Women off to great start

Rob Tate
Senior Reporter

Nicole Piggott proved on Saturday why she was named to the All-Conference team last week as she led Oakland to a less then thrilling 82-51 beat-down of the Ladies of Centenary College in first round action of the Mid-Con tournament.

Piggott playing in her final Mid-Con tournament stepped up with 24 points on 10 of 18 shooting. Piggott has been cruising since the end of the regular season. The senior averaged 22.3 points per game over her last three regular season games including a season high 28 points at UMKC on February 19.

Oakland got off to a rampant start causing a quick timeout by Centenary with a quick 6-0 run. The timeout only delayed the Golden Grizzlies. A lay-up by sophomore guard Jessica Pike on a fast break capped a 40-9 run with 5:44 remaining in the half.

Piggott along with her teammates tightened the vice on Centenary on the defensive side of the ball. Centenary shot only 27 percent from the field and Oakland wiped out the Ladies on the glass, crushing them 51-28 in rebounds.

The biggest blow against Centenary’s was their inability to get inside on Oakland’s interior defense. Centenary managed only five two-point field goals on the game.

Freshman Melissa Jeltema had here best offensive output of her career in her Mid-Con debut. Jeltema was relentless against Centenary, hitting many inside baskets, earning a career high 16 points.

Centenary made the score more respectable with Cierra Bush hitting three three-pointers and adding six free throws for a total of 17 points on the afternoon.

Oakland will play the winner of #4 IUPUI vs. #5 Western Illinois which will be played tomorrow at noon.

Look for the results of today’s game and tomorrow’s action here on The Oakland Post Sports Blog