SALINA, Kan. – The Ottawa University women's basketball team is moving on to the KCAC Tournament Semifinals after defeating Kansas Wesleyan University, 74-70, in Mabee Arena on Thursday night. Ottawa outscored the Coyotes 20-15 in the final quarter of play to take the four point victory.
Kansas Wesleyan took the early 9-6 lead over the Braves in the first quarter. Ottawa scored the next five points, taking an 11-9 lead on a 3-pt field goal by
Jayla Johnson with 2:57 on the clock. The Coyotes responded by ending the quarter on an 8-2 run, taking a 17-13 lead into the second.
KWU scored the first points of the second quarter to take a 19-13 lead over the Braves. Five straight points by
Nicole Brown and a 3-pt field goal by
Katelyn Alatini gave OU a 21-19 lead. The Coyotes retook the lead with an 8-4 run and led 29-23 lead with 4:02 left in the half.
The Braves responded to KWU's run with one of their own. OU ended the half by outscoring the Coyotes 14-7 to take a 37-36 lead, on a
Cierra Brown jumper, into the locker room.
Ottawa held the lead for most of the third quarter, increasing it to seven points, 53-46, on a basket by
Janiyah Hendricks. KWU responded by ending the third on a 9-1 run to take a 55-54 lead over the Braves in to the fourth.
A 3-pt field goal by
Cierra Brown gave OU a 57-55 lead at the start of the final quarter of play. KWU retook the lead, scoring the next six points to take a 61-57 lead over OU with 8:39 left in regulation.
Johnson's 3-pt field goal and a basket by
Nicole Brown gave OU a 62-61 lead. KWU retook the lead, 63-62 but OU reeled off the next eight points, taking a 70-63 lead on a 3-pt field goal by Johnson with 3:02 left in the game.
KWU rallied, cutting OU's lead to two points, 70-68, with 51 seconds on the clock. After a time out by the Braves,
Nicole Brown hit a basket in the lane to give OU a four point lead, 72-68, with 38 seconds left in regulation.
The Braves fouled on KWU's next offensive possession and the Coyotes made both free throws to get within 72-70 with 16 seconds on the clock. The Coyotes were forced to foul, sending Alatini to the free throw line. She made one of two free throws, giving OU a 73-70 lead with eight seconds left in the contest.
After a time out by the Coyotes, KWU inbounded the ball at half court and Kansas Wesleyan's Jill Stephens' 3-pt attempt was no good and Ottawa took over with three seconds on the clock. The Coyotes fouled
Cierra Brown and she made one of two free throws to give OU a 74-70 lead. Ottawa didn't allow KWU to get a shot attempt off in the final seconds of the game, taking the 74-70 victory.
Inside the Box Score
- Ottawa shot 41.9 percent from the floor, 42.9 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 65 percent from the free throw line.
- Nicole Brown recorded her 16th double-double this season and her eighth in a row, scoring 23 points and pulling down 12 rebounds.
- Jayla Johnson scored 18 points, Janiyah Hendricks finished with 12 points, and Cierra Brown scored 10 points.
- Maria Moore led OU with five assists, Nicole Brown had three blocks, and Johnson finished the game with three steals.
Who is Next
Ottawa (18-11) will now host Friends University on Saturday, Feb. 25 in Wilson Field House in the KCAC Tournament Semifinals. Tip off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
Game Notes: Ottawa's win in Mabee Arena is the Braves first since Feb. 13, 2016 when OU defeated KWU 67-56 … The Braves are 2-15 all-time in Mabee Arena against KWU … OU's 18 victories are the most since the Braves won since the 2016-2017 season … This is the Braves first KCAC Tournament Semifinal appearance since the 2015-16 season when OU played Friends University in Wichita on Feb. 27, 2016, defeating the Falcons 71-63 … It will be the first time since the 2006-07 season that OU will host a KCAC WBB Tournament Semifinal game in Wilson Field House … Ottawa defeated Tabor College on Feb. 24, 2007 in Wilson Field House, 75-55, in the KCAC Semifinals.
