SPORTS

STIMMEL SAYS FIRST-YEAR ATTACKER HAS HIDDEN TALENT AS SINGER

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The MarqueTTe Tribune sports

Tuesday, March 22, 2022

PAGE 12

Tar Heels End Golden Eagles Season

Photo courtesy of Marquette Athletics

Men’s basketball head coach Shaka Smart standing in the Golden Eagles’ 95-63 loss to North Carolina in the First Round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Dickies’s Arena.

Leaky Black holds Justin Lewis to six points on afternoon

By John Leuzzi

john.leuzzi@marquette.edu

FORT WORTH, Texas — Coming into Thursday’s first-round matchup, the Marquette men’s basketball team sought its first NCAA Tournament win since March 2013.

However, that will have to wait at least another year as Marquette fell to North Carolina 95-63 at Dickies Arena.

“It wasn’t our day. We did not play with the level of violence we needed to on the defensiveend to take away the things that North Carolina wanted,” Marquette head coach Shaka Smart said. “Thought early in the game they (North Carolina) were able to kind of get in the rhythm shooting the ball and then on the offensive end a lot of the good looks we got, we did not make.”

With the loss, the Golden Eagles have now lost seven of its final 11 games after its seven-game winning streak in January.

Smart said there is a lesson his team can take from its blowout loss.

“You have to lead on the defensive-end and that’s regardless of how things are going on offense,” Smart said. “We didn’t do a good enough job of that today.”

Redshirt first-year forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper came out firing for the Golden Eagles with back-to-back 3-pointers to give Marquette a 6-5 lead at the 17:41 mark.

Then both teams would go on close to four-minute scoreless droughts, before the Tar Heels went on a 13-2 run to take a 18-8 lead forcing Smart to call a timeout.

North Carolina continued to put it on Marquette taking a 27-10 lead at the 8:44 mark after graduate student forward Brady Manek hit the then-sixth 3-pointer of the half for the Tar Heels.

Both sides had to be separated at half court following a nose-to-nose encounter between Darryl Morsell and Caleb Love.

Behind Love’s six 3-pointers in the half, which tied the most 3-pointers in a NCAA Tournament game for North Carolina, the Tar Heels led 5325 at halftime.

For North Carolina, the 28-point lead at halftime is the second largest in program history in a NCAA Tournament game. Meanwhile for the Golden Eagles, it was their largest halftime deficit of the season. It was previously 14 back on Dec. 4 against UCLA.

“We let our offense dictate our defense, instead of we should have done it the other way,” first-year guard Stevie Mitchell said. “We didn’t make as many shots as a group and let for them going in transition. They made some easy buckets in transition, which helped them get going.”

Redshirt first-year forward Justin Lewis went 0-for-8 from the field and was held scoreless in the first 20 minutes. North Carolina recorded 11 offensive rebounds in the half compared to Marquette’s three.

The Golden Eagles also picked up three technical fouls in the half: one for Kur Kuath hanging on the rim after a dunk, another for Smart arguing about a missed travel call and the final for Morsell with his quarrel with Love.

Early into the second half, Lewis hit a 3-pointer for his first basket of the afternoon and to cut the Marquette deficit to 57-30.

North Carolina kept it raining from beyond the arc, taking a 67-33 lead on Manek’s fifth triple of the afternoon. At this point, the Tar Heels were on a stretch where they hit eight of 10 attempts from the field.

The Golden Eagles struggled offensively from the field Thursday afternoon, shooting 36% from the field and 26% from beyond the arc.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL WNIT: Van Kleunen sets new career-high in points

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inside,” Purdue head coach Katie Gearlds said. “But really in the first quarter just kind of set the tone and punched us in the mouth.”

Marquette got out to an early 10-6 lead before Purdue took its first lead of the game, 16-14 with 2:50 on the clock following an 5-0 scoring run.

The Golden Eagles then bounced back and went into the second quarter with a 24-18 lead behind 15 first quarter points from Van Kleunen.

Marquette’s offense and Van Kleunen kept their momentum rolling in the second quarter, opening the frame on a 7-1 run which prompted Purdue to call a timeout.

“Anytime you go on a run against a really good Purdue team it’s huge,” Van Kleunen said.

Coming out of the timeout, Purdue found its offense as the Boilermakers went on a 9-2 scoring run to bring the Golden Eagles’ lead closer. McLaughlin made her second 3-pointer of the game with two seconds to go in the half to send the Golden Eagles into halftime leading 40-35.

The Boilermakers opened the third quarter with four quick points, forcing Duffy to call an early timeout just over a minute into the quarter. McLaughlin said Duffy’s message in the Marquette huddle was defense.

“It was the defensive end that we needed to pick up and we did that,” McLaughlin said.

Following the timeout Marquette went on their own 10-2 scoring run, giving the Golden Eagles a 50-41 lead. Purdue continued to chip away and fight back with its own offense outscoring Marquette 7-6 in the remainder of the quarter.

Both teams continued to go basket for basket as they scored nine points a piece at the under-five media timeout of the fourth quarter.

Coming out of the timeout, Marquette’s offense sparked a 12-5 scoring run to end the frame including a dagger 3-pointer from McLaughlin with 57 seconds to go.

“I knew this next one was going to fall,” McLaughlin said. “I think it just kind of sealed the game let all the emotions out.”

For Van Kleunen, it was the 15th 20-plus point showing of her career. In addition, the graduate student forward has scored 20-plus in Marquette’s four of the past five games.

Along with her 27 points, Van Kleunen added 11 rebounds to complete her seventh overall and fourth of the season double-double.

Outside of Van Kluenen, junior guard Jordan King made her impact felt in the game finishing with 17 points, four assists and tied her career high for rebounds with nine.

“She was steady and made big plays for us,” Duffy said. “Whether that was a defensive stop, five offensive rebounds for her is big because she doesn’t really do it that much.”

Junior guard Antwainette provided Marquette with 10 points and four boards in 21 minutes of action off the bench.

“Now (that) she’s scoring on offense (it) brings a different type of style on the court,” McLaughlin said. “Now we have a driver on the court who can facilitate, who can get rebounds so I think she’s a hard matchup for some. I’m just very proud that she has waited her turn and has stepped up when it was her turn to shine.”

As a team the Golden Eagles went 28-for-63 from the field while holding the Boilermakers to just 24-for-64 from the field.

Marquette once again dominated on the glass, out-rebounding Purdue 43-32.

With the win, the Golden Eagles are now 16-9 all-time in WNIT games and 9-2 in the tournament when the game are played at the Al McGuire Center.

Marquette (23-10) will host Toledo (28-5) in the Sweet 16 of the WNIT Thursday night at 7 p.m. CST inside the Al McGuire Center.

Photos by Collin Nawrocki collin.nawrocki@marquette.edu

Photos by Sarah Kuhns sarah.kuhns@marquette.edu

MEN’S LACROSSE

Foster brings new talents to Stimmel’s squad

Attacker embodies vocal presence on and off the field

By Ava Mares

ava.mares@marquette.edu

What does Minnesota’s 2020 number one ranked high school basketball team, that went 28-0, have in common with Marquette men’s lacrosse? One name: Will Foster.

“Lacrosse is very similar to basketball in some aspects of the game,” Foster said.

Originally born in Silver Spring, Maryland, Foster moved to the Land of 10,000 Lakes in the first grade.

“I didn’t start playing lacrosse until I got to Minnesota. No one in my family has ever played lacrosse, so I was kind of the first one,” Foster said.

With basketball roots in the family and the passion for something new, Foster said the basketball court shaped his skills on the lacrosse field.

Marquette men’s lacrosse head coach Andrew Stimmel said the basketball player in Foster fulfills Marquette’s dynamic of “be quick, but don’t hurry.”

“Will has this really unique style, which goes back to the basketball player he is and watching him the court. He’s got this deceptive quickness and under control style about him,” Stimmel said.

The transition to college lacrosse, like the sport itself, is something that cannot be rushed.

“Minnesota lacrosse is much different than Division 1, no doubt. It was a hard transition for sure, things move much faster, but we have a great coaching staff and great leaders, so that made it easier,” Foster said. Graduate student attack Garrett Moya said Foster isn’t a “well-rounded” athlete due to his “crazy balance” but instead is due to Foster’s work ethic.

“He’s an absolute stud lacrosse player. Everything he does is 110% and it shows. We are blessed to have him on the team,” Moya said.

In relation to his style of play, Foster’s development produced a quick (but not hurried) turn-around.

“His development over the fall to returning in the spring, it was very much night and day. He came back a more confident player,” Stimmel. “He didn’t worry about anyone seeing it, or posting it, he just went to work every single day and made himself a better player.”

Foster was initially supposed to play at the midfield position said Stimmel, but due to injuries on the team he was shifted to the starting attack position.

“Will has taken steps towards greatness that he wouldn’t have been able to do if everyone was healthy this year,” Moya said.

Despite playing almost exclusively midfield in the fall, Foster said the change in position means little when competition is big.

“I just love to compete. That’s something my mom and dad really instilled in me. I want to win, and I know everyone else in that locker room does too,” Foster said. “I’m similar both on and off the field. I’m much more of talker, no doubt, so that’s something I carry onto the field.”

Being vocal on the field is one thing. Being in Marquette’s Gold ‘n Blues a capella group is another. Foster tunes into both.

“Lowkey, he is an incredible singer. He’s got some hidden talents there,” Stimmel said.

Hidden until Foster was passed the microphone in “freshman bus karaoke,” Foster said that bus ride was the first chance his teammates got to hear him sing.

“He rocked that Bruno Mars song, ‘Count On Me,’ on a bus, with what had to be really bad acoustics. He absolutely crushed it,” Stimmel said. “Just like his lacrosse ability, he is extremely humble.

I would love for him to maybe not try out for American Idol until after he’s done playing lacrosse here (Marquette), but with his redhead-look and personality, I think he’s got a real chance at something special if he wants to take his life in that direction.”

Foster’s teammates often look back on the unexpected moment.

“I got the video of him singing his freshman karaoke, and sometimes when I’m down I’ll just put that on and suddenly I’m in a better mood,” Moya said.

Stimmel, a father of two, soon to be three, said Foster “‘orchestra-tes’ the Marquette offense, dad joke intended.”

All in all, “people want to be around Will,” Stimmel said. Moya also shared how easy it is to gravitate towards Foster.

“He’s someone that makes you smile no matter what, he’s everyone’s best friend,” Moya said.

Within his first season wearing blue and gold, Foster has been averaging a .526 shots on goal percentage and scoring in every game he has started for Marquette.

Of the six games the Golden Eagles have played so far this season, Foster has started in four. In these four games, Foster has put at least one in the net.

Moya said Foster “is going to be a part of the group that takes Marquette to the next level.”

Though Foster skillfully avoided speaking of his own accomplishments, the dedicated team player provides focus on the bigger picture.

“Right now it’s about getting better each day. As long as we get better every single day and be the best we can be, that what really matters,” Foster said.

From running the Minnesota high-school basketball courts, singing Bruno Mars melodies, to stepping up as a starting D1 lacrosse attacker, “Marquette is blessed to have Foster,” Moya said. And Stimmel sang a similar tune about the young athlete.

“We are very fortunate to have him and that he made the decision to come to Marquette. He has a very bright future, and it’s not just because of his skill or ability, but the type of person he is,” Stimmel said.

WOMEN’S LACROSSE

Michigan native seeing success after buying in

Junior ranks 10th in country with 19 assists in 10 games

By Kelly Reilly

kelly.reilly@marquette.edu

At the age 10 or 11, Mary Schumar never had the thought of playing lacrosse at the Division I level. In fact, the Grand Rapids, Michigan native had her eyes set on playing basketball at the next level.

However, that dream would soon be discovered to be unreachable.

“As I got older I realized that it wouldn’t be an option,” Schumar said.

The now-junior on the Marquette women’s lacrosse team said her high school lacrosse coach, Richard Axtell, was the part of reason why she chose to pursue the sport that played on grass instead of the one that calls the hardwood home.

“(He) kind of told me in eighth grade that I should go on the lacrosse route for college (and) ever since then I kind of just listened to it,” Schumar said.

During Schumar’s high school career, she said she did not have the type of facilitator role that she has now with the Golden Eagles. She said the role came on more during her transition from high school to college.

“I have embraced it more. I really wasn’t a big feeder in high school, but I’ve come to like it a lot,” Schumar said. “I still like to dodge and stuff but I think feeding just gives you a whole different excitement because you get to see the person’s reacting after they score and it’s so fun because you helped them score.”

Schumar started out her junior campaign in the blue and gold strong, racking up 14 assists in the team’s first five game which placed her third in the nation.

“(I) thought it was cool,” Schumar said. “It makes me happy that I can help others score goals, I think that is really exciting.”

As of March 21 Schumar is ranked 10th in the country with 19 assists through 10 games.

Graduate student attacker Kyra Lamotte said her and her teammates were not surprised to see this early success out of Schumar.

“When we saw that, we were all so ecstatic for her,” Lamotte said. “It’s such a huge accomplishment especially because we’re about halfway through the season and we can only go up from there with helping her get higher on that list.”

Like Lamotte, associate head coach Caitlin Wolf said she was not shocked to see the attacker’s ability to be a strong playmaker on the field and be recognized on the national stage.

“As a staff, we saw this pro-

Photos courtesy of Marquette Athletics

Junior attacker Mary Schumar (14) in Marquette’s 18-14 loss to UConn March 21, 2021 at Valley Fields.

gression for Mary. Last year, we had a lot of great attackers but she didn’t get the time to really create and produce as much as she is this year. Now kind of being in spotlight, having more time on the field and having deeper connections with the attackers she is able to produce easily,” Wolf said. “She definitely has earned the top five for assists.”

Wolf said Schumar is someone who embodies a team first mentality.

“Mary is definitely team oriented. She’s a goofball which makes her play well on the field and she plays with a lot of passion,” Wolf said. “She is good to do whatever is best for the team and that is what is so great about her. It is never about her, it’s always about the team and how she can help.”

Wolf said while the coaching staff was looking at Schumar in high school at East Grand Rapids, one of the reasons that made her stand out was her lacrosse IQ both on and off the field.

“What we noticed about Mary right away was that she had really good stick skills, really quick hands and she is just really smart. She (also) sees the field really well,” Wolf said. “Immediately we kind of saw that potential and wanted to be able to maximize her talents …. Facilitating and creating plays for our team is something that just comes so natural for her.”

Schumar said teammates like LaMotte and junior attacker Hannah Greving have helped her grow as a player, leading to her recent success.

In the 10 games this season, Schumar has recorded four or more assists in three contests and has only has four games without recording an assist.

Lamotte said she is looking forward to seeing and being a part of what Schumar will do in the remainder of this season.

“I am super excited just seeing what she has done this year, I can only imagine how she is going to be next year and as the season continues, how she is going to flourish and it’s going to be awesome to watch next year and this year in our BIG EAST tournament play.” Lamotte said.

Looking ahead, Wolf said that the coaching staff is always pushing her to be better and be a triple threat on offense.

“We are always pushing her to be dynamic, so that’s being a great feeder, which she is naturally, a great driver and a great cutter,” Wolf said. “She is really good at all those things, but we are focusing on all three and that’s what we tell all our players.”

John Leuzzi contributed to this story.

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MEN’S BASKETBALL

SEASON: UNC outrebounded MU 52-37

Continued from page 12

North Carolina handled the rebounding battle 52-37 led by Manek’s 11 and Armando Bacot’s 10. Fifteen of the Tar Heels’ rebounds came on the offensive glass.

“I knew we had a huge size advantage in the paint and just based on their statistics for the year, they weren’t a great rebounding team,” Bacot said. “That really gave us an advantage all throughout the game in the first half, doubling them in rebounds and just getting all the second-chance opportunities.”

Along with his 11 rebounds, Manek led the way for North Carolina in scoring with 28 points on 10-for-15 from the field. The Oklahoma transfer also finished with three assists and two blocks.

“You get guys that are threats on the floor and it really spaces out for everybody else,” Manek said. “I’m fortunate enough to be able to play with guards that like throwing me the ball so just finding the open spots and getting me those open looks, it really gets my confidence going.”

Prosper led the scoring for Marquette with 16 points on 6-for-10 shooting from the field and 4-for-8 shooting from beyond the arc. He also added three rebounds and a steal on the afternoon.

North Carolina forward Leaky Black played lock down defense on Lewis for majority of the afternoon, holding the BIG EAST Most Improved Player to just six points.

“Leaky Black is a heck of a defender. He’s as good as a defender as we’ve played against all year,” Smart said. “That being said, Justin missed a lot of shots he normally makes and we would take those shots for him any day of the week. It just wasn’t his day but, certainly, Leaky Black had a lot to do with that.”

Marquette ends its season with a 19-13 overall record and 11-8 BIG EAST record.

“We’re just getting started with what we’re trying to do at Marquette,” Smart said. “We’re going to use today as a major springboard moving forward.”

Photos courtesy of Marquette Athletics

Guard Darryl Morsell exchanges words with North Carolina guard Caleb Love (2) in the Tar Heels 95-63 win.

Morsell (32) brings the ball up the court against the Tar Heels in the Golden Eagles’s loss in Texas.