LIBERTY, Mo. – The Ottawa University women's basketball team fell 82-54 to William Jewell College on Wednesday night at the Mabee Center.
The Braves led 5-2 to open the first quarter. William Jewell responded with a 15-1 run, taking a 17-6 lead over OU with 3:30 left in the quarter. A 3-pt field goal by
Nora Ford put OU within eight points, 17-9.
William Jewell pushed its lead back to double digits, 21-11, with 42 seconds left in the first quarter. Two free throws from
Anna Eldridge cut the deficit to eight points, 21-13. The Braves were not able to get the defensive stop on the Cardinals final possession of the quarter and WJC took a 23-13 lead into the second.
The Cardinals pushed their lead to 16 points, 34-18 with 3:59 remaining in the first half. Two more free throws from Eldridge and a basket by Katleyn Alatini cut the WJC lead to 34-22 with 2:12 on the clock. William Jewell converted two free throws to increase its lead to 36-22. Alatini scored the final basket of the half and WJC took a 36-24 lead into the locker room.
A three by
Nora Ford in the opening seconds of the third quarter cut the Cardinals lead to nine points, 36-27. WJC responded with an 11-4 run to take a 47-31 lead over the Braves with 4:49 left in the third quarter. The Braves were unable to get the Cardinals' lead under 10 and WJC led 56-42 at the start of the fourth quarter.
Ottawa struggled to score in the fourth quarter and was not able to make a dent into the WJC lead. William Jewell outscored the Braves 26-12 in the quarter, taking the 82-54 victory.
Inside the Box Score
- Ottawa shot 26.6 percent from the floor, 19.2 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 75 percent from the free throw line.
- The Braves had two players in double figures led by Nora Ford's 16 points. She had four steals.
- Anna Eldridge had a double-double, finishing with 15 points and 10 rebounds. She was 7-for-8 from behind the 3-pt line.
Who is Next
Ottawa (5-8) returns to the court on Saturday, January 18 against Friends University in Wilson Field House. Tip off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.