Harper Stats
Triton Stats
RIVER GROVE, Ill. – The Harper College women's basketball team looks for its first conference win of the season as they travel to Triton College on Saturday afternoon for a 1 PM. The Hawks (6-10, 0-1 N4C) are coming off a loss to No. 4 Rock Valley College on Wednesday night, while the Trojans (1-16, 0-1 N4C) lost their first N4C game to Joliet Junior College.
Last Season
Triton got the best of Harper on both occasions last year with 54-52 and 59-43 wins.
Key Hawks
Joslyn Nicholson (/Cary-Grove), who averages a double-double of 23.1 PPG (eighth in nation) and 11.3 RPG, will be counted on for offense as well as her defense (2.6 steals per game). Ashonte Sims (/Normal Community West) (9.6 PPG, 5.6 RPG) and Kim Herzog (/Buffalo Grove) (7.9 PPG, 4.2 APG) must also deliver on both ends of the court. Lane Winkler (Arlington Heights, Ill./Rolling Meadows) (6.3 PPG, 7.1 RPG) and Sarah Nelson (/Warren Township ) (4.0 PPG) are also scoring options for the Hawks.
Key Trojans
While the Trojans have struggled to find victories this season, they have two very capable scorers in sophomores Candace Madison and Cre' Williams. Madison scores 19.0 PPG and grabs 11.3 rebounds a night, and Williams has averages of 10.9 PPG and 8.6 RPG. Freshman forward Courtney Marshall (9.4 PPG) gives Triton a solid third scoring option.
Keys to the Game
As often is the case in a basketball game, the team that takes care of the basketball and limits turnovers usually comes out on top. Triton averages 26.6 turnovers a game, and Harper averages 22.7. The teams shoot similar percentages from the free throw line (Triton-60.3 percent, Harper-60.6 percent), so the game could be won or lost on the foul line.
While Nicholson will likely fill up the stat sheet, the Hawks have had other players step up in victories. For example, in the Hawks' 65-63 win over Illinois Valley Community College back on Dec. 16, Herzog scored 16 points and made several clutch baskets and free throws down the stretch. Also, in Harper's 70-65 road victory at Oakton Community College on Dec. 9, Sims scored a career-high 18 points.
