Rosten and Baston lead the way in scoring for Scots, teams fall

On Feb. 11, McComb Fieldhouse hosted its annual Make-A- Wish event, inviting in Indiana University of Pennsylvania for men’s and women’s basketball. Both teams would be riding losing streaks, hoping some home cooking was all they needed to pull out a win.

The night started with the women, a team that’s shown the capability to play with any other in the conference. Following their 16-game winning streak near the beginning of the season, the Scots have gone just 2-4 since, bringing their record for the year to 18-6.

Their game against IUP would be a tough one to swallow, as they fell, 79-63. After falling behind early, the women had difficulties getting back into the contest. Katie Fischer and Michelle Jahn were a combined 8-25, or 32 percent shooting from the field.

Full-court pressure applied by IUP kept the Edinboro offense uneasy, forcing the star guards to work earlier rather than later just to get into their half-court sets.

Ending the second quarter with a splash, both Fisher and Jahn would make a push, Fisher drawing a charge and Jahn with a corner three to keep the game within 10 points.

Ciara Rosten’s presence in the post and Lindsey Jahn’s defensive performance off the bench was the recipe throughout the second half. Lindsey Jahn took over, drawing charge after charge, changing the pace of the game for the remainder of the half. As the third closed out, Fisher and Michelle Jahn made their mark once again, as Fisher hit a three herself and Jahn made a diving save for a loose ball.

A late push from the Scots ending in a Rosten up-and- under would bring the Scots to within six points, the closest they had been all game. But once again, like she seemed to have done all night, IUP’s number five, Carolyn Appleby made a three to extend IUP’s lead. Appleby would finish the night with 23 points on over 50 percent from the field.

The men would face a similar fate in the following game as they fell to IUP, 91-76. Despite the loss, Maceo Baston continued his improvement, putting up a field goal percentage of over 75 percent on the way to 24 points.

Baston picked his spots, weaving in and out through the paint, working his floater and mid-range jumper. Possessing the size and skills for a elite swingman, Baston used his quickness expertly. On a specific play during the first quarter (where he single handedly kept the team in the game), Baston demonstrated the patience that makes him the scorer that he has shown he can be, as he slithered into the paint, nulled a defender to sleep, and raised for the f loater.

As the season has gone on, Jaymon Mason has been the obvious offensive leader of the team, but even when Baston or sharpshooter Sheldon Brogdon have came up big, others have seemed to have an off night.

It was a night that saw the Scots trail throughout. A final push was made in the fourth where they scored nine straight points, but unfortunately, it wouldn’t be enough as IUP closed them out. The fourth ranked Crimson Hawks continue their season, looking to make a real impact on the division II national scene.

Mikael Anderson returned after a minor injury earlier this season, helping to bolster the forward position where he spends most of his time playing the three and the four. 

Mike Lantinen is a sports editor for The Spectator. He can be reached at spectator.sports@gmail.com