LIBERTY, Mo. – The Ottawa University women's basketball team defeated NCAA Division II opponent William Jewell College, 63-62, in an exhibition contest on Friday night at the Mabee Center. The win was OU's first over the Cardinals since Nov. 8, 2005 and its first win in Liberty, Mo. against WJC. The win snaps OU's six game losing streak against William Jewell.
Ottawa was down early to William Jewell, trailing 8-2 to the Cardinals with 8:26 to go in the first quarter. OU went on a 9-3 run, tying the game at 11-11 on a
Katelyn Alatini 3-pt field goal. William Jewell responded by ending the quarter on an 8-2 run, taking a 19-13 lead into the second.
William Jewell opened the second quarter with a 3-pt field goal, pushing its lead to 22-13. Free throws by
Jayla Johnson and a basket by
Nicole Brown cut the deficit to 22-17 with 7:39 left in the half.
Ottawa stayed within striking distance and was within 31-25. The Braves offense picked up the scoring in the minutes of the second quarter. OU ended the half on a 10-0 run, taking a 35-31 lead into the locker room.
The Braves outscored WJC in the third quarter, 19-8 and continued with its run that started in the second quarter. With 4:32 left in the third, Ottawa's run was 23-2 and the Braves had a 48-33 lead over the Cardinals.
A basket by Henry pushed the OU lead to 16 points, 50-34. William Jewell chipped away at the OU lead and cut it to 11 points, 50-39 with 2:26 on the clock. Ottawa scored the final four points of the third quarter, two free throws from
Cierra Brown and a basket by
Nicole Brown, to take a 54-39 lead into the fourth.
In the final quarter of play, it was OU's turn to struggle offensively. Ottawa was outscored 23-9 by WJC and had 10 turnovers in the quarter.
Janiyah Hendricks scored the first basket for OU in the fourth, giving the Braves a 56-39 lead.
The Cardinals went on a 10-0 run and cut OU's lead to seven points, 56-49, with 5:02 left in regulation. A 3-pt field goal by
Cierra Brown pushed the Brave lead back to double digits, 59-49.
William Jewell answered with a 10-2 run and were within 61-59 with 1:15 left in the game. Both teams came up empty on their next offensive possessions and OU had the ball with 31 seconds on the clock. WJC fouled the Braves four straight times and on the fourth foul, sent
Nicole Brown to the free throw line.
Nicole Brown made both free throws, giving the Braves a 63-59 lead with 14 seconds on the clock. The Cardinals were not able to get a shot off until a few ticks on the clock before the buzzer went off. The 3-pt field goal by WJC was good but it wasn't enough as the Braves took the 63-62 victory.
Inside the Box Score
- Ottawa shot 46.9 percent from the floor, 35.3 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 91.7 percent from the free throw line.
- Nicole Brown finished the game with a double-double, 18 points and 19 rebounds. She also had six blocks. It is the second time this season that she has pulled down 19 boards.
- Katelyn Alatini came off the bench to score 14 points and Maria Moore scored 10 points.
- Janiyah Hendricks led OU with six assists.
Who is Next
Ottawa (9-5) returns to the court on Tuesday, Jan. 3 in a non-conference game against Manhattan Christian College in Wilson Field House. Game time is set for 5:30 p.m.
