BARTLESVILLE, Okla. – The Ottawa University women's basketball team fell 69-58 to Oklahoma Wesleyan University on Thursday night at the Mueller Sports Center.
Both teams struggled to score in the first quarter. Ottawa trailed OKWU 8-4 with 5:32 left in the first. A basket by
Nora Ford cut the deficit to two points, 8-6. The Eagles pushed its lead back to four points, 10-6 with 2:06 on the clock. Ottawa was able to cut the deficit to one on a three by
Tiyani Rollins and OU trailed 10-9 at the start of the second.
The Braves chipped away at the OKWU lead and after a 3-pt field goal by
Dominique Schutte, OU had its first lead of the game 16-15. The Eagles scored the next seven points, retaking the lead 21-16 with 4:01 remaining in the half. Ottawa cut into the OKWU lead and were within three points, 27-24, after a basket by Ford. OU was not able to get the final defensive stop that it needed and OKWU took a 29-24 lead into the locker room.
The Eagle opened the second half by increasing its lead to eight points, 35-27. Ottawa responded with an 11-4 run and cut the OKWU lead to 39-38 with 4:33 left in the third on a Schutte three. The Eagles increased their lead to four points, 42-38. But OU answered with baskets by
Abbie Sextro and
Anna Eldridge to tie the game at 42 all with 3:38 remaining in the third quarter. OKWU answered by ending the third on an 8-2 run to take a 50-44 lead into the fourth.
Oklahoma Wesleyan started the final quarter of play on a 11-2 run and increased its lead to 15 points, 61-46, with 5:17 left in regulation. OU cut the lead to six points and trailed 63-57 with 1:12 on the clock after a 3-pt field goal by Ford. That, however, was all the closer the Braves were able to get to the Eagles. OU was forced to foul and OKWU converted at the line, taking the 69-58 victory.
Inside the Box Score
- Ottawa shot 35.4 percent from the floor, 22.2 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 80 percent form the free throw line.
- OU had two players in double figures led by Nora Ford's 18 points. She also led the team with seven rebounds.
- Abbie Sextro was the other Brave in double figures. She finished with 16 points, six rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
- Janiyah Hendricks led the Braves with three assists and two steals.
Who is Next
Ottawa (8-17, 5-14) returns to the court on Saturday, February 15 in Wilson Field House against Bethel College. Tip off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
