Thursday, March 11, 1999
Sophomores keep Mason undefeated
Issenmann, Munoz key 16-point win
BY DAVE SCHUTTE
Enquirer contributor
FAIRBORN — The sophomore connection, Michelle Munoz and Jere' Issenmann, saved the nation's No.1-ranked girls basketball team Wednesday.
With Mason guards Beth Jones and Racquel Ellis not able to buy a basket and leading scorer Dallas Williams on the bench in foul trouble, Munoz and Issenmann took over.
A 21-point effort by Munoz and hot three-point shooting by Issenmann lifted the Comets to a 53-37 victory over Trotwood Madison in the Division I regional semifinals at Wright State University.
Mason, ranked No.1 nationally by USA Today and No.1 in Ohio Division I, advances to the championship game against Beavercreek Saturday (11 a.m.) at Wright State, with the winner earning a spot in the state semifinals.
“Every player has an off shooting night,” Munoz said. “I don't know if I sensed I had to step it up. The picks were there and I was open for the shots.”
It was Issenmann who got the Comets off to a fast start. With Madison's defense geared to stop Jones, Issenmann unloaded three consecutive three-point field goals, giving Mason a 19-11 lead at the break.
“We definitely didn't want Jones shooting the three,” Madison coach Stephen Douglas said. “But it didn't surprise me that Issenmann hit them although she didn't shoot well the three games I saw them play.”
With Williams on the bench, Issenmann opened the second quarter with a three-point field goal and Munoz scored the next six points on 12-to-15 foot jump shots from inside the paint. Mason led 28-20 at the half.
“Beth never got untracked,” Mason coach Gerry Lackey said. “They were keying on Beth and Jere' stepped up. They may have overlooked Jere', but she's our best three-point shooter.”
Williams scored six points in third and Munoz added eight as the Comets took a 44-27 lead.
“The beginning of the third quarter was the key in the game,” Douglas said. “They got us out of our game and it's tough coming from behind against a good defensive team.”
Mason held an opponent to under 40 points for the 18th time in 24 games.
Said Lackey of Munoz's night: “Michelle is capable of stepping out and hitting the perimeter shot. Winning a game like this should give the girls added confidence.”
This is the third consecutive year Mason has reached the regional championship game.
TROTWOOD MADISON (37) — Lewis 1-2 0-0 2, Guthrie 3-12 3-5 10, Derrick 4-8 1-2 9, Liggens 1-6 0-0 2, Self 3-7 0-0 8, Lopez 1-1 0-0 2, Thomas 0-1 0-0 0, Bagley 0-1 0-0 0, Findley 1-1 2-2 4. Totals: 14-39 6-9 37.
MASON (53) — Issenmann 5-9 0-0 14, Williams 6-12 0-1 12, Munoz 9-13 3-4 21, Ellis 1-8 0-0 2, Jones 1-8 0-0 2, Lippert 0-2 0-0 0, Imbus 1-1 0-1 2, Flanders 0-1 0-0 0. Totals: 23-54 3-7 53.
Trotwood Madison ....... 11 9 7 10—37
Mason ....... 19 9 16 9—53
Three-point field goals: M (3-7) Issenmann 4. TM (3-12) Guthrie, Self 2. Rebounds: M 33 (Williams 9, Munoz 9, Issenmann 5). TM 29 (Derrick 10, Guthrie 6). Assists: M 19 (Ellis 6, Issenmann 4, Jones 3, Lippert 2, Williams 2, Munoz, Imbus). TM 7 (Guthrie 4, Liggens 3). Steals: M 16 (Munoz 6, Jones 4, Ellis 3, Imbus 2, Lippert). TM 7 (Self 3, Liggens 2, Derrick, Finley). Officials: Bobby Sagers Jr., Paul Armstrong, Bob Juliano. Attendance: 3,000 (estimated). Records: Mason 24-0, Trotwood Madison 22-2.
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