HILLSBORO, Kan. – The Ottawa University women's basketball team fell 60-53 to Tabor College on Wednesday evening in Tabor Gymnasium.

Tabor had a 9-2 lead over OU in the opening minutes of the first quarter. Ottawa scored the next five points and cut the deficit to 9-7 on a Desiree Marshall-Penny basket with 2:28 left in the first. Tabor, however, was able to outscore Ottawa 9-4 in the final two minutes of the quarter and led 18-11 at the start of the second.

The Bluejays pushed their lead to double digits, 26-16, in the second. Ottawa did not go away and cut into the Tabor lead. A basket by Kennedy Bankett with 42 seconds left in the half put OU within 31-29. Tabor scored on their next trip down the floor with 21 seconds on the clock to take a 33-29 lead. Ottawa was not able to cut into the Tabor lead in the final seconds of the half and the Bluejays took a 33-29 lead into the locker room.

Neither team set the nets on fire in the third quarter with OU outscoring Tabor 12-9. The Braves cut into the Tabor lead at the start of the second half and was within one point, 37-36, after a Bankett free throw with 7:30 left in the third.
 
Tabor continued to hold its slight lead over the Braves and midway through the quarter, led 42-38. Both teams struggled to score in the final few minutes of the third. Bankett's basket with 1:23 on the clock were the first points scored by either team since the five minute mark in the third. That basket cut the Bluejay lead to 42-40.

After a defensive stop by the Braves, Alatini was fouled with 30 seconds left in the third. She went to the line and made one of two free throws to put Ottawa within 42-41. The Brave defense came up with another defensive stop, but Bankett's shot attempt was not good at the buzzer and Tabor took a 42-41 lead into the fourth.

Two free throws by Alatini gave the Braves a 43-42 lead at the start of the final quarter of play. Tabor scored the next five points to retake the lead 47-43. Ottawa answered with a 6-0 run, taking a 49-47 lead on a 3-pt field goal by Alatini.

The Bluejays responded by scoring the next nine points to take a 56-49 lead with 44 seconds left in the game. Ottawa tried to rally and cut the deficit to five points on a Marshall-Penny three with 13 seconds left in the game, 58-53. Ottawa attempted to extend the game, sending the Bluejays to the line. Tabor made both free throws and took the 60-53 victory.

Inside the Box Score

• Ottawa shot 42.2 percent from the floor, 36.4 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 64.7 percent from the free throw line.
• OU had three players in double figures. Katelyn Alatini scored 17 points on 5-for-10 shooting from the floor. She led the Braves with two steals.
• Kennedy Bankett finished the game with 11 points and Sydney Scott had 10 points. Bankett led OU with six rebounds.

Who is Next
Ottawa (10-7, 5-6) returns to Wilson Field House on Saturday, January 20 against York University. Game time is set for 3:00 p.m.