EC Kansas News

Braves Fall Short to Saint Mary, 84-81

The Ottawa University women's basketball team fell 84-81 to the University of Saint Mary on Senior Night in Wilson Field House on Saturday afternoon. The Braves had an eight point lead headed into the fourth but was out scored 25-14 by the Spires in the loss.

The Braves led 10-4 over Saint Mary in the opening minutes of the first quarter after a 3-pt field goal by Cierra Brown. The Spires scored the next seven points, taking an 11-10 lead over OU with 4:50 on the clock.

Ottawa retook the lead, 15-11, on five straight points from Katelyn Alatini. USM, however, ended the quarter on an 8-3 run to take a 19-18 lead into the second.

Baskets by Hailey Henry and Cierra Brown to open the second quarter gave OU a 22-19 lead. The teams exchanged baskets and Ottawa led 29-26 with 5:24 left in the half.

The Spires chipped away at the deficit and with 2:26 were within 32-31. OU responded with six straight points, two straight baskets from Nicole Brown and two free throws by Cierra Brown gave OU a 38-31 lead with 31 seconds on the clock.

Ottawa was able to get a five point possession, USM's Alex Specht was called for an unsporting technical after hitting a basket with 17 seconds on the clock. Cierra Brown made both free throws to give OU a 40-33 lead and OU inbounded the ball at half court. The Braves ran the clock down and Maria Moore found Jayla Johnson open on the wing for a three. The shot was good and the Braves took a 43-33 lead into the locker room.

Ottawa pushed its lead to 13 points, 48-35 in the opening minutes of the second half. USM rallied and tied the game at 55 all with 3:49 left in the third quarter. OU responded with a 12-2 run, taking a 67-57 lead on a Alatini 3-pt field goal with 1:05 on the clock. Saint Mary was able to score the final basket of the quarter and Ottawa took a 67-59 lead into the fourth.

The Spires started the final quarter of play on a 10-3 run to cut OU's lead to 70-69. Five points from Cierra Brown and a basket by Henry gave OU a 77-69 lead with 4:34 on the clock.

Saint Mary rallied and took the lead, 82-81, on a 3-pt play by Tanea Sims with 21 seconds on the clock. The Braves were not able to retake the lead on its next offensive possession and was forced the foul. USM's Daija Planas made one of two free throws and OU was down 83-81 with 10 seconds on the clock.

After a Brave timeout, Ottawa was not able to get a shot off, turning the ball over. The Braves fouled again, and Sims made one of two free throws to give Saint Mary an 84-81 lead with two seconds on the clock.

Ottawa pushed the ball up the court and Janiyah Hendricks was fouled attempting a 3-pt field goal with less than one second on the clock. Her free throw attempts were not successful, and Saint Mary took the 84-81 victory.

Inside the Box Score

•    Ottawa shot 46.9 percent from the floor, 47.1 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 61.9 percent from the free throw line.

•    Nicole Brown led OU with a double-double. She scored 16 points and pulled down 13 rebounds.

•    Cierra Brown scored 23 points and Katelyn Alatini finished with 15 points.

Who is Next

The Braves now wait on the 2023 KCAC Tournament bracket to be released. The tournament starts on Feb. 23.  

Original source can be found here.