Women's Hoop Report 65

Action in the Women's Basketball Invitational took place on March 19-20, at Kentucky State. Here's a recap of the action.

Winners Bracket

Cleveland State 64, Stetson 54

The Cleveland State bench put its foot down and led the way as the Vikings advanced to the WBI championship. Reserve guard Destiny Leo posted a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds. She matched a season best by hitting five three-pointers. The five-foot-10 freshman from Willowick, Ohio scored at least 20 points for the third time this season. Fellow reserve Aminata Ly continues her late season surge. She tallied double digits in the rebounding category for the second straight game. Ly came off of the bench and pulled down 13 rebounds, while scoring eight points and blocking one shot.

Below: Destiny Leo

Most of Cleveland State's starting line-up struggled. Starting guard Taylah Levy shot six-of-10, scoring 16 points. The rest of the starters combined for five-of-24 shooting and 17 points. Despite shooting one-of-six, Barbara Zieniewska, a junior guard, pulled down a season high 11 boards. Cleveland State outrebounded Stetson 42-29.

Stetson's rebounding leader was also its scoring leader. Sophomore Jamiya Turner posted 20 points and 11 boards. It was her season high in rebounds and the second time she scored at least 20 points this year. She averages 10.8 points and 4.8 rebounds this season. Stetson guard Yazz Wazeerud-Din scored 17 points in the loss.

Cleveland State beat Manhattan 68-55 on March 19 in the opening round.

Portland 80, Northern Arizona 65

Above: Maddie Muhlheim

Portland did all that it took to top Northern Arizona. The Pilots outshot, outrebounded and took care of the ball better in the fifteen-point win. Guard Maddie Muhlheim led all players with a season high 22 points. She drained a season best six three-pointers as well. The senior over exceeded her usual performance as she averages 8.1 points per game.

Guard Haylee Andrews scored 18 points for Portland, while forward Alex Fowler had 17 points, eight rebounds and five assists.

Portland qualified for the WBI final making seven-of-16 threes while Northern Arizona hit just one-of-11. Northern Arizona was led by Khiarica Rasheed. The forward scored 19 points and pulled down 12 boards. Portland defeated Abilene Christian 67-42 on March 19 in the first round.

Portland and Cleveland State will be meeting in the WBI championship today.

Consolation Bracket

Florida International 78, Abilene Christian 61

Above: Fujika Nimmo

Sophomore guard Fujika Nimmo tied her season high with 28 points, while having the best shooting night of her career, March 20. The five-foot-eight scoring guard knocked down 10-of-14 shots, while also dishing out four assists. Nimmo also cut loose on defense with a season best six steals.

Florida International shot a hot eight-of-17 from the three, while Abilene struggled going eight-for-31 from long range. Two other Panthers scored double digits, Jiselle Thomas hit 14 points and Kyla Nelson had 13.

Abilene got a strong performance from Anna McCleod. The senior guard scored 25 points, while hitting six-of-10 three-point attempts. Forward Alyssa Adams led the Wildcats with 13 rebounds, four steals and three blocks. She also scored eight points.

Florida International loss its first round game to Northern Arizona 82-69, March 19.

Manhattan 56, Loyola 51

Above: Manhattan after advancing

After losing to Cleveland State in the opening round, Feb. 19, Manhattan survived a Loyola fourth quarter rally to win 56-51, qualifying for the WBI Consolation Championship.

Both teams struggled from the field. Loyola made just 19-0f-60 shots while Manhattan hit 18-of-49 from the field. The three-point shooting was even more miserable as Loyola made four-of-21 triples and Manhattan made none of its 10 threes.

Guard Emily LaPointe scored 11 points to guide Manhattan. She scored seven of those 11 points at the free-throw line. Center Courtney Warley scored nine points and led the Jaspers with nine rebounds in the win.

Manhattan and Florida International will face each other in the consolation championship game today.