LEAVENWORTH, Kan. – The Ottawa University women's basketball team fell short, 72-70, to the KCAC leading University of Saint Mary on Wednesday night at the Ryan Sports Center.

Ottawa fell behind early to USM and trailed 10-2 with 5:45 to go in the first quarter. The Braves responded with a 17-7 run and took a 19-17 lead over the Spires into the second quarter.

OU pushed its lead to eight points, 30-22 after two free throws by Kennedy Bankett with 3:43 left in the first half. USM cut the Brave lead to four points but four straight points by Hailey Henry gave OU a 34-26 lead.

A 3-pt play by USM's Paige Pendley cut OU's lead to five points, 34-29 with 1:35 remaining in the second quarter. The teams exchanged a free throw in the final minute of the half and OU took a 35-30 lead into the locker room.

In the first six minutes of the third quarter, the Braves pushed their lead to double digits. A 3-pt field goal by Desiree Marshall-Penny gave OU a 48-37 lead over the Spires. USM cut into OU's lead and was within 48-44 with 55 seconds remaining in the third. Ottawa scored the final four points of the quarter on baskets by Marshall-Penny and Nayeli Acosta to take a 52-44 lead into the fourth.

Saint Mary cut OU's lead to three points, 52-49, at the 8:41 mark in the final quarter of play. Ottawa responded by pushing its lead to nine points, 60-51, after a three by Marshall-Penny. USM again cut into the Brave lead and but two free throws by Alatini gave OU a 66-63 advantage over the Spires.

USM once more cut OU's lead to one point, 66-65. Again, OU responded with two Alatini free throws to take a 65-68 lead with 1:21 left in the contest. Saint Mary, however, scored the next four points and took its first lead of the game since the 1:01 mark in the first quarter, 69-68, with 50 seconds on the clock.

With 31 seconds remaining in regulation, Ottawa retook the lead on its next offensive possession on two Acosta free throws, 70-61. Saint Mary answered with a basket by Pendley, 71-70, with 18 seconds on the clock to take the lead once more. Ottawa held for the final shot but Acosta's jumper with one second remaining in the contest was no good and USM was fouled on the rebound. Pendley made one of two free throws and USM took the 72-70 victory.

Inside the Box Score

• Ottawa shot 41.4 percent from the floor, 35.3 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 84.2 percent from the free throw line.
• The Braves had three players in double digits. Jayla Johnson came off the bench to lead OU in scoring with 15 points. Kennedy Bankett finished the game with 13 points and a team high six rebounds and three assists. Katleyn Alatini scored 11 points and led OU with four steals.

Who is Next
Ottawa (9-6, 4-5) is back on the court on Saturday, January 13 in Wilson Field House against Southwestern College. Game time is set for 3:00 p.m.