KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Ottawa University women's basketball team defeated Avila University, 79-52, on Wednesday night in Mabee Field House. The win is OU's 16^th of the season.

Ottawa opened the first quarter on a 14-4 run. Avila responded with a run of its own, 14-3, taking an 18-17 lead with 48 seconds left in the first. OU retook the lead on free throws by Alyssa Guzman and Cierra Brown, 21-18. Avila was able to score the final basket of the quarter, cutting OU's lead to 21-20.

The Eagles took the lead once more and led 27-23 with 7:33 on the clock. Five straight points by the Braves, ending in a 3-pt play by Katelyn Alatini, gave OU a 28-27 lead with 5:35 on the clock.
AU scored five straight of its own and had a 32-28 lead over OU. Ottawa put together another run, this one 13-4, to take a 41-36 lead at the 1:12 mark on a 3-pt field goal by Janiyah Hendricks.

Like at the end of the first, Avila was able to get the final basket of the quarter and Ottawa had a 41-39 lead at the half.

The OU defense held Avila to two points in the first seven minutes of the third quarter. During that stretch, Ottawa was able to increase its lead to 14 points and after a 3-pt field goal by Maria Moore, led 55-41.

Avila chipped away at the Brave lead and with 39 seconds left in the third, were within 57-49. Hailey Henry pushed the OU lead back to double digits with a basket before the buzzer sounded and OU had a 59-49 lead at the start of the fourth.

The Eagles scored the first basket of the final quarter of play to cut OU's lead to 59-52. Those would be the final points of the game for Avila. Nicole Brown scored eight straight points, increased the Brave lead to 63-52. A basket by Hailey Henry and two free throws by Nicole Brown pushed the Brave lead to 15 points, 67-52 with 6:41 left in regulation.

The Braves were able to empty their bench in the final minutes of the game and the Braves took the 79-52 victory.

Inside the Box Score

• Ottawa shot 45.2 percent from the floor, 50 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 82.4 percent from the free throw line.
• Nicole Brown led the Braves with 21 points and 12 rebounds. She also had three blocks.
• Cierra Brown scored 13 points and Hailey Henry finished the game with 12 points.
• Alyssa Guzman led OU with five assists.

Who is Next
The Braves (16-10, 12-8) return to action on Saturday, Feb. 11 against Oklahoma Wesleyan University in Wilson Field House. Tip off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.