BALDWIN CITY, Kan. – The Ottawa University women's basketball team fell 76-65 to no. 15 Benedictine College on Friday afternoon in Baldwin City, Kan. The Braves led by five points at halftime, but a 31-point third quarter by the Ravens proved to be the difference.
McKinley Kruger led Ottawa with a game-high 24 points, finishing 8-for-15 from the field and a perfect 7-for-7 from the free-throw line. Kruger also pulled down nine rebounds and recorded three steals.
Miranda Patterson added 14 points and five rebounds, while
Ashlynn Arnsman finished with a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Ottawa controlled much of the first half, taking a 22-19 lead after the first quarter and extending its advantage to 37-32 at halftime. The Braves shot 50 percent from the field in the second quarter and held Benedictine to just 13 points in the period.
The Ravens turned the momentum in the third quarter, outscoring Ottawa 31-10 to take a 63-47 lead into the fourth. The Braves responded by winning the final quarter 18-13 but could not overcome the deficit.
How It Happened
First Quarter: Ottawa 22, Benedictine 19
The Braves started quickly, with
Clare Williams knocking down a 3-pointer to give Ottawa its first lead, 3-2. Kruger followed with two free throws, and Patterson converted a basket and free throw to put OU ahead 8-4.
Arnsman extended the lead to 10-4 with a layup at the 6:43 mark. After Benedictine cut into the advantage, Kruger connected on a 3-pointer to push Ottawa's lead to 15-9 with 5:10 remaining.
The Ravens rallied to within one, 19-18, late in the quarter. However,
Dominique Schutte knocked down a 3-pointer with 48 seconds remaining, off an assist from Arnsman, to give Ottawa a 22-18 advantage. Benedictine added a free throw in the closing seconds, sending the Braves into the second quarter with a 22-19 lead.
Second Quarter: Ottawa 37, Benedictine 32
Ottawa continued its strong first-half play, opening the second quarter with a basket from Kruger to extend the lead to five. Arnsman followed with a jumper, and Schutte added a layup to help the Braves maintain control.
Sydney Kessler scored on a second-chance opportunity to give Ottawa a 30-24 lead with 3:54 remaining. Patterson then converted a layup off an assist from Kruger, extending the advantage to eight.
Aushara Hostetler connected on a 3-pointer with 1:47 left in the half, giving Ottawa its largest lead of the game, 35-26.
Benedictine answered with five straight points to cut the lead to four, but Arnsman scored with 18 seconds remaining. The Ravens added a free throw in the final seconds, and Ottawa entered halftime ahead 37-32.
Third Quarter: Benedictine 63, Ottawa 47
Benedictine opened the second half with a 6-0 run, taking a 38-37 lead with 8:09 remaining in the third quarter.
Schutte answered with a layup to put Ottawa back in front, 39-38. After another Benedictine basket, Patterson scored on an offensive rebound to give the Braves a 41-40 advantage with 6:17 left.
The Ravens regained the lead and began to pull away. Kruger scored to cut the deficit to 45-43 with 5:08 remaining, but Benedictine responded with a 9-2 run to extend its advantage to 54-45.
Patterson converted two free throws to make the score 54-47, but Benedictine closed the quarter with nine unanswered points, including a 3-pointer with four seconds remaining.
The Ravens outscored Ottawa 31-10 in the period to take a 63-47 lead into the fourth quarter.
Fourth Quarter: Benedictine 76, Ottawa 65
The Braves continued to battle in the fourth quarter, with Kruger scoring Ottawa's first four points of the period. Benedictine maintained its advantage, extending the lead to 68-51 with 7:44 remaining.
Ottawa began to chip away at the deficit. Kruger converted two free throws and added a layup before Arnsman knocked down a jumper to cut Benedictine's lead to 68-57 with 3:46 left.
Patterson then completed a three-point play with 2:58 remaining, bringing the Braves within eight, 68-60. Ottawa's defense held Benedictine scoreless for more than six minutes during the fourth quarter, giving the Braves an opportunity to close the gap.
Kruger added another three-point play with 1:01 remaining, cutting the deficit to 70-63. However, Benedictine held on down the stretch, securing the 76-65 victory.
Ottawa outscored the Ravens 18-13 in the final quarter.
Inside the Box Score
- McKinley Kruger led all scorers with 24 points on 8-for-15 shooting. She finished 7-for-7 from the free-throw line, grabbed nine rebounds, dished out two assists and recorded three steals.
- Miranda Patterson finished with 14 points, five rebounds and one assist. She shot 5-for-10 from the field and 4-for-4 from the free-throw line.
- Ashlynn Arnsman recorded a double-double with 10 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. She shot 5-for-6 from the field and added two assists.
- Dominique Schutte scored seven points, grabbed two rebounds, recorded one steal and blocked one shot.
- Clare Williams finished with five points and three rebounds.
- Aushara Hostetler added three points, connecting on her only 3-point attempt.
- Sydney Kessler contributed two points, four rebounds and one assist.
- Ottawa shot 40 percent from the field (24-for-60), compared to Benedictine's 34.4 percent (22-for-64).
- The Braves connected on four 3-pointers and shot 86.7 percent (13-for-15) from the free-throw line.
- Ottawa outrebounded Benedictine 46-36, including a 14-13 advantage on the offensive glass.
- The Braves held a 14-9 advantage in second-chance points.
- Ottawa committed 28 turnovers, which Benedictine converted into 25 points.
- Benedictine attempted 40 free throws, making 27, compared to Ottawa's 13 makes on 15 attempts.
Who is Next
Ottawa (1-1) returns to the court on Saturday, Oct. 31 for its second and final game of the Heart/KCAC Classic in Atchison, Kan. OU will play Baker University at 12:00 p.m.
