Stephens College Basketball
Stars Headlines
McConnell Receives All-Conference Honors
March 7, 2013
Stephens Star senior Jess McConnell has earned 2012-2013 Honorable Mention All-Conference honors. This season, she averaged 10 points and three assists per game. McConnell also shot a precise 89% from the free-throw line (ranking #2 in the nation). Over her entire collegiate career, she scored 836 points.
Stars Lose in First Round of AMC Tournament
Monday, February 25, 2013
PARKVILLE, Mo. – In the first round of the American Midwest basketball tournament, the Stars (the No. 9 seed) lost 50-65 to the Pirates of Park University (the No. 8 seed). The game was held at 2 p.m. at Park University on Feb. 25.
The Stars were led by their two seniors: Andie Young had 14 points and four rebounds, and Jess McConnell, added 10 points and seven rebounds.
Stephens finishes the season with a 7-23 overall record (4-14 in AMC play).
Stephens Falls Short Against Park
Sunday, February, 24, 2013
PARKVILLE, Mo. – In the regular season finale, the Stars (7-22, 4-14) fell 47-53 to the Pirates of Park University (10-17, 7-11) on Sunday, Feb. 24, in Parkville, Mo.
Jess McConnell led the Stars with 18 points and two rebounds while Andie Young also reached double figures with 10 points and five rebounds.
The two teams will meet again tomorrow, Monday, Feb. 25, at 2 p.m. at Park University in the AMC Tournament First Round with the winner advancing to face the No. 1 seed, Columbia College. The start time was moved up in preparation of another winter storm in the area.
Stars Fall to Scots
Saturday, February, 23, 2013
BATESVILLE, Ark. – The Stars (7-21, 4-13) fell 47-95 to the 17th-ranked Scots of Lyon College (27-3, 17-1) on Saturday, Feb. 23, in Batesville, Ark. The Stars were held to 25% shooting from the field while the Scots shot 55% for the game.
Dana Heggemann and Natalie Williams led the Stars in scoring with eight points each, while Kelsey Creed added seven points.
Next up: Tomorrow Stephens heads to Park University for a make-up game at 5 p.m. to close out the regular season. The game was rescheduled from Thursday evening due to increment weather.
Stars Lose on Senior Day
Saturday, February 16, 2013
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Stars (7-20, 4-12) fell 57-71 to the 23rd-ranked Owls of William Woods University (22-4, 13-3) on Saturday, Feb. 16, in Silverthorne Arena. Seniors Andie Young, a forward from Bosworth, Mo., and Jess McConnell, a guard from Edwardsville, Ill., were recognized during a pre-game Senior Day ceremony.
The Stars hung with the Owls in the first half, shooting 46% (5 of 11) from 3-point range and 39% (12 of 31) from the field. Stephens went into half time trailing by three (31-34).
In the second half, the teams played each other close, with Stephens grabbing the lead on several occasions. However, the Owls went on an 11-point run that was too much for the Stars to overcome.
Stephens was led in scoring by freshman Natalie Williams, 16 points and six rebounds; and senior Jess McConnell, nine points and six rebounds.
Next week, the Stars will wrap up the regular season with two road games: a match-up with Park University on Thursday, Feb. 21, and a game against Lyon College on Saturday, Feb. 23.
Stars Win Second Straight Game
Thursday, February 14, 2013
ST. LOUIS, Mo.—The Stephens Stars (7-19, 4-11) won their second consecutive game against the Hornets of Harris-Stowe University (8-19, 5-10) on Thursday, Feb. 14. The Stars were led by senior Jess McConnell with 20 points, six rebounds and five assists. Sophomore Logan Blagg added 18 points of her own while freshman Natalie Williams was the third Star to score in double digits with 15 points as well as five rebounds.
The Stars return home for Senior Day against the 23rd-ranked William Woods University Owls on Saturday, Feb. 16. Tip time is set for 2 p.m.
Stars Record Victory Against Bulldogs
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Stephens Stars (6-19, 3-11) won 50-40 against the Bulldogs of Benedictine at Springfield (3-21, 0-14) on Tuesday, Feb. 12, in Silverthorne Arena. The Stars jumped to a quick start against the Bulldogs, who remain winless in AMC play. Stephens went on a 13-2 run to start the game, holding Benedictine to only two field goals in the first 12 minutes. A balanced offensive attack by Stephens included scoring by seven players (freshman Kelsey Creed, senior Andie Young, freshman Natalie Williams, sophomore Taylor Payne, sophomore Haley Kahrs, junior Davielle McCoy and sophomore Logan Blagg) in the first half. The Stars entered half time with a 15-point lead, 23-8.
In the second half, the Bulldogs drew to within eight points before the Stars stretched the lead to 20 points at one point. The Stars shot 32% from the field for the game.
Payne led the Stars with 10 points (including two 3-pointers) and six rebounds. Blagg had nine points (three 3-pointers) while Young and junior Jenna Zmyslony both added eight points.
Next up: The Stars play on the road against Harris-Stowe State University on Thursday, Feb. 14. Tip time is at 7 p.m.
Stephens Loses to Columbia College
Saturday, February 9, 2013
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Stephens Stars (5-19, 2-11) lost 64-85 to the 17th-ranked Cougars of Columbia College (20-5, 13-0) on the road on Saturday, Feb. 9. Despite the 21-point defeat, the Stars cut the lead to 10 points twice in the second half. However, Columbia’s hot 3-point shooting (45.8% on the game) proved too much for Stephens to overcome.
Senior Jess McConnell led the Stars with 15 points and five rebounds. Two other players (freshman Natalie Williams, 13 points and six rebounds; and sophomore Haley Kahrs, 10 points and four rebounds) also reached double-figures.
The Stars return home for a contest against Benedictine University at Springfield, who has yet to win in AMC play, on Tuesday, Feb. 12. Tip time is 7 p.m.
Stars Defeated by Eagles
Thursday, February 7, 2013
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Stephens Stars (5-18, 2-10) fell to Williams Baptist College (13-11, 6-6) 52-62 in Silverthorne Arena on Feb. 7. The Stars started out slow offensively without recording a field goal until just under the 10-minute mark of the first half when sophomore Hayley Kahrs made a layup. At that point, the Stars were losing 6-16. The score sparked a six-point run before the Eagles went on a seven-point spurt of their own and finished the half leading 32-18.
In the second half, the Stars fought back to within five points with strong efforts by freshman Natalie Williams, who finished with a team high 18 points; and senior Jess McConnell, who recorded 10 of her own. Sophomore Haley Kahrs and freshman Dana Heggemann each added seven points for the game.
Stephens returns to action against Columbia College at Columbia College on Saturday. Tip time is at 2 p.m.
Stars Fall to Spartans
Saturday, February 2, 2013
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Stephens Stars (5-17, 2-9) lost 41-64 to the Spartans of Missouri Baptist University (9-14, 6-5) on the road Saturday, Feb. 2. The Stars struggled offensively, shooting 16.4% from the field for the game. Stephens sophomore guard Haley Kahrs led the team with 15 points.
After two road games this week, the Stephens basketball team returns home to play Williams Baptist University on Thursday, Feb. 7. Tip time is set for 7 p.m.
Stars Record Road Victory
Thursday, January 31, 2013
The Stephens Stars (5-16, 2-8) recorded its second conference victory in a 49-40 victory on the road to Hannibal-LaGrange University (11-10, 4-6). Stephens was led by freshman Natalie Williams with 13 points and nine rebounds with senior Jess McConnell and sophomore Taylor Payne each adding eight points. The Stars shot 41.9% from the field while holding the Trojans to 25.8% shooting.
Stephens fought back from a 19-26 half-time deficient to secure the win.
Next up: The Stars head to Missouri Baptist University for a 2 p.m. game on Saturday, Feb. 2.
Stars Raise Cancer Awareness in Loss to Scots
Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Stephens Stars (4-16, 1-8) fell 31-56 to the Scots of Lyon College (18-3, 8-1), ranked 18th nationally, on Saturday, Jan. 26 in Silverthorne Arena.
The Stars basketball team played the Coaches vs Cancer game in honor and support of Kathy Stirmlinger, the mother of sophomore guard Sam Stirmlinger, who is battling breast cancer. As part of the annual national Suits and Sneakers weekend, coaches wore sneakers with their suits to raise awareness and money for the Coaches vs Cancer program. Pink shirts were available for purchase during the game, with proceeds benefiting the NAIA Coaches Against Cancer program.
Stephens was held to 13.7% shooting from the field in the game. Senior Jessica McConnell led the team with eight points and nine rebounds while freshman Dana Heggemann and sophomore Haley Kahrs both contributed six points each.
The Stars go on the road next to take on Hannibal-LaGrange University on Thursday, Jan. 31.
Stars Defeated by Park University
Thursday, January 24, 2013
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Stephens Stars (4-14,1-6) met the Park University Pirates (5-11, 2-5) in an AMC match-up on Thursday, Jan. 24 in Silverthorne Arena.
Following a slow start offensively, the Stars built an eight-point lead, going on a 10-0 run at one point. The Stars went into half time leading 31-23. The Stars shot well from 3-point range in the first half (56%) with four players (Kelsey Creed, Natalie Williams, Haley Kahrs and Logan Blagg) recording treys.
The second half began with the Pirates going on a run of their own, drawing to within two points. After Stephens built a nine-point lead, Park went to work chipping away and regained the lead at 49-51. The Stars had no answer and ultimately fell in defeat 53-63.
The Stars were led by senior Jessica McConnell (10 points, six rebounds) and freshman Dana Heggemann (nine points, seven rebounds).
With the loss, Stephens falls to 4-15 overall and 1-7 in conference play. The Stars return to action in the Coaches vs Cancer game against Lyon College on Saturday in Silverthorne. The game is set to tip off at 2 p.m.
Stars Fall Short Against William Woods
Saturday, January 19, 2003
FULTON, Mo. — In Saturday’s road contest, the Stephens Stars (4-13, 1-5) matched up against the William Woods University Owls (14-2, 5-1), who sits second atop the AMC. The Stars fell behind by as many as 25 points with 4:34 to go in the second half. However, the Stars—led by freshman Kelsey Creed (who finished as the Stars’ top scorer with 17 points) came storming back to within nine with the strong play of the rest of the team on both ends of the court. Jessica McConnell added 15 points, eight rebounds, and Taylor Payne added 12 points of her own.
The rally fell short with the Stars falling 66-75 to the Owls. With the loss, the Stars drop to 4-14, 1-6 in conference play. The Stars play next at home against Park University on Thursday, Jan. 24. Tip time is set for 7 p.m.
Stars Lose in Hard-fought Game
Thursday, January 17, 2003
COLUMBIA, Mo. — The Stars (4-12, 1-4) took on the Hornets of Harris-Stowe University (4-13, 1-4) in a hard-fought conference game in Silverthorne Arena. Freshman Kelsey Creed scored the first field goal, and the Stars led the entire first half ending 27-22. Sophomore Haley Kahrs led the Stars in the first half with seven points and five rebounds.
The Hornets returned from halftime with renewed focus and tied the game at 32 points with 14:00 left. The Stars came within one point twice, but never caught up. The Hornets shot 67% in the second half and 60% from 3-point range.
Stars scoring leaders were senior Jess McConnell with 13 (6 rebounds, 3 assists), Sophomore Taylor Payne with 9 (2 rebounds, 2 assists), and Junior Jenna Zmyslony with 8 (3 rebounds). Overall, the team shot 40% and 30% from beyond the arc.
Coach Chris Duncan said his young team learned a lot as they continue to build for the future.
Next up: Stephens @ William Woods University in Fulton, 2 p.m. Saturday.
Next home game: Stephens vs. Park University next Thursday, Jan. 24 at 7 p.m.
Stephens Defeats Benedictine in Conference Play
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Springfield, Ill. —The Stephens College basketball team defeated the Benedictine University of Springfield, Ill., Bulldogs last night 66-48. The Stars trailed by two to start but quickly bounced back and never relinquished the lead for the rest of the game. Dana Heggeman led with 16, Natalie Williams had 12 and Jessica McConnell had 12 points, eight rebounds and nine assists.
The Stars are back in action Thursday against Harris-Stowe at home.
Stars Put Up Good Fight Against Cougars
Saturday, January 12, 2013
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Silverthorne Arena was packed this afternoon for the Stephens Stars (3-11, 0-3) matchup against the Columbia College Cougars (10-5, 3-0). It was Head Coach Chris Duncan’s first game against his former home team and alma mater. The Stars fell to the Cougars 63-43, but Coach Duncan was pleased with his young team’s play.
“The team is really close to getting going,” he said after the game. “They fought hard.”
The Cougars started the game with a 4-0 run, but freshman Kelsey Creed scored the first field goal with a 3-point shot to tie the game. The physical Cougars then went on a 7-0 run making the score 11-4 with 13:15 left in the first half. Sophomore Logan Blagg ended the run and gave the Stars a burst with a 3-point shot, her first of three from beyond the arc. The half ended with the Cougars up 30-20.
Freshman Dana Heggeman scored the first points of the second half with an energetic layup, and sophomore Taylor Payne followed with a quick 3-pointer closing the gap to five. Cougars Head Coach Mike Davis was called for a technical foul for arguing an out-of-bounds call against the Cougars, and senior Jessica McConnell shot two free throws to narrow the gap to three. It was the closest the Stars would come to catching the Cougars.
A mid-second-half run brought the Stars within seven again, but a series of turnovers and missed shots kept Stephens from getting back in the game.
The Stars never lost their energy against their cross-town opponent. Freshman Natalie Williams and Blagg tied as the Stars’ scoring leaders with 10 points each. McConnell and sophomore Sam Stirmlinger each had six rebounds. The Stars dominated the boards with 42 rebounds to the Cougars’ 33.
Duncan credits Coach Davis for teaching him a lot about coaching, most importantly respecting the players and having faith in them. He said he looks forward to playing his former team twice each year as he grows an exciting basketball program at Stephens.
Stars Fall to Missouri Baptist University 57-63
Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Stephens College lost 57-63 to Missouri Baptist University on Saturday, Jan. 5 in Silverthorne Arena. The Stars jumped to a quick 10-2 start, with Jessica McConnell recording eight early points. However, Missouri Baptist went on a 12-point run and never looked back. With the loss, Stephens’ record is 3-10 (0-2 in AMC play).
McConnell finished as the team’s top scorer with 16 points as well as four rebounds and five assists. Sam Stirmlinger was the Stars’ second-leading scorer with 11 points and six rebounds.
Stephens returns to action next on Jan. 10 with a road game at Williams Baptist College in Walnut Ridge, Ark. Tip time is set for 7 p.m.
Stephens Opens AMC Play with 50-63 Defeat
Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013
COLUMBIA, Mo. —After being away from competition since Dec. 16, the Stephens Basketball team opened American Midwest Conference play against Hannibal-LaGrange on Thursday, Jan. 3 in Silverthorne Arena. Stephens lost 50-63, dropping its overall record to 3-9. The Stars came to within four twice in the second half before the Trojans pulled away for a 13-point victory.
The Stars were led by Taylor Payne, 11 points, five rebounds; and Jessica McConnell (pictured right), 10 points, three rebounds. The bench accounted for 27 points.
Stephens’ next contest is at home on Saturday, Jan. 5 against Missouri Baptist University. Tip time is set for 2 p.m.
