Watched most of this game on the computer (which due to crappy connection kept going out, including at the very end.) Game demonstrated how brittle we are. Having Kat available might have turned this into a 25 point win --- rebounds, defense, points, understanding of the system, willingness to get down the floor on defense ....
Arike, Arike, Arike ... really fine in the first half ... but the main reason Clemson got back in it in the third period after we had our run. Almost consistently the last defender back. Muffet had to pull her again then.
Coach is desperate to find five players who she can count on playing as a team when the game gets dicey, playing hustle defense, and not just bull-in-and-hope on offense (once the opponent has partly figured you out). Lindsay: that's one; Marina: that's two; Kat: that's three; we must have Brianna as #4 --- then who? I've thought that it's Jackie, and I think that Coach thinks so too ... but Jackie still looks like a frosh sometimes, so we're brittle. Erin gets lost. Mychal actually had a panic play --- I was really surprised, and Muffet took her out. It would be SO nice if "five" was Arike.
So, we're brittle. Pray gentlemen that Kat is back and fully GO. Pray that Lindsay never gets into foul trouble. Pray that Brianna begins to snatch rebounds, not just tip them. Pray that Arike decides that it's not cool to be the last defender down the court. ... and for next year, pray that Jackie gets a little stronger --- Erin too for that matter.
...I note that our rebounding was led by Lindsay and Jackie --- that's who wants the ball in the meathouse. That's who the get-tough winners are.