HASTINGS, Neb. – The Ottawa University women's basketball team fell just short to Midland University, 71-70, on Friday afternoon at the Hastings Classic held in Lynn Farrell Arena.
Ottawa struggled to score in the first quarter and found itself down early to the Warriors, 7-2. Back-to-back baskets by
Nicole Brown cut the deficit to 7-6 with 2:49 to go in the first quarter. The teams exchanged baskets and after a 3-pt field goal by
Cierra Brown, OU was within 13-11. Midland held the Braves to two points in the final two minutes of the first and took a 18-13 lead into the second.
The Braves chipped away at the Midland lead in the second quarter. An old fashioned 3-pt play by
Hailey Henry put OU with in two points, 23-21 at the 5:20 mark. The Warriors responded with a mini-run, 6-2, to take a 29-23 lead. Free throws by Katleyn Alatini put OU within 29-25 with 1:12 on the clock. Midland scored on a layup with 59 seconds left in the half to take a 31-25 lead. Ottawa answered with a basket by
Nicole Brown to get within four, 31-27. Midland, however, was able to finish the half with a 3-pt play, taking a 34-27 lead into the locker room.
Ottawa opened the second half by cutting Midland's lead to four points, 36-32. The Warriors answered by increasing its lead to 45-36 with 5:06 left in the third quarter. Ottawa rallied and after two straight 3-pt field goals by
Jayla Johnson, OU had tied the game 47-47 with 2:14 on the clock.
After a defensive stop by the Braves, OU took its first lead of the game.
Nicole Brown hit a jumper to give OU a 49-47 lead with 1:08 left in the third. Midland retook the lead on its next offensive possession on a three, 50-49. Ottawa responded with a jumper by Johnson, taking a 51-50 lead into the fourth.
Midland opened the fourth quarter with four straight points to retake the lead, 54-51. Ottawa retook the lead on free throws by
Nicole Brown and then a layup by
Cierra Brown, 55-54. A layup by Midland with 6:26 to go in regulation gave the Warriors a 56-55 lead.
A minute later, Ottawa retook the lead on a
Nicole Brown jumper, 57-56. A 3-pt field goal by
Jordan Bianco gave the Braves a 60-56 lead with 4:16 on the clock. Midland quickly answered with a three of its own, cutting OU's lead to 60-59.
The teams continued to exchange baskets and OU had a 70-67 lead with 1:05 on the clock after a layup by
Maria Moore. The Braves fouled Midland with 38 seconds on the clock the Warriors made both free throws to get with in 70-69.
OU attacked the rim with 32 seconds on the clock. The shot by
Janiyah Hendricks rolled off the rim and Midland grabbed the rebound. After a timeout, Midland tried to lob the ball into the post and
Nicole Brown knocked the ball away with five seconds on the clock.
Midland was able to inbound the ball to Erin Prusa. She was fouled going to the basket with one second on the clock. Prusa made both of her free throws, giving Midland the 71-70 lead. After a timeout by the Braves to advance the ball,
Cierra Brown received the ball on the throw in. Her shot was short, and Midland took the 71-70 victory.
Inside the Box Score
- In the final five minutes of the game, three of Midland's final four field goals were threes.
- Midland attempted 13 free throws in the first half. In the second, Ottawa kept the Warriors off the line with MU only attempting six shots from the charity stripe.
- Ottawa shot 49.1 percent from the floor, 40 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 75 percent from the free throw line.
- Nicole Brown recorded her second straight double-double, finishing with 18 points and 13 rebounds. She also had three blocks and one steal.
- Cierra Brown came off the bench to score 14 points.
- Ahoneste Walker and Janiyah Hendricks led OU with three assists apiece.
Who is Next
Ottawa (1-1) will play Hastings College on Saturday, Nov. 5 in its final game of the Hastings Classic. Tip off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
