Box Score SALINA, Kan. – The Ottawa University women’s basketball team fell 73-62 to Kansas Wesleyan University in Mabee Arena on Monday night. The Braves have a record of 9-11 in KCAC play and are in seventh place in the KCAC with two regular season games remaining. The top eight team in the conference qualify for the KCAC Tournament.
The teams exchanged baskets in the opening minutes of the first quarter. A jumper by Nayeli Acosta gave OU a 6-5 lead. KWU retook the lead and put together a 9-2 run, taking a 14-8 lead over OU with 1:51 left in the quarter.
Ottawa ended the first with a 5-1 run and trailed 15-13 after a Kennedy Bankett basket with 17 seconds on the clock. Ottawa’s defense held on the Coyotes last possession of the quarter and KWU led 15-13 at the start of the second quarter.
Kansas Wesleyan scored the first six points of the second quarter to take a 21-13 lead over OU. The Braves chipped away at the KWU lead and after a basket by Bankett, Ottawa was within 23-21 with 5:15 left in the half.
The Coyotes responded by increasing their lead to 30-21. A three from Acosta put OU within 30-24. KWU’s LaMyah Ricks hit a jumper with 56 seconds on the clock to increase the Coyote lead to 32-24. After a defensive stop by the Braves, Bankett scored the final points of the half and KWU took a 32-26 lead into the locker room.
KWU scored the first five points of the second half to take a 37-26 lead over OU. Desiree Marshall-Penny’s 3-pt field goal at the 6:14 mark put OU within 37-29. The Coyotes answered with a 17-4 run, taking 54-33 lead over OU with 1:35 left in the third. The OU defense held KWU scoreless in the final minute of the quarter and trailed 54-37 at the start of the fourth.
The Braves continued to play hard in the fourth and was able to cut into the Coyote lead. OU was not able to recover from its shooting struggles in the third quarter and get the KWU lead under 10 points and the Coyotes took the 73-62 victory.
Inside the Box Score
- Ottawa shot 46.6 percent from the floor, 25 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 50 percent from the free throw line.
- Kennedy Bankett led OU in scoring with 13 points on 6-for-9 shooting from the floor.
- Tootie Allen and Nayeli Acosta scored 12 points apiece.
- Desiree Marshall-Penny led the Braves with eight rebounds and was tied with Acosta for the team high in assists with three.
Who is Next
Ottawa (14-12, 9-11) will host Evangel University in Wilson Field House on Wednesday night. Tip off is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.