OTTAWA, Kan. – The Ottawa University women's basketball team defeated McPherson College, 76-58, on Wednesday night in Wilson Field House. With four games remaining in the regular season, the Braves are in seventh place in the KCAC with a record of 9-9. The top eight teams in the conference qualify for the KCAC Tournament.

The Braves took a 6-2 lead over McPherson to start the first quarter. A 3-pt field goal by Kennedy Bankett gave OU a 13-8 lead with 4:09 remaining in the first. Baskets by Nikole Schnell and Tiyani Rollins increased the OU lead to 10 points, 18-8. The Bulldogs finishing the final 2:21 on a 5-0 run and the Braves took an 18-13 lead into the second.

McPherson put together a 16-8 run in the opening minutes of the second quarter, taking a 29-26 lead over OU with 4:26 left in the first half. Ottawa cut into the deficit and after a basket by Katelyn Alatini, had a 33-32 lead. Ottawa was not able to get a stop on McPherson's next offensive possession and the Bulldogs retook the lead with 40 seconds left in the second quarter, 34-33.

The Braves were able to get an offensive rebound with 13 seconds on the clock. Tootie Allen attacked the basket and was fouled. She made both free throws, giving OU a 35-34 lead at the half.

In the third quarter, Ottawa opened with a 17-7 run and led 52-41 after a three by Rollins. McPherson did not go away and chipped away at the Brave double digit lead. The Bulldogs ended the quarter by scoring the final six points and OU had a 52-47 lead at the start of the fourth.

The OU defense held McPherson to 2-for-7 shooting from the floor in the final quarter of play. A 3-pt field goal by Bankett gave OU a 67-52 lead with 6:06 left in regulation. Another three, this one by Alatini, pushed the OU lead to 73-56. Ottawa was able to empty its bench in the final minutes of the quarter, taking the 76-58 victory.

Inside the Box Score

• Ottawa shot 45 percent from the floor, 35.5 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 78.6 percent from the free throw line.
• Kennedy Bankett had a double-double, finishing with 23 points and 10 rebounds.
• Katelyn Alatini scored 15 points and Tiyani Rollins came off the bench to finish the game with a career high 14 points. She was 5-for-6 from the floor and 4-for-5 from behind the 3-pt line.
• Jayla Johnson led OU with four assists and five steals.

Who is Next
Ottawa (14-10, 9-9) returns to the court on Saturday, Feb. 17 against Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kan. Game time is set for 5:00 p.m.