LEAVENWORTH, Kan. – The Ottawa University women's basketball team fell 81-58 to the University of Saint Mary on Saturday afternoon at the Ryan Sport Center.

The Braves found themselves down early to the Spires, trailing 11-8 with 5:27 to go in the first quarter. Ottawa chipped away at the Spire lead and after baskets by Cierra Brown and Nicole Brown and two free throws from Janiyah Hendricks, Ottawa was within 15-12 with 2:46 left in the quarter.

That is the last time the Braves were able to put the ball through the net in the first quarter. The Spires scored their final three points of the quarter with 1:04 on the clock and took an 18-12 lead into the second.

Ottawa struggled defensively in the second quarter as USM outscored the Braves 31-14 to break the game wide open. Nicole Brown's basket with 8:06 left in the first half was OU's first points since the 2:46 mark in the first quarter. Ottawa was not able to cut the Saint Mary lead to single digits as the buzzer sounded and USM took a 49-26 lead into the locker room.

In the second half USM's 23 points half time lead was too much for OU to overcome and the Spires took the 81-58 victory.

Inside the Box Score

• Ottawa shot 30.2 percent from the floor, 15.4 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 70.6 percent from the free throw line.
• Nicole Brown and Cierra Brown led the Braves with 13 points apiece. Maria Moore finished the game with 10 points.

Who is Next
Ottawa (10-6, 6-4) returns to the hardwood on Wednesday, Jan. 11 against no. 16 Sterling College in Wilson Field House. Tip off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.