CLEVELAND — You could almost see the writing on the wall.
After another dramatic win in Wednesday’s quarterfinals of the Mid-American Conference tournament at Gund Arena, the Bowling Green’s women’s team seemed to be running out of gas, and the storied careers of seniors Stefanie Wenzel and Lindsay Austin were nearing their conclusion.
After opening a 16-6 lead on top-seeded Miami, the Falcons succumbed to Miami’s depth over the final 13 minutes of the first half, falling behind by 15 at halftime after turning the ball over 15 times.
Miami scored 14 points off those turnovers.
The RedHawks, 14-2 in conference play during the regular season, had BG’s senior tandem of leading scorer Stefanie Wenzel and iron-woman Lindsay Austin in check.
At the half, Austin had three points. Wenzel? a goose egg.
“I sat in here the other day and told everyone that you can look at stat sheets and you’re going to go as your seniors go,” BG coach Curt Miller said after Friday’s game. “And we entered halftime with three points out of our senior class.”
Essentially, the Falcons’ seniors had not gone. Neither had the Falcons.
But out of halftime, something clicked.
Austin, who set the school record in steals against Miami, and who hit the game-winner against Western on Wednesday, turned up the intensity. Wenzel scored the first basket of the second half, and followed five minutes later with a three that cut the RedHawk lead to eight.
The duo saved its best for last, though. Austin had nine in the second half, including another game winner at the buzzer that eerily resembled her two previous game-winning shots of the season: “After the foul shot was missed, Carin got the rebound and I knew there was less than eight seconds left. I went down with it, and they were hugging on our players at the arc. I went up with it and cut it close again, and it went in, and I can’t be happier,” she said later.
Wenzel had nine in the final eight minutes, including a trey from the left baseline that cut Miami’s lead to 74-70. She hit two free throws 50 seconds later.
The team continues to astound with its cool under pressure.
The reason: Austin and Wenzel, who have exuded confidence in themselves and their inexperienced teammates no matter the situation.
“You saw our two very underrated seniors in our program want to go down fighting,” said Miller, who has praised the duo’s grittiness the entire season. “They were disappointed with their play and their leadership in the first half. At this time of year, you hide behind your seniors. They cover up your weaknesses.”
“You saw us come out of halftime with that senior leadership,” he continued. “They [Austin and Wenzel] scored the first seven out of halftime, and no question proved to freshmen and other people on the floor that they weren’t done.”
Austin said she’s getting used to the heroics.
“I’m pretty confident [in those situations now],” she said. “This has been a great season, and if it comes to the last shot, I’ll either kick it or take the shot, whatever needs to be done.”
As for Wenzel?
“It’s hard for Stefanie to be patient because she wanted more shot attempts,” Miller said. “It’s OK that their vocal might be on you. It’s going to let other people have better looks. She will get her opportunities, she’s gotta take advantage of them when she gets them.”
The two need to remain patient for just one more game.
Then, they can be as impatient with the celebration as they want.
