Millikin earns spot in final four

It has been 20 years coming for Millikin. The No. 6 ranked Millikin Big Blue (27-2) recorded only its second trip to the Final Four in school history with a 63-56 win over No. 22 Calvin (25-5) on the Knights’ home court, extending the Big Blue’s win streak to 14 games and improving its new season win record to 27 games. The loss ended Calvin’s chance for the program’s Final Four berth, as well as an 11 game win streak. Calvin set a new season win mark with its 25-5 2004-05 record after recording its first Sweet 16 berth this season.

Millikin struggled in the first half of Friday night’s win over Stout but opened the game against Calvin shooting 37.1 percent in the first half for a 36-25 halftime advantage. The Big Blue forced a turnover on the first possession and ran off to 6-0 lead before Calvin got on the board. Millikin did not surrender its lead for the duration of the game.

“I am so proud of our team for coming into a storied place like Calvin College. They are one of the best programs in the country. Coming in here and winning two games is a great barometer of our program,” Millikin coach Lori Kerans said. “John Ross and the Calvin program deserved to be in the Elite 8 and have two of the finest players, not only in the MIAA, but in the region, in Kristen McDonald and Lisa Winkle.”

Despite a solid lead for most of the game, Calvin pulled within four points late when Lindsey Peuler struck with :18 to go. Millikin’s Audrey Minott hit one free throw for a 61-56 lead. At the other end, McDonald missed 3-pointer and Minott grabbed the defensive rebound and was fouled. Minott hit both free throws to preserve the win. “The size and quickness of Millikin is something we haven’t seen all year,” Calvin coach John Ross said. “We tried all types of things defensively and they really had things going. They did a great job taking care of McDonald and doubling in the post. All around, Millikin played a great game.”

Ippel, who earned the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player honor, scored 22 points and pulling down nine rebounds in the championship. Joanna Conner, who was also named to the all-tournament team, picked up a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds and Lindsey Koehn scored 11 points. Conner also led the Big Blue with three steals and Audrey Minott had four assists. For Calvin, Lisa Nanninga scored 18 points and Lisa Winkle recorded a double-double of 11 points and 13 rebounds. Peuler was also in double-figures with 10 Millikin out-rebounded 26-20. Millikin shot 37.5 from 3-point and 77.8 from free throw. Calvin shot 31.3 from field, 45.5 from 3-point and attempted no free throws. The Knights suffered from poor free throw shooting, making only 6 of 16 (37.5) attempts (all in the second half). For the game, they shot 40.7 from the field and 37.5 from 3-point. Millikin shot 35.9 percent for the game, 38.5 from 3-point and 60 percent from the free throw line. Millikin will play March 18-19 in the Final Four at Norfolk, Va. on the campus of Virginia Wesleyan College.

In addition to the excitement of the Final Four berth, Millikin had many other things to celebrate. Kerans made her 500th appearance as a coach in tonight’s game. With a record of 380-120, she also made 79 trips to the floor in a Big Blue uniform, including the 1984-85 season when the team finished third nationally. Senior Audrey Minott tied Millikin’s career record for games played (107) and will get a chance to earn sole possession of that record in next weekend’s Final Four appearance. Junior Joanna Conner and freshman Lindsay Ippel were named to the all-tournament team with Ippel, who started just the second game of her career in the game, earning the Most Outstanding Player honor.