Against Clarion, Brooke Hinderliter was able to inch closer to the all-time points record as she dropped 30 points and helped get The Rock back into the win column. The Rock was finally able to hold onto a game, as in their past two contests they have been in it throughout the whole game against two of the best teams in the PSAC West.
On her path to claim the scoring record, Hinderliter broke the all-time free throw record as she knocked down 13 of 15 free throws. The record was held by Heather Kearney, who had made 460 free throws in her time at The Rock. Kearney also holds the current all-time points record.
“When Brooke Hinderliter is locked in like she was tonight, we are hard to beat. I don’t know her average in our wins this season, but I can tell you when she is locked in and rebounds like she did, we are tough to beat across the board,” Rock coach Bobby McGraw said. In every Rock win this season, Hinderliter has scored at least 19 points and has now scored 30 or more in three wins.
The Rock also dominated the glass, as they out rebounded the Golden Eagles 47-34 with LeeAnn Gibson grabbing 15 boards. Gibson also put up 15 points while shooting 50% from the field. The Rock also received a big contribution from Karington Ketterer, who dropped 11 points and recorded six rebounds.
“The one thing I can say about this basketball team is they bounce back better than any team I’ve ever coached. Three things I can tell you about this team: they’re great students, great kids, and bounce back immediately,” McGraw said.
The Rock started the game out slow and Clarion was able to capitalize on that opportunity, as they went up 12-6. The Golden Eagle’s Emily Hegedus started the game out 2 for 2 from three, but cooled off after her first two shots and only converted one more field goal in the game and shot 3-7 overall. After that The Rock went on a 15-0 run, and led 21-12.
“It felt tremendous [to win in a blowout], because it is hard to win basketball games at the division one and two levels night in and night out, every victory should be celebrated. I don’t care if you’re first in the west or ninth in the west,” Coach McGraw said. The win was only the Rock’s sixth win this season.
The Rock will look to carry their momentum into their matchup on Saturday against the No. 5 team in the nation, the IUP Crimson Hawks. Earlier in the season, The Rock lost to IUP 81-39. In that loss, Hinderliter accounted for one-third of Slippery Rock’s points.
“It’s going to be a little more difficult to get the looks we did today against IUP, but anytime you move the ball and spread it around like we did, it always helps carry over. I don’t care if you’re playing the Cleveland Cavaliers or IUP, so we definitely needed this heading into IUP,” McGraw said.
