NORTH NEWTON, Kan. – The Ottawa University women's basketball team fell 77-65 to Bethel College on Saturday afternoon in Thresher Gymnasium.

Ottawa trailed by five early, 10-5, in quarter no. 1. The Braves were able to cut the deficit to one, on a jumper by Sydney Scott, and were down 12-11 at the start of the second.

Bethel went on a 13-3 run at the start of the second quarter, taking a 25-15 lead over OU. The Braves chipped away at the Thresher lead and after a three by Nora Ford, Ottawa was within 27-21 with 1:39 left in the half. OU, however, was not able to get a defensive stop on Bethel's last offensive possession of the half and BC took a 29-21 lead into the locker room.

A three by Dominique Schutte and a basket by Ford at the start of the third quarter put OU within 29-26. Bethel scored the next five points, pushing its lead to eight points 34-26 with 7:48 left in the third.

Ottawa cut into the Thresher lead with two Abbie Sextro free throws and trailed 36-32. OU continued to stay close and were down 45-44, after a 3-pt field goal by Tiyani Rollins with 2:24 on the clock.

Bethel responded with six straight points, increasing its lead to 51-44 with 35 seconds left in the third. The Braves were able to execute in the final 30 seconds of the third. Janiyah Hendricks was fouled. She made both free throws and OU was down 51-46 at the start of the fourth.

The Threshers started the fourth quarter on a 7-2 run, taking a 58-48 lead over the Braves. Ottawa again rallied and after a three point play by Hendricks, OU trailed 60-56 with 5:32 left in regulation.

Two straight baskets by the Threshers gave them a 64-56 lead. A three by Schutte and a jumper from Katelyn Alatini put OU within three points, 64-61, at the 3:04 mark. That is all the closer the Braves were able to get to Bethel. The Threshers ended the game on a 13-4 run, taking the 77-65 victory.

Inside the Box Score

• Ottawa shot 40.7 percent from the floor, 41.2 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 76.9 percent from the free throw line.
• OU had four players in double figures, led by Nora Ford's 19 points.
• Abbie Sextro had a double-double, 10 points and 12 rebounds. She also led OU with five assists.
• Dominique Schutte scored 14 points, and Janiyah Hendricks finished the game with 11 points.

Who is Next
Ottawa (5-13, 2-10) is back on the road on Wednesday, Jan. 22 in Leavenworth, Kan. against the University of Saint Mary. Game time is set for 6:00 p.m.