KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Ottawa University women's basketball team won their second straight game, defeating Avila University 72-54 on Wednesday night in Mabee Fieldhouse.
The Braves opened the first quarter on a 9-3 run. A basket by
Anna Eldridge gave OU a 15-8 lead with 3:30 left in the first quarter. Avila cut into OU's lead and were within 17-15 at the 1:16 mark. The Braves responded by scoring the final six points of the quarter to give the Braves a 23-15 lead at the start of the second.
Two free throws by
Katelyn Alatini at the start of the second gave OU a 25-15 lead. The Eagles again cut into the Brave lead and with 3:56 left in the half, OU had a 31-25 lead. Ottawa answered by scoring the next seven points and took a 38-25 lead on a basket by
Abbie Sextro. The Braves were not able to get defensive stop on Avila's final offensive possession of the half and OU took a 38-27 lead into the locker room.
Ottawa increased its lead to 13 points, 34-47, on an Alatini basket at the start of the third quarter. A basket by
Nora Ford and a Sextro free throw pushed the Brave lead to 55-38. Avila cut OU's lead to 14 points, 55-41, with 49 seconds left in the third. Ottawa was able to answer with two Ford free throws to take a 57-41 lead into the fourth.
Avila was able to get OU's lead under 10 and were within 57-49 with 7:26 left in regulation. Ottawa quickly pushed its lead back to double figures. Ottawa put together a 13-2 run, taking a 71-51 lead on a
Nayeli Acosta three with 3:01 on the clock. The Braves held Avila in check for final three minutes of the game, taking the 72-54 victory.
Inside the Box Score
- Ottawa shot 43.6 percent from the floor, 27.8 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 79.2 percent from the free throw line.
- OU had three players in double figures, led by Nora Ford's 15 points. Katelyn Alatini scored 14 points and Abbie Sextro finished the game with 13 points.
- Sextro led OU with seven assists and seven rebounds. She also had two blocks and one steal.
- Tiyani Rollins finished the game with four steals.
Who is Next
Ottawa (8-15, 5-12) returns to the court on Saturday, Feb. 8 in Wichita, Kan. against Friends University. Game time is set for