By Aaron Smith
PHILADELPHIA, PA. — Plain and simple usually go together.
That wasn’t the case for the University of Dayton women’s basketball team on Sunday afternoon.
With a trip to the Atlantic 10 championship game on the line, Dayton’s focus was plain: slow down Temple’s Shey Peddy.
Keeping the A10’s Player-of-the-Year in check, though, was anything but simple.
“We have so much respect for her,” said Dayton coach Jim Jabir. “You got to get to her early and crowd her.”
Peddy entered play Sunday averaging 17 points per game on 48 per cent shooting from the field. Earlier this season, she scored 21 on 8-0f-17 shooting as the Owls won at Dayton, 61-57.
“We had three goals,” Jabir explained. “One was to rebound on the offensive end. One was to take care of the ball, and one was to check Peddy.”
Dayton’s defense followed the plan holding Peddy without a basket for the first 17 minutes of the game.
“It was frustrating,” Peddy commented. “Wherever I was, they always had someone in my face. They did a good job containing me, making sure I had no open shots.”
Led by Cassie Sant, UD’s bench outscored Temple’s 17-7 as the Flyers grabbed a 36-29 lead at half.
Peddy connected from behind the three-point arc just before the break. It was the only time the senior guard hit from long range on the afternoon.
“I feel like I picked the worst day to have the worst game of my life,” Peddy continued. “My hat goes off to them.”
Peddy hit just three field goals in the second half finishing the afternoon 4-of-17 including 1-of-9 from long range.
Dayton’s defense came through in the game’s final minute. Down one at 64-63, Peddy drove left looking to score when the Flyers defense collapsed and forced her into a travel.
“No one person in our league can stop her,” Jabir explained. “We were going to play five on one. It wasn’t going to be a one-on-one deal with her. She’s too good.”
Justine Raterman led with 16, and Sant added 11 as the Flyers won 66-63. UD advances to Monday’s championship where they will play the number one seed St. Bonaventure Bonnies. Tip off at Michael J. Hagen ’85 Arena on the campus of St. Joseph’s University is scheduled for 5 p.m. The championship game will be broadcast on ESPN2.
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