by OMAHA, Neb. – Haskell Indian Nations University was able to throw the College of Saint Mary basketball team out of rhythm Friday night and knock off the 15th-ranked team in the country. The Indians defeated CSM 69-65 in the nonconference contest.
“They like to take teams out of what they want to do,” CSM Coach Jesse Flanagan said. “We expected that but we weren’t prepared for it.”
Flanagan said the Indians were running a 2-2-1 three-quarter press that they were using after made baskets and then playing man-to-man defense after misses.
“It takes you out of your rhythm because it takes so long to get the ball down the floor,” Flanagan said.
By the time the Flames got the ball down the court, they were forced to rush their offense. To make matters worse, the Flames lost point guard Akia Davis early in the first quarter to injury.
“We have to get to a place where other people can come in and replicate what she does,” Flanagan said. “We need to find that secondary ball handler. Without Akia our pace changes.”
CSM struggled offensively – shooting just 35 percent from the floor and making just four of 21 three-pointers. Haskell shot 44 percent for the night.
For Haskell, Arnetia Begay scored 19 points, while Tyler Sumpter added 12 and Kortney Meat contributed 11.
