18-0 becomes reality for fourth-ranked Lady Jays years ago
Tabor drills Bethel
73-40 to complete
perfect league season
By RYAN RICHTER
Sports writer
After running the gauntlet in the KCAC, finishing the regular season unbeaten, Lady Bluejay coach Rusty Allen wasn't acting like he'd just won the Publisher's Clearinghouse Sweepstakes or hit the jackpot in Kansas Cash.
Despite his team posting an unfathomable 18-0 record, Allen knows there's the KCAC Tournament still to go before the reality might soak in.
The current Bluejays were in grade school when All-World Susan Decker led Tabor Bluejays to an unbeaten season in 1991-92.
Fourteen years later, the Bluejays (23-3) did it again, mowing over the visiting Bethel Lady Threshers Saturday on Senior Night, 73-40.
"It's a good feeling, but at the same time, there's a lot to be accomplished," a cool-mannered Allen said. "I think it is a great accomplishment that doesn't happen very often.
"I'm very proud of our players. We won a lot of close games and we overcame a number of adverse situations, but at the same time, a new season begins. We want to win the conference tournament."
The clock couldn't have run fast enough for the Threshers Saturday with the game pretty much sewn up for Tabor even before the 10:00 mark in the first half.
The Threshers were within two four times in the game's first 3:47 before the floor gave way.
Emily Vogts triggered a 10-0 run that left Bethel in severe trouble, 18-6.
Had the Threshers a towel to throw in, chances are it would have come in after the midway point.
While the Bluejays were sinking baskets on their way to shooting a scorching 62 percent from the field, Bethel's shots were clanking off the iron and the turnovers were piling up.
Dana Rathbun made the first of a one-and-one with just inside 6:00 to mark the last points the Threshers would score the remainder of the half.
That gave Donya Anderson time to fuel a 15-0 run that widened the gap to 42-13 before the end of the first half.
Anderson and Stacie Herman each tied for game-high scoring honors with 14 points as the Bluejays shared the ball.
Twelve of Tabor's 16 players who got into the game managed to score baskets.
By the time the Threshers finally got the bucket of water to cool Tabor's shooting off to 32 percent the second half, striking distance was light years away.
Making things worse for Bethel, coach Mark Fox was hit with a technical midway through the second half after arguing with the officials.
Nicole Ellis' free-throw with 7:56 left gave Tabor its largest lead of the evening, 66-27.
Despite cooling off the second half shooting, the Bluejays still finished hitting nearly 50 percent off 22-of-45 and 78 percent at the free-throw line.
The Bluejays senior corps of Erica Hemmert, Jill Hein, Shannon Kroeker, Stephanie Stuber, Erica Dechant, and Katie Tedder have never endured a losing season at Tabor.
Playing their final regular season game at Hillsboro, Allen had nothing but high praise.
"What a contribution they've made to Tabor College women's basketball," he said. "I am so proud of them. They're great people, they're great teammates and friends, and they set a fabulous example for the younger players.
"I just feel compelled on senior night that I acknowledge how much we all appreciate our seniors."
After a first-round bye, the Bluejays open their postseason hosting the McPherson Lady Bulldogs tonight (Wednesday) at 7 p.m.
With a win, Tabor will be in action at 2 p.m. Saturday for the semifinals and the championship at 7 p.m. Monday.
"Last year, our players just didn't take care of business like they should have (first-round loss)," said Allen. "I'm going to be real curious to see how hungry they are. I think they're going to be real hungry for this."
