OTTAWA, Kan.  – The Ottawa University women's basketball team's season ended on Saturday night in the KCAC Tournament Semifinals with a 57-52 loss to Friends University in Wilson Field House.

Quarter no. 1 went back and forth. A basket by Cierra Brown gave OU a 10-8 lead with 3:44 left in the quarter. The Falcons scored the next four points, taking a 12-10 lead over the Braves. Ottawa answered with a 3-pt field goal from Katelyn Alatini to give OU a 13-12 lead at the end of the first.

A 3-pt field goal by Cierra Brown and two Nicole Brown free throws increased the OU lead to 18-14 with 7:51 left in the half. Friends responded with four straight points tying the game at 18 all. The teams continued to exchange baskets and with 12 seconds on the clock, the game was tied for the seventh time at 26 all. Friends' Kassie Kinniburg hit a baseline jumper at the buzzer, giving the Falcons a 28-26 lead at the half.

Friends scored the first five points of the second half to take a 33-26 lead. Ottawa chipped away at the Falcon lead and after two free throws by Alyssa Guzman, OU was within three points, 37-34 with 6:39 left in the third.

The Falcons went on a mini run, 9-4, to take a 46-38 lead over OU. A 3-pt field goal by Alatini cut the deficit to five points, 46-41, at the 1:36 mark. Friends was able to score the final basket of the quarter, taking a 48-41 lead into the fourth.

Friends pushed its lead to double digits at the start of the fourth, 51-41. Ottawa again cut into the Falcon lead and was within five points, 51-46, after a Cierra Brown free throw.

The Falcons pushed their lead to eight points and again OU chipped away, this time cutting it to three points, 56-52, after two Maria Moore free throws. The Braves were forced to foul and Friends made one of two free throws, Ottawa was not able to extend the game and  Friends took the 57-52 victory.

Inside the Box Score

• Ottawa shot 25.4 percent from the floor, 21.4 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 71.4 percent from the free throw line.
• Nicole Brown led OU with a double-double. She scored 14 points and pulled down 14 rebounds.
• Cierra Brown was the other Brave in double figures. She scored 12 points and led OU with three assists.
• Alyssa Guzman led OU with three steals.
• Ottawa forced 22 Falcon turnovers but were only able to score 19 points off those turnovers.

Ottawa ends its season with a record of 18-12, a sixth place finish in the KCAC with a record of 13-9. OU's 18 wins are the most since 2016-17 and the Braves played in its first KCAC Tournament semifinals since the 2015-16 season.