by By Reid Williams
(Lawrence, Kansas) – If the Haskell Indian Nations University women’s basketball team were looking to make a statement win for being in the NAIA National polls at this point in the season, they certainly did last night after drubbing the No. 9 Tabor College Bluejays 80-52 at Haskell Coffin Sports Complex.
After traveling four days earlier to Omaha and taking down No. 15 College of Saint Mary, the Indians showed now sign out any letdown in facing the Bluejays.
Haskell would take control of the game from the opening tip, jumping to a 6-0 lead thanks to Kortney Meat (17 points) and Keli Warrior (26 points). Tabor College scored their first point at the 6:14 mark in the first quarter. The first quarter would end 15-10, with both teams going on runs of their own.
Tabor would take control early in the second quarter jumping out to a 21-17 lead.
The Indians were able to settle down and regain control of the game after Ember Sloan (8 points) hit a big three point basket, making the score 24-23 in favor of HINU. Tabor would immediately call a timeout, trying to calm themselves down. Coming out of the timeout, Haskell would set up their press to create pressure on Tabor and never look back. By halftime Haskell would lead 35-26.
Head coach Shane Flanagan said, “We want to make sure, defensively, that we are the aggressor. I don’t want us on our heels, I want us being aggressive.”
Coming out of the half, Keli Warrior would knock down a shot from the right block making it 37-26. The Lady Indians continued forcing turnovers and converting on the offensive end of the floor. Kortney Meat would hit a three with 8 minutes left in the third extending the lead to 14 points.
By the start of the fourth quarter, Haskell was in clear control, up 58-34. The constant pressure from the Indians would be too much for Tabor College to handle. HINU would cruise to an 80-52 victory.
Haskell improves to 4-0 for the year, while Tabor College falls to 1-3. As a team, Haskell was able to force 25 turnovers and shoot 56% from the floor.
“We talk about be confident all the time and I think it has been showing the past few games.” Flanagan said. “I really think that game on Friday against (College of) Saint Mary’s and the way we came back and the way we battled, was important (for confidence) in tonight’s game versus Tabor”
The Indians will look to keep their hot hands going when they travel to the Tara Patterson Classic to take on Southwestern College. The game against Southwestern College will be the first of five road games before returning to Coffin Complex to take on Baker University on November 24th in which the basketball teams will celebrate Native American heritage month by wearing special Nike N7 Uniforms provide by the shoe company.
