On Thursday night, Pudenz played through pain to help the Sioux knock off Emporia (Kan.) State 87-81 in a game that had as much intensity as any game at any level of collegiate basketball.
"My ankle started to bother me during the game, but I did as much as I could to block it out,"said Pudenz, who hurt her ankle in UND's win over Kennesaw during Wednesday's opening round of the NCAA Division II Elite Eight women's basketball tournament.
"But the adrenaline and intensity of the game helped block out the pain,"Pudenz said."I knew that if I could get through the game, I'd have Friday off. That's all I needed. And I never thought we were going to lose."
Pudenz practiced Friday but did receive morning and afternoon ankle treatments.
The 5-foot-5 junior guard, who was knocked to the floor twice in the Emporia game, said she'll be ready for today's title game against Arkansas Tech.
Complete backing of North Dakota?
At Friday's press conference, Arkansas Tech coach Joe Foley talked about fan support.
Foley said the Golden Suns have great support in Russelville but aren't known that much in the rest of the state. He paid tribute to the approximate 500 UND fans who made the trip to Pine Bluff.
And he also mentioned that UND has the backing of the entire state. Sioux coach Gene Roebuck smiled when he heard Foley's comment.
Later, Roebuck mentioned that not all North Dakotans bleed green and white. There are those who bleed green and yellow, the colors of UND's biggest rival, North Dakota State.
"Half of the state is behind us and the other half would like to see us fall off the face of the earth,"said Roebuck, whose response drew chuckles.
Free throws, free throws
At Friday's practice, the Sioux spent extra time shooting free throws. That came as no surprise after their 16-of-30 showing from the line in an 87-81 semifinal win over Emporia.
In the second half, UND was 8 of 18, making for some anxious moments down the stretch.
Sioux players shot free throws two at a time. If they missed one, they ran up and down the floor. If they missed both, they ran twice. The drill went on for a few minutes.
Tech has rough year
UND has struggled with injuries this season but not to the extent of Arkansas Tech. The Golden Suns have lost five players to injuries.
Before the season, guard Melissa Williams went down with a knee injury. Three games into the season, Tech lost guard Ginny Moore to a knee injury. Reserves Ashley Cunningham and Sara Kelly also suffered season-ending knee injuries. And a fifth player, Suzanne Moudy, was lost to a back injury.
That's why making today's title game has turned this into a special season for Tech.
"This year, everyone kind of gave up on us,"Tech coach Joe Foley said.
But his team, after struggling toward the end of the regular season, rebounded to win the Gulf South and South Region postseason tournaments.
Overheard
Comments heard from the media room at the Pine Bluff Convention Center:
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