ONU Wins CCAC Matchup at Cardinal Stritch

MILWAUKEE, Wis. – The Olivet Nazarene University women's basketball team travelled up north and defeated Cardinal Stritch University, 85-73, inside the CSU Fieldhouse on Wednesday night.

The Tigers and Wolves played a highly contested first quarter as neither team could hold more than a four-point lead until the Tigers took a six-point lead with a minute left. During that stretch, the Tigers saw points from Kennedy Johnson (JR/Romulus, Mich.) and a three-pointer by Karina Smits (JR/Pewaukee, Wis.). ONU took a 22-16 lead going into the second quarter.

Maggie Cora (SO/Lizton, Ind.) started the second quarter knocking down a three. After a Wolves layup, Smits made a three and Johnson marked a layup making the score 30-18. At 30-22, the Tigers mark 11 of the next 14 points spearheaded by three-pointers by Zanna Myers (JR/Monticello, Ill.), Johnson, and Cora. The Tigers took a 43-26 lead with three minutes left.

The Wolves marked seven of the last nine points, but the Tigers led the Wolves 45-33 going into the half. Johnson led the Tigers with seven points and Olivia Demosthenes (FR/Bloomington, Ill.) led the team with four rebounds. As a team, the Tigers knocked down eight three-pointers in the half.

Halftime: Olivet Nazarene 45, Cardinal Stritch 33

In the first four minutes, the Tigers use the three-ball to stretch their lead. Both Kaitlyn Engle (SO/Wapakoneta, Ohio) and Smits hit threes making the score 54-37. In the last minute of the third quarter, the Wolves marked eight straight points but still trailed the Tigers 64-51. The Tigers made 11 field goals and out rebounded the Wolves 31-22.

The Tigers started the final quarter notching 8 of the first 13 points, highlighted by a couple three-balls by Myers. The Tigers pulled out in front 72-56. After the Wolves tried to get back into the game tallying the next nine points, Myers, Johnson, Demosthenes, and Molly Ream (FR/Fort Wayne, Ind.) stalled that momentum scoring the next eight points making the score 80-65.

The Tigers scored five more points on free throws and snapped their two-game losing streak defeating Cardinal Stritch 85-73.

Game Vitals

Final: Olivet Nazarene 85 | Cardinal Stritch 73

Record: Olivet Nazarene 9-3 (5-2 CCAC) | Cardinal Stritch 5-10 (3-4 CCAC)

Location: CSU Fieldhouse | Cardinal Stritch University | Milwaukee, Wis.

Quick Hits

• Johnson led the Tigers with 16 points ,5 steals, and 7 assists.
• Smits and Myers each followed behind with 14 points and combined for 8-of-15 behind the arc.
• Demosthenes and Johnson led the Tigers with seven rebounds.
• The Tigers forced 34 Wolves' turnovers.
• The Tigers outscored the Wolves 41-21 off turnovers and 21-9 in second chance points.

What's Next?

The Tigers stay on the road and travel to nationally ranked University of St. Francis on Saturday, February 6. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m.

--ONU—

*Contact: Sam Viebrock, Sports Information Director, stviebrock@olivet.edu