OTTAWA, Kan. – The Ottawa University women's basketball team won its fifth straight game, defeating Bethany College 70-68 in Wilson Field House on Wednesday night. The win was OU's first over the Swedes since the 2017-18 season.

Both teams struggled to score in the first quarter and at the end of one, Ottawa led 9-7. The scoring picked up in the second quarter. Bethany went on an 11-3 run, taking an 18-12 lead over the Braves with 6:34 left in the first half.

Ottawa responded with a run of its own, 12-6, and tied the game at 24 all on a Jayla Johnson layup with 2:05 on the clock. Bethany retook the lead on a three by Kisa Unruh, 27-24. Ottawa answered with a three by Bankett and the game was tied 27-27 at the half.

The Braves opened the third quarter on a 12-3 run, taking a 39-30 lead on two Abby Dietsche free throws with 6:28 on the clock. Bethany did not go away and rallied to cut OU's lead to two points, 41-39. A 3-pt field goal by Bankett gave OU a 44-39 lead with 3:18 left in the third.

The Swedes again cut into OU's lead and were within one point, 44-43. The Braves answered by scoring the final six points of the quarter, taking a 50-43 lead into the fourth.

In the first 3:33 of the fourth, Bethany cut OU's lead to 55-53. A three by Jayla Johnson pushed the OU lead to 58-53. The Swedes responded with a 12-4 run and took its first lead of the second half, 65-62, with 2:21 remaining in regulation. Ottawa scored the next four points on a Katelyn Alatini jumper and two Alatini free throws to take a 66-65 lead at at the 1:37 mark.

Bethany retook the lead on a basket by R'Manie Pulling, 67-66. The Braves turned the ball over but came away with a defensive stop and with 37 seconds on the clock, Dietsche's jumper gave OU a 68-67 lead.   

The Swedes tied the game on their next offensive possession on a free throw by Pulling, 68-68, with 15 seconds on the clock. After the Brave time out, Ottawa ran the clock down and Dietsche took the shot at the top of the key. It was good and with 1.5 seconds left in the game, Ottawa led 70-68.

Bethany advanced the ball to half court with a timeout but the shot attempt by the Swedes was not good and OU took the 70-68 victory.

Inside the Box Score

• Ottawa shot 48.1 percent from the floor, 42.9 percent from behin the 3-pt line and 68.8 percent from the free throw line.
• OU had four players in double figures, led by Abby Dietsche's 23 points. She had two assists, three blocks, and three steals.
• Kennedy Bankett finished with 12 points and four steals. Katelyn Alatini and Tootie Allen scored 11 points apiece.
• Nayeli Acosta led OU with three assists.

Who is Next
Ottawa (9-4, 4-3) returns to the court on Saturday, January 6 in Springfield, Mo. against Evangel University. Game time is set for 2:00 p.m.