OTTAWA, Kan. – The Ottawa University women's basketball team clinched its spot in the KCAC Tournament Wednesday night with a 72-65 win over Evangel University in Wilson Field House.

The Braves trailed for most of the first quarter of play. OU finished the quarter strong by scoring the final five points on a 3-pt field goal by Kennedy Bankett and a basket by Sydney Scott and the game was tied at 12 all at the start of the second.

Evangel opened the second quarter on a 16-8 run, taking a 28-20 lead over the Braves. OU responded by scoring seven straight points and after two free throws by Bankett, Ottawa was down 28-27. The teams exchanged baskets. OU was down 30-29 after a Jayla Johnson jumper with 1:08 on the clock. The Valor, however, were able to score the final three points of the quarter, taking a 33-29 lead into the locker room.

The Braves came out of halftime on a 16-6 run, behind the 3-pt shooting of Katelyn Alatini. A Nayeli Acosta free throw with 5:25 left in the third gave the Braves a 44-39 lead. Evangel scored the next six points, retaking the lead 45-44. Ottawa quickly answered with four straight points by Bankett and led 48-45.

Evangel's Carson Dillard made both of her free throws with 21 seconds on the clock to cut OU's lead to one, 48-47. The Braves were able to get two looks at the basket in the final seconds of the third thanks to a hustle rebound by Alatini. Scott made the jumper at the buzzer and OU took a 50-47 lead into the fourth.

In the first six minutes of the final quarter of play, Ottawa outscored Evangel 15-4 and led 65-51. Evangel cut the Brave lead to seven points, 68-61 with 1:04 left in regulation. The Valor tried to extend the game, sending the Braves to the free throw line. Scott made both of her free throw attempts, giving OU a 70-61 lead with 37 seconds on the clock.

The Valor cut OU's lead to 70-63 on a basket by Lexi Berry with 22 seconds left in the game. Evangel fouled again, this time sending Bankett to the free throw line. She made both free throw attempts, giving OU a 72-63 lead with 17 seconds on the clock. Evangel had three looks at the basket in the final 17 seconds. Their final shot attempt was good but it was too little too late as OU took the 72-65 victory.

Inside the Box Score

• Ottawa shot 42.4 percent from the floor, 38.5 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 80 percent from the free throw line.
• The Braves had three players in double figures led by Katelyn Alatini's 16 points. She was 4-for-8 from behind the arc.
• Kennedy Bankett came off the bench to score 14 points and Nayeli Acosta finished the game with 12 points.
• Alatini led OU with seven rebounds.
• Desiree Marshall-Penny finished with four assists.
• Jayla Johnson had five steals.

Who is Next
Ottawa (15-12, 10-11) finishes the regular season in Wilson Field House on Saturday, Feb. 24 against the University of Saint Mary. Game time is set for 3:00 p.m.