NORTH NEWTON, Kan. – The Ottawa University women's basketball team defeated Bethel College, 83-76, on Saturday afternoon in Thresher Gymnasium.
Ottawa had a 9-6 lead over Bethel in the opening minutes of the first quarter. After a Thresher timeout, Bethel put together a 10-2 run to take a 16-11 lead over the Braves.
OU rallied, retaking the lead 21-19 on a 3-pt field goal by
Katelyn Alatini with 40 seconds left in the quarter. Bethel quickly answered 20 seconds later with its fourth 3-pt field goal of the quarter and led 22-21 at the start of the second.
Bethel pushed its lead to eight points, 35-27 with 4:46 left in the half. Ottawa responded with a 12-2 run, taking a 39-37 lead on a basket by
Cierra Brown with 1:06 on the clock.
The teams exchanged baskets and Ottawa had a 41-40 lead with 14 seconds left in the first half. That lead did not last long. Bethel was able to retake the lead at the buzzer with its ninth 3-pt field goal of the half, taking a 43-41 lead into the locker room.
Bethel led for most of the third quarter. It was at the 4:50 mark, however, that Ottawa's defense stepped up and held the Threshers scoreless for two minutes and 13 seconds.
During that stretch, Ottawa was able to retake the lead and after a
Nicole Brown basket, led 57-52. Bethel cut OU's lead two three points on a couple of free throws but two free throws by
Nicole Brown gave OU a 59-54 lead at the start of the fourth.
At the start of the final quarter of play, Ottawa went on a 19-8 run. Bethel tried to rally and cut OU's lead to five points, 81-76, with 30 seconds to go in the game.
The Threshers were forced to foul, sending
Cierra Brown to the line. She made both free throws to give the Braves an 83-76 lead.
OU's defense came away with a stop and the missed shot attempt was rebounded by
Nicole Brown, her 10
th of the game. Ottawa got the ball across the timeline and ran out the clock to take the 83-76 victory.
Inside the Box Score
- Ottawa shot 44.4 percent from the floor, 38.9 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 76.9 percent from the free throw line.
- Nicole Brown recorded her ninth double-double of the season. She finished the game with 26 points and 10 rebounds. Brown also had two blocked shots.
- Cierra Brown scored 20 points and had eight rebounds. Seven of her eight rebounds were on the offensive glass.
- Jordan Bianco finished the game with 14 points. She was 4-for-8 from behind the arc.
- Janiyah Hendricks led OU with three steals.
- Bethel connected on nine first half 3-pt field goals. The Threshers had two in the second half.
Who is Next
Ottawa (13-9, 9-7) returns to Wilson Field House on Wednesday, February 1 against Friends University. Tip off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
