The Ottawa University women's basketball team looks to build on its season-opening victory as the Braves (1-0) prepare for a pair of non-conference contests against Heart of America Athletic Conference opponents this weekend at the Heart/KCAC Classic. Ottawa will face No. 15 Benedictine College on Friday, Oct. 30 at Baker University in Baldwin City, Kan., before taking on Baker University on Saturday, Oct. 31 at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan.

The Braves opened the 2026-27 season with an 81-70 road victory over Graceland University on Oct. 24. Ottawa shot 48.4 percent from the floor and had four players score in double figures.

Ottawa Quick Hits: The Braves are averaging 81 points per game and shooting 48.4 percent from the floor, 26.1 percent from behind the 3-point line, and 60 percent from the free-throw line. Ottawa is averaging 35 rebounds, 12 assists, and just nine turnovers per game. The Braves rank 10th in the NAIA in field goal percentage (48.4 percent) and ninth in fewest turnovers per game (9.0), according to the season statistics. Ottawa had four players score in double figures against Graceland, led by Miranda Patterson's 20 points. Patterson finished the opener shooting 8-for-14 from the field and 2-for-5 from behind the 3-point line. She also pulled down six rebounds. Schutte scored 16 points, shooting 5-for-9 from the field and 4-for-4 from the free-throw line. Kruger finished with 15 points, five rebounds, and a team-high four assists. Williams added 13 points and a team-high seven rebounds. Kiana Hostetler contributed eight points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals off the bench. Ottawa held Graceland to 40.9 percent shooting from the field and forced 12 turnovers. The Braves committed only nine turnovers in their season opener while recording three blocked shots.

Scouting No. 15 Benedictine College: Benedictine enters the 2026-27 season ranked No. 15 in the NAIA Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll. The Ravens were selected as the preseason favorites in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) Coaches' Poll.  Benedictine finished the 2025-26 season with a 24-8 overall record and an 18-2 mark in conference play. The Ravens earned the No. 2 seed in the 2025-26 Heart Conference Tournament. Benedictine returns to the top of the conference preseason poll looking to contend for the Heart championship. 

Ottawa vs. Benedictine Series History: Benedictine leads the all-time series 36-11. Friday's matchup will be the first meeting between Ottawa and Benedictine since Nov. 1, 2019. Benedictine won that contest 67-66 at a neutral site. The Braves' last victory over Benedictine came on Nov. 5, 2016, when Ottawa earned a 70-66 overtime victory in Atchison, Kan. Ottawa's last home victory over Benedictine came on Nov. 15, 2003, when the Braves defeated the Ravens 68-56. The series dates back to Jan. 14, 1976, when Benedictine defeated Ottawa 54-39. Ottawa earned its first series victory on Dec. 9, 1982, defeating Benedictine 56-55 on the road. The Braves will look to snap a three-game losing streak against the Ravens.

Scouting Baker University: Baker enters the weekend with an 0-1 overall record after falling to Friends University 76-70 on Oct. 27.  The Wildcats shot 45.7 percent from the floor, 34.8 percent from behind the 3-point line, and 74.1 percent from the free-throw line in their season opener. Baker finished with 32 rebounds, 13 assists, and nine steals against Friends. The Wildcats connected on eight 3-point field goals and made 20 of their 27 free-throw attempts.

In the loss to Friends, Quinn Carpenter led Baker with 15 points, shooting 5-for-9 from the field and 4-for-4 from the free-throw line. Gabby Rose added 14 points, shooting 4-for-7 from the field and a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line. Corrine Cole recorded a double-double with 13 points and a team-high 11 rebounds. Addison Tower and Skyte Wilson each finished with eight points. Baker committed 25 turnovers in its season opener and was outrebounded 43-32 by Friends. The Wildcats allowed 20 offensive rebounds against Friends, an area Ottawa will look to capitalize on Saturday.

Ottawa vs. Baker Series History: Baker leads the all-time series 37-28. Saturday's matchup will be the 66th meeting between Ottawa and Baker. The Braves have won three consecutive games against the Wildcats. Ottawa defeated Baker 91-56 on Nov. 3, 2025, in Baldwin City, Kan., in the teams' most recent meeting. The 35-point victory was Ottawa's largest margin of victory over Baker. The Braves have won four of the last five meetings against Baker. Prior to Ottawa's current three-game winning streak, the Wildcats had won six consecutive meetings from 2014 through 2019. Ottawa's last loss to Baker came on Nov. 2, 2019, when the Wildcats earned a narrow 63-62 victory.  The series dates back to 1907, when Ottawa defeated Baker 47-43 at home. The Braves won 11 consecutive games against Baker from Dec. 6, 1990, through Jan. 29, 1996

Braves to Watch
Miranda Patterson – Patterson opened the season with a team-high 20 points against Graceland. She shot 57.1 percent from the floor, connected on two 3-pointers, and finished with six rebounds.

Dominique Schutte – The returning All-KCAC performer scored 16 points in the season opener. Schutte shot 55.6 percent from the field and was perfect from the free-throw line.

McKinley Kruger – Kruger finished with 15 points, five rebounds, and four assists against Graceland. The returning All-KCAC performer was a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line.

Clare Williams – Williams recorded 13 points and a team-high seven rebounds in Ottawa's season-opening victory. The returning KCAC All-Freshman Team selection also recorded a blocked shot.