PORTLAND, Ore. – There was no shortage of action in the Lions' first women's basketball game as members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, as they dropped a close ball game to Douglas College, 68-63 in overtime at home on Friday night.
The loss came in the first game of the season for the Lions, dropping to 0-1 on the season while the Royals start their season 1-0.
How It Happened: In a game that featured 10 ties, nine lead changes, and the largest lead of the night being six points, both teams battled closely with neither one able to take control. MU jumped out to a quick four point lead before an eventual three-pointer by Douglas College gave their first lead at 9-8. The first quarter of play ended even at 13-13.
The Royals came out in the second quarter of play, securing a quick five point lead after a missed jumper by MU gave them the ball. With the score at 20-15, the Lions climbed to within one point of Douglas, 22-21, but were unable to gain the lead back, ending the first half down three 28-25.
MU struggled from the free throw line, hitting 6-of-16 on the night and couldn't get anything going from behind the arc, making only 5-of-30 3-point attempts.
The Lions finally took back the lead just over four minutes into the third quarter after a two consecutive 3-pointers by
Sadie Jenks and
Valerie Wakefield gave them the 36-35 advantage.
Down 53-49 in the fourth quarter, MU's Kacie Kamper rebounded a missed jumper before forcing a foul and knocking down a shot. Kamper completed the and-one to bring her team within one point. With 31-seconds left, the Lions came up with a big stop and quickly moved the ball up the court, converting on a
Lexie Govert layup to send the game to overtime.
The Royals shot 75 percent from the field in the overtime period, converting on two 3-pointers and two free throws to secure the 68-63 victory over MU.
From the Coach: "I am so proud of the team and the way they played tonight. It was a very exciting game to start our season and I'm looking forwardto taking what we've learned and continuing to grow every day," said head coach
Tim Bieri. "Douglas will be very strong in their league and we are thankful for the opportunity to play our northern neighbors."
By the Numbers: Govert led the offense for the Lions, recording 16 points while Kamper, Jenks, and
Ana Wakefield each had 10 points.
Valerie Wakefield finished the night with a team high four assists while Kamper also added nine rebounds. As a team, the Lions shot 32.5 percent from the field and led in points off turnovers with 21 points.
Racheal Beauchamp led the Royals with nine points and nine rebounds followed by Domunique Booker with seven. Douglas College ended the night shooting 40.4 percent and 54.5 percent from the free throw line.
Coming Up Next: The Lions will hit the road for the first time this season next week as they play Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho on Friday, Oct. 30.
