SALINA, Kan. - The Ottawa University women's basketball team dropped its KCAC opener Saturday night in Salina, falling 93–75 to a hot-shooting Kansas Wesleyan squad inside Mabee Arena.
First Quarter
Ottawa opened with its starting five—
Miranda Patterson,
Dominique Schutte,
McKinley Kruger,
Clare Williams, and
Ashlynn Arnsman—and battled evenly through the early minutes. Patterson tied the game 2–2 at the free-throw line, and
Hailey Rademan later hit a three to keep Ottawa within striking distance.
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Kaelynn Duncan three at the 4:14 mark trimmed the deficit to 11–9, but the Coyotes answered with perimeter shooting and second-chance opportunities. Arnsman scored inside with 57 seconds left, but KWU took a 19–14 lead into the second quarter.
Second Quarter
Ottawa's offense came alive in the second. Duncan opened the period hitting a three, and the Braves began attacking the paint effectively. Schutte drilled back-to-back threes midway through the frame, and
Aaliyah Brown sparked momentum with six straight points, including a steal-and-score to cut the deficit to 35–34.
A Rademan three with 2:42 left gave Ottawa its first lead of the night at 37–35. The Braves kept the pressure on, but KWU closed the half on a 7–2 run, capped by an Izzy McCool bucket to put the Coyotes ahead 42–39 at the break.
Schutte led Ottawa with 9 first-half points, while Brown pulled down five boards.
Third Quarter
The third quarter proved decisive. KWU opened with an Odessa Ozuna three and continued to score efficiently, extending the lead into double digits. The Braves battled through second-chance points—Duncan scored twice on offensive rebounds, and Arnsman converted inside—but every Ottawa answer was met with a KWU response.
A late run featuring threes from Emma Gertken and Adriana DiPrima pushed KWU ahead by as many as 15. Kruger kept Ottawa afloat with free throws and an inside finish, but the Coyotes maintained a 74–63 advantage after three.
Fourth Quarter
KWU continued its offensive rhythm in the fourth, opening with buckets by Chauncey and Ozuna to stretch the lead to 80–63. Duncan and Kruger provided scoring inside, but Ottawa couldn't generate enough stops to mount a comeback.
Duncan finished the game strong with two late baskets, but the Coyotes' balanced scoring and control on the glass sealed the 93–75 decision.
Ottawa Leaders
Ottawa shot 37.8% from the field and 23.5% from three while pulling down 40 rebounds (18 offensive). The Braves generated 36 points in the paint and 37 bench points. KWU shot an efficient 53.0% from the floor and 42.3% from deep while winning the rebounding battle 42–40.
Who is Next
Ottawa (3-1, 0-1) is back on the court Wednesday, Nov. 19 against Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kan. Game time is set for 6:00 p.m.
