Struggles continue for Coldwater

COLDWATER - After a rough end to 2006, Coldwater looked to turn things at the start of 2007, hosting Versailles in Midwest Athletic Conference play at The Palace.

However, Versailles shot 53 percent from the floor and had a near-perfect night at the foul line beating Coldwater, 44-32, to pick up the Tigers' 10th win of the season while also going to 3-1 in the MAC.

The Cavaliers fall to 3-7 and remain mired in a seven-game losing streak, going to 1-2 in the MAC.

Cavs coach Nick Fisher saw a lot of positives with his team's play on Thursday, especially with the defense. Offensively, though, the woes continue as the Cavaliers were 10-of-39 from the field (25.6 percent)

"I told the kids that defensively, we're taking steps in the right direction," said Fisher. "It's happened the last few games, especially against Ottawa-Glandorf (a 42-39 Coldwater loss on Saturday).

"Offensively, we're a little sluggish. We're questioning ourselves. We just need to play like we're capable of playing."

The Tigers were 10-of-17 from the floor in the first half, taking a 27-19 lead into the half.

Things got a little sloppy in the second half for Versailles as the Tigers turned the ball over nine times in the final 16 minutes, including six times in the third quarter while only shooting the ball from the field 11 times.

"A couple sloppy passes. A couple sloppy offensive sets," said Versailles coach Jacki Stonebreaker. "We just couldn't get it going."

Even with the limited shots, Versailles still pushed its lead through the final two quarters, thanks to a near-perfect night from the foul line. The Tigers were 12-of-13 from the floor. Melissa Heft was a perfect 8-of-8 from the line, allowing her to finish with 10 points for Versailles.

"That's the reason we won: our free-throw shooting," said Stonebreaker. "We certainly weren't getting it done on the offensive sets. I'll take it."

"I thought we had some opportunities to get it tied up or get it to our ballgame," said Fisher, whose squad got as close as seven points in the final quarter. "We found a way offensively to shoot ourselves in the foot.

"We just never capitalized on offense. The girls are playing hard. We just have to play a little more confident," added Fisher.

The foul line was the only area Coldwater shined brighter than Versailles as the Cavaliers made all 11 of their charity tries in the game. Kendra Robbins was a perfect 6-of-6.

Justine Raterman led Versailles with 12 points while Emily Bohman added 11 markers on a 4-of-5 night from the floor.

Robbins struggled from the field in going 3-of-14, but still finished with a game-high 13 points. Ali Wenning added 10 with Tasha Stucke and Brooke Gross rounding out the scoring with five and four apiece.

"It wasn't an offensive clinic by any means," said Stonebreaker. "I thought the girls did a nice job staying focused."

Both teams are off until next Thursday. when Coldwater travels to Minster, while Versailles faces MAC co-leader and unbeaten St. John's in Delphos.