Saint Mary’s College basketball has already eclipsed a new milestone, earning head coach Rob Hoffman a better record than last year; however, as they head into the final month of the season, new challenges lie ahead.
The Belles are currently 7-12 on the year, while earning a 2-8 record in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA), with close wins against teams such as Adrian and Olivet. Saint Mary’s came back after winter break to a snow-filled campus, bringing heat to the court under Hoffman’s directive: “play like their lives depend on it.” This mentality proved to be a success during their foul-filled Adrian matchup, and despite struggling in the win column otherwise, the team’s intensity remains high.
Despite these losses, many players have stepped up for the Belles, with the seniors permanently etching themselves into the history of this program. Forward Hannah Outlaw, despite it being her first and only year with Saint Mary’s, has led the team in scoring for multiple games and is second on the team for field-goal percentage, offensive rebounds, steals and blocks. Although her statistics are some of the best on the team, she is significantly more than just a number for the Belles. Every single game, Outlaw is putting her body on the line, not afraid to get knocked into the back wall to draw a foul for her team and even running into the crowd to pull the ball back inside the court to keep possession. The other two seniors on the team are guards Alyssa Matuza and Nicole Connolly. Matuza, despite her low scoring average, has always been a steady contributor in other areas of the court with assists and rebounds. She also connected on a clutch three-pointer – her third of the year – during their high-pressure Adrian contest. Connolly, though sidelined for a few games this season from a knee injury, is lethal from mid-range, shooting over 50% in five of her first six games this season. Her career can be summed up by watching her points per game only climb throughout her time at Saint Mary’s, now finally adding over six a night in her final year.
These seniors have been leaders and mentors for the younger players on the team, and are ready to pass the torch to two freshmen guards in Liv Fry and Caroline Langworthy. Langworthy, who was a 1,000 point scorer in high school and was named to her All-District First Team, has made an impact on the court with a handful of games shooting 50% or more. Langworthy is always setting a strong defensive presence on the perimeter while trusting her team to do the rest. Langworthy’s running mate for the next couple years will be Fry, who as a freshman already has the power and trust of the team to direct the offense. Hoffman didn’t just give this role to Fry, but through her high basketball IQ she has become a crucial leader in both playmaking and assisting for the Belles.
Saint Mary’s is set to face-off against 9-9 Calvin University on Saturday; however, this is not the first time these two have met. This season, back in early December, the Knights walked out of Angela Athletics & Wellness Complex with a 61-57 win, led by junior forward RyAnn Rohrer and senior guard Anna Fernandez, who recently reached the 1,000 career points mark. Rohrer will be a challenge for the Belles since she is a combination of the best of Fry and Outlaw. Rohrer leads Calvin in made field goals, made free-throws, offensive and defensive rebounds and steals, making her a dual-threat on both the paint and perimeter. If the Belles earn a win this weekend, their historical record against the Knights will move to 5-61 and go against the history books.
Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. in Grand Rapids, Michigan
