Women’s basketball reserves see extended playing time in big win

Adam Tumino, Women's Basketball Reporter

A 47-point conference victory is a rare feat, and reaping the benefits of the Eastern women’s basketball team’s 85-38 win against OVC rival Eastern Kentucky were the Panther reserves.

In particular, freshman Paige Schumann, redshirt-junior Claudia Stan and redshirt-sophomore Camino Tellez took advantage of the big win, each posting season-highs in minutes played. Each player set season highs in other statistical categories as well.

Schumann played the most minutes of the trio with 16, setting a new high mark for the season.

“The starters did great in the first quarter, they got a great lead,” Schumann said. “In the fourth quarter, we knew we wanted to step up our defense and really work on our buzz, and that led to our offense.”

Schumann tied her season high with seven points. She also made and attempted the most field goals in any game this season, shooting 3-of-5 from the field, and had three assists, once again setting a season high.

Stan set season highs with 10 minutes played, three blocks and two steals. At one point in the fourth quarter, Stan blocked back-to-back Eastern Kentucky shots within seconds of each other.

She also scored nine points on 4-of-5 shooting, her second-highest point total on the season behind a 12-point performance against Evansville on Nov. 19.

Tellez’s 11 minutes played were one behind her career high set last season. Her four points were her most this season and her two steals were her second-most.

Eastern head coach Matt Bollant said he was happy with the performances from the reserves.

“We have a standard that we want,” he said. “I though Paige did a good job distributing the ball and moving it. It’s good to see Claudia get some success and Camino as well, because those guys have worked really hard. Camino has been on the scout team a lot and got us ready for a lot of things. I was happy to get those guys some minutes.”

The Panthers will head into their game against Morehead State Saturday seeking their third-straight blowout win, and with well-rested starters to boot.

 

Adam Tumino can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].