Sure, Allen Community College picked up another win Monday, the Red Devil women’s sixth straight to open the 2023-24 season.
But Allen’s 64-47 win over visiting Bethany College’s junior varsity squad left head coach Leslie Crane wanting more.
“We’re struggling as a team to be consistent in anything we do,” Crane said. “We’re so up and down from one game to the next. That’s what’s killing us.”
The Red Devils led throughout, but also never really pulled away like Crane had hoped against a squad that had brought only seven players to the ACC gymnasium Monday. She wonders if seeing Bethany’s thin bench led to her players losing focus.
“This was not the team I thought they were bringing, so our preparation was different, but it didn’t make any difference. Our intensity level wasn’t there from the start, and once you lose that, it’s hard to get it back.”
Allen pushed ahead late in the first half to forge a 31-20 lead at the break. The Red Devils maintained the lead until a defensive flurry sparked a Red Devil run at the start of the final frame.
Khamille Warr converted a three-point play before Mafala Chambel’s steal led to a Saran West layup. Another Bethany turnover led to West’s own 3-point play, to push the lead to 17.
Bethany kept things within reach by hitting six 3-pointers in the second half, but Allen countered with 80% free throw shooting to stay safely ahead.
The Warr twins, Khamille and Khassidy, led the way with 17 and 14 points, respectively. Khassidy Warr also had eigh rebounds. West followed with 12 points. Noa Muranaka led with four assists.
Allen also struggled mightily from 3-point range, hitting only 2 of 16 attempts.
Muranaka’s struggles from the field were evidence of Allen’s inconsistency, Crane said.
On Saturday, the sophomore guard was perfect from the field, hitting all seven of her field goal attempts. On Monday, she was 0 of 6.
“There’s no doubt we share the ball well,” Crane said. “But we’re also too hurried when we shoot. Retention and consistency is what we’re lacking.
“The sophomores have the retention, but they don’t have consistency,” she added. “Our newcomers don’t have the retention, and they don’t have consistency.”
Allen is at Neosho, Mo., Wednesday evening to take on Crowder.
Bethany (15-10-8-14—47) (FG/3pt): Hernandez-0-0-2-0, Breshears-1/4-2-0-16, McCormick-4-0-5-8, Crespi-0/1-1-0-4, Senecaut-0-0-3-0, Sherwood-0/2-1-2-7, Basart-3/2-0-3-12. TOTALS-8/9-4-16-47
