TILLEY GETS 500th WIN AS GREEN KNIGHTS TOP CARROLL --WAUKESHA - St. Norbert College women's basketball coach Connie Tilley became the 15th coach in NCAA Division III history to earn 500 wins as her Green Knights topped Carroll University 66-54 in a Midwest Conference battle at Van Male Fieldhouse. Tilley, Wisconsin's winningest college women's basketball coach regardless of division, has an even record of 500-250 in her 32 years at St. Norbert.
The triumph was a key one in the Midwest Conference race. The Green Knights improved to 12-4 overall and 8-1 in the MWC, while Carroll fell to 12-5, 7-3. St. Norbert faces second-place Beloit Saturday in De Pere. St. Norbert led from start to finish, jumping out to a 14-2 lead in the game's first seven minutes. Morgan Strasser scored six of the game's first eight points as the Green Knights took an 8-0 lead. The Green Knights led by as many as 14 points twice in the first half before settling on a 34-26 lead.
Carroll fought its way back into the game, trailing 50-45 with 10:46 left on a conventional three-point play by Leah Lemke. St. Norbert answered with a 6-0 run on baskets by Stefanie Bunday, Jamie Kuhl and Victoria Le Fevre. The Pioneers battled back again to trail 58-54 with 3:42 left on a basket by Lemke, but she missed the following free throw. Carroll had the offensive rebound off the miss, but Bunday came up with a steal. St. Norbert missed but held Carroll scoreless on the next two possessions while getting hoops from Krista Pelky and Denise Heuser for a 62-54 lead with 1:37 to go.
The Green Knights made their four free throws in the game's final minute and the Pioneers wouldn't score again. Le Fevre led St. Norbert with 16 points on 8 of 10 shooting from the floor and also had six rebounds. Bunday made a strong run at a triple double, netting 10 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Bunday's rebound and assist totals tied career highs. Heuser added 12 points for the Green Knights, who shot 49.1 percent from the floor. St. Norbert was 28-for-57 from the floor, and attempted just three three-point field goals. Lemke led the Pioneers with 20 points, while Karen Hoewisch had 11 points and Janelle Groer 10 points and 12 rebounds. Carroll was outrebounded by a 46-33 margin while shooting 32.1 percent (18-for-56) from the floor. -- Dan Lukes -- SNC Sports Information
The triumph was a key one in the Midwest Conference race. The Green Knights improved to 12-4 overall and 8-1 in the MWC, while Carroll fell to 12-5, 7-3. St. Norbert faces second-place Beloit Saturday in De Pere. St. Norbert led from start to finish, jumping out to a 14-2 lead in the game's first seven minutes. Morgan Strasser scored six of the game's first eight points as the Green Knights took an 8-0 lead. The Green Knights led by as many as 14 points twice in the first half before settling on a 34-26 lead.
Carroll fought its way back into the game, trailing 50-45 with 10:46 left on a conventional three-point play by Leah Lemke. St. Norbert answered with a 6-0 run on baskets by Stefanie Bunday, Jamie Kuhl and Victoria Le Fevre. The Pioneers battled back again to trail 58-54 with 3:42 left on a basket by Lemke, but she missed the following free throw. Carroll had the offensive rebound off the miss, but Bunday came up with a steal. St. Norbert missed but held Carroll scoreless on the next two possessions while getting hoops from Krista Pelky and Denise Heuser for a 62-54 lead with 1:37 to go.
The Green Knights made their four free throws in the game's final minute and the Pioneers wouldn't score again. Le Fevre led St. Norbert with 16 points on 8 of 10 shooting from the floor and also had six rebounds. Bunday made a strong run at a triple double, netting 10 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Bunday's rebound and assist totals tied career highs. Heuser added 12 points for the Green Knights, who shot 49.1 percent from the floor. St. Norbert was 28-for-57 from the floor, and attempted just three three-point field goals. Lemke led the Pioneers with 20 points, while Karen Hoewisch had 11 points and Janelle Groer 10 points and 12 rebounds. Carroll was outrebounded by a 46-33 margin while shooting 32.1 percent (18-for-56) from the floor. -- Dan Lukes -- SNC Sports Information
In honor of this occasion, the basketball floor in Schuldes Sports Center was named for Coach Connie Tilley. The look on her face upon hearing the news was priceless! Here's the prayer of dedication I wrote for the milestone moment:
This very weekend, the Church here at Saint Norbert and the Church throughout the world celebrates the conversion of Saint Paul the Apostle.
Given what we celebrate right here right now, one might have the impression that Saint Paul’s words to the Corinthians is Saint Paul’s wisdom shared with Coach Tilley when he wrote the following:
Every athlete exercises discipline in every way. They do it to win a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one. Thus I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight as if I were shadow-boxing. No, I drive my body and train it, for fear that, after having preached to others, I myself should be disqualified." —1 Cor 9:25-27
Given what we celebrate right here right now, one might have the impression that Saint Paul’s words to the Corinthians is Saint Paul’s wisdom shared with Coach Tilley when he wrote the following:
Every athlete exercises discipline in every way. They do it to win a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one. Thus I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight as if I were shadow-boxing. No, I drive my body and train it, for fear that, after having preached to others, I myself should be disqualified." —1 Cor 9:25-27
In that sacred challenge, let us bow our heads and pray together:
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit!
Good and loving God,
we thank you and praise you for the blessings of this day,
and for the many ways you empower us to be a blessing
to one another.
In particular, we at St. Norbert are grateful for Connie Tilley’s selfless contributions to Saint Norbert College for 32 years.
As we dedicate the “Connie Tilley Court” in her esteemed honor,
we are less concerned about wood, paint and varnish,
but rather we take heart in the
games that were played,
the athleticism that was disciplined,
the lessons that were learned,
the relationships that were established,
the spirits that were raised
the 500 victories that were celebrated.
Under her dedicated leadership, countless Green Knight athletes have come to know Connie Tilley as a thoughtful mentor, a wise instructor, a seasoned coach and most importantly, a trusted friend.
For these gifts of the Spirit we bless this court in thanksgiving and praise to a loving and generous God.
+
As we go forth this day, we pray that we may follow the mantra of Connie’s goodness:
Teammates and opponents alike,
may we strive on this court and afar
to be one in mind and heart on our way home to you
who are
+ Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Forever and ever.
Amen.
Holy Father, Saint Norbert: Pray for us!
1 comments:
i was beginning to wonder if we would ever discover the name of the woman ... congratulations ms. tilley!
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