Amie Van Deurzen made the most of the hand that she was dealt.
Over Christmas break, the Saint Louis University women’s basketball team was hit with a rash of injuries, leaving only eight players healthy. Van Deurzen, a sophomore forward, saw her situation quickly transform from a role player off the bench to a starting forward. She has appeared in 17 games, starting 10.
“I’m glad that she’s had the opportunity that she’s had. Without her, we wouldn’t have won the games we won when we had seven people,” said sophomore forward Angie Lewis, Van Deurzen’s partner in the frontcourt.
“When you come off the bench, you can give the team a spark if you need to,” said Van Deurzen. “When you start, you have to make an impact early.”
Van Deurzen moved into the starting lineup against the University of Missouri-Kansas City on Dec. 18 at the Bauman-Eberhardt Athletic Center. She responded with 11 points and three rebounds as the Billikens recorded a 61-43 victory. This began a string of three straight games and four games in five where she posted double-digit totals in scoring.
She scored 14 points and grabbed six rebounds against Kansas when the Billikens defeated the Jayhawks 73-61 on Dec. 22 at home. She followed that performance with a 17-point, 13-rebound effort in SLU’s 55-45 win over Idaho in the University of Montana Tournament in Missoula, Mont.
After a loss to Montana in the finals, Van Deurzen tallied 16 points and grabbed three rebounds against Austin Peay.
“Amie played well when she was called upon,” said coach Jill Pizzotti. “She provided us with a post player who can spot up. She did a great job playing when she had to, playing close to 40 minutes before the rest of the team got healthy.”
Van Deurzen, a native of Little Chute, Wisc., was able to start before her family and friends when the Billikens faced Marquette in Milwaukee two weeks ago.
“It’s always fun to play in front of people you know,” Van Deurzen said. “It would have been better if we would have won.”
Even though her role changed, she still has the same approach and the same goals.
“Preparing for the game is the same. The difference is when you get in the game,” Van Deurzen said. “You have to maintain consistent play and be effective.”
Van Deurzen and Lewis provide the Billikens with versatility and diversity inside. Lewis has been the focus in the paint, while Van Deurzen has been able to spot up and spread opponents’ defenses.
“I bring more of an outside game as opposed to a post game,” Van Deurzen said. “I’d rather play facing the basket than with my back to it. I can draw the defense out and open up the middle for Angie (Lewis) or anyone else. If she’s getting doubled, she can pass it out to me.”
“We complement each other well,” Lewis said. “She’s a better shooter and spots up well when I need to kick it out to her. We work well high-low together. She has a series of moves. She’s the most coordinated person on the team. She does the little things, diving on the floor and getting in the passing lanes.”
Even though Van Deurzen has been starting, she still desires to improve her game.
“I’ve been focusing on defense. I need to focus on rebounding and trapping at times. Offense will come from our defense,” Van Deurzen said.
Now that Conference USA play has begun, Van Deurzen has faced new challenges.
“The challenge for me is not being as big as some of the other post players in the conference,” Van Deurzen said. “Sometimes it’s hard for me to push them back. With not being as big, it’s easier to draw them away from the basket and drive when they aren’t as quick.”
