OTTAWA, Kan. – Ottawa University women's basketball battled through four tightly contested quarters, but Sterling College used a strong fourth-quarter push to secure an 83–78 victory Saturday afternoon at Wilson Field House.
First Quarter
Sterling jumped out quickly behind Kali Briar, who knocked down a three-pointer and added multiple finishes in the paint to give the visitors an early edge. Ottawa responded with strong interior play from
Aaliyah Brown and timely perimeter shooting from
Hailey Rademan and
Kaelynn Duncan. Duncan's late three-pointer gave the Braves a brief lead, but Briar answered at the buzzer with a three of her own, sending the game into the second quarter tied at 26.
Second Quarter
Sterling began to take control in the second quarter, capitalizing on turnovers and second-chance opportunities. Briar continued her hot shooting, while Bailey Young and McKenna Vogl controlled the glass. Ottawa stayed within striking distance behind baskets from
Dominique Schutte and
Kiana Hostetler, but Sterling closed the half on an 8–2 run to take a seven-point advantage into the locker room.
Third Quarter
Ottawa opened the second half with back-to-back three-pointers from Schutte to cut into the deficit. Sterling answered each run, leaning on Vogl's interior scoring and Briar's perimeter touch. Despite strong rebounding from Brown and solid ball movement from
Hailey Rademan, Sterling extended its lead to as many as 10 by the end of the quarter.
Fourth Quarter
Ottawa made one final push in the closing minutes. Schutte hit consecutive three-pointers, and
Molly Martin converted a three-point play to bring the Braves within two points at 77–75. Sterling responded at the free-throw line, going 10-of-12 in the final quarter, while Briar and Karlee Jacobs came up with key defensive stops. Despite late free throws from
McKinley Kruger, the Braves were unable to complete the comeback.
Game Notes & Stats
- Sterling Leaders: Kali Briar (37 points, 5 threes), Bailey Young (15 rebounds)
- Ottawa Leaders: Dominique Schutte (18 points), Aaliyah Brown (12 rebounds), Hailey Rademan (9 assists)
- Rebounds: Sterling 39, Ottawa 45
- Turnovers: Sterling 13, Ottawa 16
Who is Next
Ottawa (7-4, 3-4) is back in action on Monday, Dec. 15 in Wilson Field House in a non-conference contest against Haskell Indian Nations University. Tip off is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.
