NORTH NEWTON, Kan. – The Ottawa University women's basketball team won its second straight game, defeating Bethel College 65-64 in Thresher Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon. OU avenged an early season loss to the Threshers. Bethel had defeated OU in the first meeting of the season in Wilson Field House, 95-79, on Nov. 29.
Bethel opened the first quarter with an 11-4 lead over the Braves. Ottawa battled back, ending the quarter on a 10-4 run to trail 15-14 at the start of the second.
Ottawa tied the game at 20 all on a basket by
Nayeli Acosta with 8:21 to go in the half. The teams exchanged points and the game was tied for the fifth time, at 32-32 with 2:07 on the clock. Bethel retook the lead on a free throw, 33-32. The Threshers scored the final basket of the half with 32 seconds on the clock to take a 35-32 lead into the locker room.
A 3-pt field goal by
Kennedy Bankett and a three from Acosta gave OU a 42-39 lead over Bethel at the start of the third quarter. Two free throws by
Jayla Johnson pushed the OU lead to five points, 46-41 at the 4:47 mark in the third.
Bethel put together a 11-5 run, retaking the lead 52-51. Ottawa answered quickly. Bankett's three gave OU a 54-52 lead. OU's defense came away with a stop and Bankett hit a layup with 17 seconds on the clock to give the Braves a 56-52 lead. The Brave defense earned another defensive stop in the final seconds of the quarter and OU took a 56-52 lead into the fourth.
The Threshers scored the first four points of the fourth quarter to tie the game, 56-56. Ottawa scored the next four points on baskets by
Hailey Henry and
Desiree Marshall-Penny to take a 60-56 lead with 6:40 left in the contest.
Six straight points by Bethel gave the Threshers a 62-60 lead. Ottawa retook the lead on a three by Johnson and led 63-62 with 2:35 left in regulation. Bethel answered with a basket by Kendall Locke to retake the lead, 64-63 with 1:08 on the clock.
After a series of missed shots, turnovers, and timeouts, Ottawa had the ball with 12 seconds on the clock. Bankett received the ball on the wing and drove left to the basket. She made the lay up with five seconds on the clock, giving OU a 65-64 lead.
After a timeout by Bethel, the Threshers attempted a shot with one second on the clock.
Katelyn Alatini rebounded the attempt and the Braves took the 65-64 victory.
Inside the Box Score
Who is Next
Ottawa (13-9, 8-8) returns to the court on Wednesday, Feb. 7 against Friends University in Wilson Field House. Game time is set for 6:00 p.m.
