LEAVENWORTH, Kan. – The Ottawa University women's basketball team ended its season in the KCAC Tournament Quarterfinals, falling 74-63 to the University of Saint Mary at the Ryan Sport Center on Wednesday night.
Saint Mary took the early 8-3 lead over the Braves in the opening minutes of the first quarter. Ottawa chipped away at the Spire lead and after a 3-pt field goal by
Desiree Marshall-Penny, Ottawa led 14-12 with 2:07 left in the first.
A basket by
Sydney Scott gave OU a 16-12 lead with 57 seconds on the clock. In the final seconds of the first, USM cut the Brave lead to one on a 3-pt play by Paige Pendley and OU took a 16-15 lead into the second.
Saint Mary opened the second quarter on a 14-2 run and took a 29-18 lead over the Braves with 5:35 left in the half. Ottawa cut into the Spire lead and after a basket by
Jayla Johnson, the Braves were within 29-23 with 4:26 remaining in the second quarter. The Spires answered by ending the half by outscoring OU 15-7 and took a 44-30 lead into the locker room.
In the third quarter, the Braves were able to cut into the Spire lead. A basket by Scott with 4:56 left in the quarter put OU within 10 points, 46-36. Saint Mary answered with a 12-3 run to end the third, taking a 58-39 lead into the fourth.
The Spires increased their lead to 18 points, 64-46, with 6:34 remaining in the fourth quarter. Ottawa again chipped away at the Saint Mary lead. A basket by
Kennedy Bankett cut the deficit to 73-63 with a little more than a minute remaining in the contest. The Braves were not able to complete the comeback and USM took the 74-63 victory.
Inside the Box Score
- Ottawa shot 35.5 percent from the floor, 28.6 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 65 percent from the free throw line.
- OU has three players in double figures, led by Kennedy Bankett's 18 points.
- Jayla Johnson scored 15 points and Nayeli Acosta finished the game with 11 points.
- Sydney Scott led OU with seven rebounds.
- Hailey Henry had a team high four assists.
The Braves finish the season with an overall record of 15-14, earning its second straight winning season. This is the first time since 2013-14 and 2014-15 that OU has had back-to-back winning seasons.