Turnovers 'devastating' for Lady Devils

SPRING VALLEY — Hall had a chance to win the game with less than two seconds left but failed to convert, falling to LaSalle-Peru 42-41 Tuesday at Red Devil Gymnasium. However, they didn’t lose the game on that one possession.

Hall coach Dave Kain knows where it got away from the Lady Devils — turnovers. Hall had a total of 29 turnovers in the game; 14 in the second half.

“Twenty-nine turnovers is what lost the game. That’s 29 opportunities we didn’t score,” Kain said. “That’s the devastating part."

Hall entered the fourth quarter with a 29-24 lead. LaSalle-Peru tied the game at 34 after a bucket by senior guard Ellen Renk. Renk then forced a turnover and was fouled. She made both free throws to give L-P their first lead of the game. 

After L-P took a four-point lead, Hall senior Liz Mosbach drained a three-pointer to cut the lead to one. After trading baskets and jump balls, Hall got the ball back with seven seconds left and into the hands of senior Jaclyn Kain, whose final shot bounced off the rim.

“That’s the way we drew it up in the huddle,” said Dave Kain. “She got a good look and the basket. If it goes in we win the game. But that’s not what lost the game.

“(L-P) got more confident as the game went on and we got less confident, and we even had the lead."

Both teams combined for eight turnovers before the first basket was scored. Hall led after the first quarter, 12-4. A back and forth second quarter was still in favor of the Lady Devils, who lead at half time, 20-14. Hall senior center Kelle Nett had a strong first half with 10 points and eight rebounds. Hall and L-P had 25 combined turnovers at halftime.

The third quarter was also back and forth and the Lady Cavs outscored the Lady Devils by one, but Hall still had a five-point lead entering the fourth quarter.

“Our second half was horrible,” said Kain.

Kelle Nett had a double-double for Hall with 15 points and 14 rebounds, both which were game highs. She was followed by Kain who had nine points and five rebounds.