Jurgita Kausaite is near the top of UND's list of things to stop when the Sioux meet the Hornets in the NCAA Division II Elite Eight women's basketball semifinals at 6 tonight at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. Kausaite had game highs of 32 points and 15 rebounds in a 99-72 victory against Bentley (Mass.) College in Wednesday's quarterfinals.
Forward Emily Bloss added 19 points and guard Sarah Wells 16 for the Hornets. Forward Tara Holloway also was in double figures with 10.
But the 6-foot Kausaite, who combined with sister Aneta to score 38 points in last year's 92-76 championship-game loss to UND, is the team's catalyst.
"We have to stop (Kausaite), stop their transition and stop them from going to the basket," Sioux coach Gene Roebuck said.
Roebuck said he believes the Hornets are as good as they were last year. The question is whether UND is as good as it was last year. The Sioux lost returning starter Mandy Arndtson to a knee injury early in the season and don't have as much depth as the 1998 team.
That's why it's critical that point guard Jaime Pudenz, who suffered an ankle injury in a quarterfinal victory against Kennesaw State of Georgia on Wednesday, is near full strength today.
Emporia State coach Brandon Schneider said he believes Pudenz will play. More than the 5-foot-5 Pudenz, Schneider is concerned about UND's size and strength -- both in the post with 6-3 Jenny Crouse and 6-2 Kami Winger and at forward with 5-11 Katie Richards.
But, he said, "I don't know if there's a chink in their armor."
Since both teams are good in transition, it could be a track meet. With a smaller lineup, that will be the Hornets' only chance to stay with the two-time defending champions.
"It's just a matter of whether we can hinder their execution a little bit," Schneider said. "It's going to come down to which team is going to take care of the ball best and which team is going to rebound the best."
Rebounding might be the most important statistic, as both teams need to rebound to get their running games in gear. The Sioux had a 48-32 rebounding edge in a 96-69 victory against Kennesaw State. Emporia State was only outrebounded by one against bigger and taller Bentley College.
Emporia State probably is better in its half-court defense this year, but the Hornets don't have the one-two offensive punch of a year ago.
"I think these kids are more committed to pressure in the half-court game than our team was last year," Schneider said.
The 1999 team also has this over the 1998 team: "We've definitely faced more adversity this year," Schneider said. "We've been in close ballgames this year. We've been behind and had to come back."
With a wounded Pudenz, UND may have to overcome some adversity today.
Since UND is ranked No. 1 and Emporia State No. 4 and No. 2 St. Rose of New York and No. 3 Bentley are no longer playing, today's game could be a big one. The winner of today's game will be favored to win it.
TODAY: VS. EMPORIA STATE
Emporia facts
Record: 30-2. Last 10: 10-0
Conference finish: First in Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association, won MIAA postseason tournament
NCAA tournament record: 8-2
Last tournament appearance: 1998, second in Elite Eight
Coach: Brandon Schneider (first year)
SCOUTING THE HORNETS
Emporia will throw more pressure at UND than the Sioux have seen all season. The Hornets pressure the perimeter, hoping to take teams out of their offenses. . . . Jurgita Kausaite is the key to the Hornets. If teams control her, they usually have success. Few teams, however, have stopped the fluid 6-foot forward. . . . Emporia remembers last year's loss in the title game to UND but has not made that a major issue during its first few days in Pine Bluff.
SCOUTING THE SIOUX
UND proved last year it can outrun the Hornets. The semifinal game likely will be another shootout. The Sioux, however, shoot a better 3-point percentage and if they're on early, it could be a rough night for the Hornets. ... A key will be the health of Jaime Pudenz. If her right ankle is healthy, the Sioux should be able to get off to a good start.