the half, with the Wolves leading by as
many as 18 points. However, two three-pointers by Nicolle Gall (Boise, Idaho) brought the Yotes within 12 at the half.
Stritch remained in control in the second half, with C of I pulling no closer than ten points, once again on a Gall three-point shot. But the Wolves continually responded to any offense the Yokes could muster. The first half lead carried Stritch to a 79-64 win, though they only outscored the Yokes by three points in the second period, as C of I was able to slow down Skorusa both offensively and under the boards.
Gall led the way for C of I with a game-high 24 points, included six treys. Katie Strunk (Shoshone, Idaho) also added ten points. Nicole Bruce (Boise, Idaho) and Katelin Shannon (Caldwell, Idaho) brought down seven and six rebounds, respectively.
Neitzel netted a team-high twenty points for the Wolves. Stelloh earned her fourth double-double of the season with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Skorusa posted her best numbers of the year with a season-high 15 points and career-high 16 rebounds.
The Wolves advance to the second round of the tournament where they will face Davenport University, ranked No. 2 in the nation in the final poll of the 2009-10 season. The game is slated for Friday, March 12, 2010 at 8:45 p.m.