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Message: [QUOTE="Bone Dog, post: 4696246, member: 12088"] I’ll make this case for Nika’s killer instinct — even though I think Paige is the true killer on the team. My case for Nika is best exemplified in the game two seasons ago against Tennessee. We had a lead at half time, and in the first 5 minutes of the 3rd quarter Nika brought out a burst of defensive intensity, hit a 3, got a steal at mid court and scored again. Tennessee never recovered. It was the proverbial punch in the face. When they showed any signs of life after that, Azzi pressed her foot on their necks. That burst at the beginning of the 3rd is practically a Nika signature for me. It’s Nika time. In the past we’ve put games away in the first quarter or maybe the second. But that injury riddled year didn’t go that way and it was more often in the second half that we put games away. The following year was similar and we needed Nika’s fire for longer stretches. I expect next year we won’t need to lean on Nika so much. Paige and Azzi will end games in the first half, either by shooting the lights out or by keeping the double teams off Aaliyah & Co in the post. But I’m thankful that Nika was there when we needed her, and can be there again as needed. [/QUOTE]