OTTAWA, Kan. – The Ottawa University women's basketball team fell 83-81 to Kansas Wesleyan University on Saturday afternoon in Wilson Field House.

Ottawa opened the first quarter with a 17-10 lead over Kansas Wesleyan. KWU cut OU's lead to five points, 19-14 with 1:46 left in the quarter. The Braves ended the first on a 7-2 run, taking a 26-16 lead into the second on a 3-pt play by Janiyah Hendricks.

The Braves struggled to score in the second quarter as the Coyotes outscored the Braves 23-13. Kennedy Bankett scored the first basket of the second to give OU a 28-16 lead. KWU responded with a 14-2 run to tie the game at 30 all. Ottawa scored the next four points, a basket by Katelyn Alatini and two free throws by Hendricks, to retake the lead 34-30 with 2:29 left in the half. Four straight points by the Coyotes tied the game, 34-34. The teams exchanged baskets in the final few minutes of the half and the two teams went into their locker rooms with the game tied, 39-39.

In the third, KWU was able to outscore the Braves 25-12 to take a 13 point lead, 64-51 into the fourth.

In the final quarter of play, the Braves cut the Coyotes double digit lead to five points, 71-66 with 2:40 on the clock after a Bankett basket. KWU pushed its lead to eight points, 77-69 with 55 seconds remaining in regulation. Ottawa again cut into the Kansas Wesleyan lead. A Dominique Schutte 3-pt field goal put OU within 80-77 with 22 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

OU sent Kansas Wesleyan to the free throw line and KWU's Angel Lee made one of two free throws to give the Coyotes an 81-77 lead. Ottawa pushed the ball up the floor and Schutte had a look at a three with eight seconds on the clock. It was no good but OU was able to get the ball back on a Coyote turnover.

Bankett was fouled with four seconds on the clock. She made one of two free throws to get OU within three points, 81-78. Ottawa fouled again and Jill Stephens stepped to the line. She made both free throws to give KWU an 83-78 lead with three seconds on the clock. Those free throws were important because Hendricks hit a three at the buzzer and KWU took the 83-81 victory.

Inside the Box Score

• Ottawa shot 44.4 percent from the floor, 25 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 79.2 percent from the free throw line.
• OU had four players in double figures led by Janiyah Hendricks' 23 points.
• Kennedy Bankett finished the game with 20 points, Dominique Schutte scored 12 points, and Abbie Sextro had 10 points.
• Katelyn Alatini and Schutte had six rebounds apiece.
• Hendricks led the Braves with six assists and two steals.

Who is Next
Ottawa (3-3, 0-1) will host Tabor College in Wilson Field House on Wednesday, Nov. 20. Game time is set for 6:00 p.m.