OTTAWA, Kan. – The Ottawa University women's basketball team fell short, 70-68, to Kansas Wesleyan University in Wilson Field House on Saturday evening.
Kansas Wesleyan had the early 8-1 lead over the Braves in the opening minutes of the first quarter. Ottawa chipped away at the Coyote lead and after a basket by
Janiyah Hendricks, the Braves lead 9-8 with 2:22 left in the quarter.
The Coyotes retook the lead and had a three point advantage, 14-11 with 18 seconds on the clock. OU was able to get the final basket of the quarter when
Nicole Brown found an open
Alyssa Guzman for the jumper and KWU took a 14-13 lead into the second.
OU picked up the defensive intensity in the second quarter, holding KWU to two points in the first four minutes of the period. Ottawa was able go on an 8-0 run and had a 21-16 lead. Kansas Wesleyan responded by ending the quarter on a 19-10 run, taking a 35-31 lead into the locker room.
Kansas Wesleyan increased its lead to double digits, 49-38, at the 3:57 mark in the third quarter. The Braves were able to cut the deficit to single digits in the final minutes of the third and KWU had a 51-43 lead at the start of the fourth.
In the fourth, Ottawa cut the KWU lead to 53-52 with 6:54 left in regulation. OU stayed with in striking distance and after two
Cierra Brown free throws with 29 seconds on the clock, Ottawa was within 68-66. The Braves were forced to foul, sending KWU to the free throw line.
The Coyotes missed both free throws and OU pushed the ball up the floor,
Cierra Brown was fouled. She made both free throws, tying the game at 68 all with 12 seconds on the clock.
Kansas Wesleyan called a time out to advance the ball to half court. KWU's LaMyah Ricks was fouled attacking the basket. She made both free throws with five seconds on the clock to give KWU the 70-68 lead. Hendricks pushed the ball up the floor and took a three, the shot bounced off the rim and Kansas Wesleyan took the 70-68 victory.
Inside the Box Score
- Ottawa shot 39.6 percent from the floor, 25 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 77.8 percent from the free throw line.
- Cierra Brown led the Braves with 24 points.
- Nicole Brown scored 18 points and pulled down 15 rebounds.
- Janiyah Hendricks led OU with four assists and two steals.
Who is Next
Ottawa (14-10, 10-8) is back in action on Monday, Feb. 6 on the road against York University in York, Neb. Game time is set for 5:00 p.m.
