SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Ottawa University women's basketball team had its five game winning streak broken with a 72-56 loss to Evangel University on Saturday afternoon. The short handed Braves had a 35-34 lead at the half but was not able to hang on to get the victory. Ottawa was playing without starter, Abby Dietsche.

The Braves struggled to score in the first quarter and found themselves down 14-1 with 5:03 left in the quarter. Desiree Marshall-Penny made OU's first basket of the game at the 4:41 mark to put OU within 14-4. Ottawa's scoring picked up in the final four minutes of play, along with OU's defense, and the Braves were within 21-14 at the end of the first.

Evangel scored the first six points of the second quarter to take a 27-14 lead over the Braves. Ottawa responded with a 16-0 run and led 30-27 after a 3-pt field goal by Jayla Johnson with 3:51 remaining in the half.

The Valor answered with a run of their own, scoring the next seven points to take a 34-30 lead with 1:38 on the clock. Ottawa cut the deficit to one point, 34-33, on a 3-pt field goal by Katleyn Alatini. After a defensive stop by the Braves, Kennedy Bankett's basket with 30 seconds left in the half gave OU a 35-34 lead. The OU defense put together a defensive stop on the Valor's final offensive possession of the half and Ottawa took a 35-34 lead into the locker room.

Evangel scored the first five points of the second half to take a 39-35 lead over OU. The Braves stayed close and after a basket by Bankett at the 3:03 mark, Ottawa was within 49-47.

The Valor responded by scoring the next six points, taking a 55-47 lead. Alatini's basket with 42 seconds left in the third cut the deficit to 55-50. Evangel, however, was able to score the final basket of the quarter and EU took a 57-50 lead into the fourth.

In the fourth quarter, Ottawa was outscored 15-6 by Evangel. The Valor scored the first basket of the fourth to take a 60-50 lead. A three by Johnson cut the deficit to 60-53 with 8:48 to go in the game. Ottawa would only score three more points in the final quarter of play as Evangel took the 72-56 victory.

Inside the Box Score

• Ottawa shot 34.7 percent from the floor, 54.2 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 90 percent from the free throw line.
• OU had two players in double figures led by Jayla Johnson's 12 points. She also led OU in assists with five and rebounds with six.
• Kennedy Bankett was the other Brave in double digits, finishing with 10 points.
• Hailey Henry had two blocks.

Who is Next
The Braves (9-5, 4-4) returns to the court on Wednesday, Jan. 10 against the University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth, Kan. Game time is set for 5:00 p.m.