It took them until the final home game of the season but the Milwaukee Area Technical College Stormers women's basketball won their first home game in two seasons Wednesday night against Wilbur Wright College, 58-56. The game was close throughout and featured 11 ties and 12 lead changes.
The game was tied at 23 heading into the half with the Stormers having no answer for Chaquita Smith who scored 9 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in the half. The Stormers shot under 30% in the first half but still had a better shooting performance than the Rams who hit on just 27% of their attempts.
MATC was down three points with just 15 seconds to play when freshman Tori Sykes sank a three-point shot to tie the game. It was the only long range basket the Stormers made all game. Sophomore Claire Goyette came up with a steal on the ensuing possession and converted a layup while being fouled to give the Stormers a two-point lead with just six second to play. Goyette's free throw attempt was no good.
The Rams got the rebound and put up a three-point attempt at the buzzer but it hit off the front of the rim, giving the Stormers their first home win in over two years.
The Stormers won despite losing the rebound battle by almost 20 rebounds and taking 15 less shots. The Stormers narrowly won the turnover battle in the game, giving the ball to the Rams 38 times in the game. Wilbur Wright College turned the ball over 40 times. The Stormers did the most with the turnovers, outscoring the Rams 31-21 in points off turnovers.
The Rams had three players record double-doubles in the game. Zaporia Smith led the way with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Chaquita Smith fouled out with 18 points and 20 rebounds and Magdelena Barran had 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Jasmine Gray paced the Stormers, narrowly missing a triple-double coming off the bench with 18 points, 11 rebounds and 8 blocks. Goyette had 17 points and Sykes recorded 11 points.
The win improves the Stormers to 6-19 overall, 4-9 in conference and 5-12 in the region. They finish the regular season on Saturday, February 23, with a game at Rock Valley College, the defending NJCAA national champions and top-ranked team in the country.
