TIGERBALL’S AWAY TRIP ENDS IN DEFEAT AGAINST GOVERNORS STATE

UNIVERSITY PARK, IL. - In a heated away game against Governors State University on Wednesday, Olivet Nazarene University's women's basketball team faced a tough battle, dropping the game with a score of 80-75.

The first quarter saw ONU opening the scoring, but GSU quickly gained control, leading by 9 points in the last minutes. However, a resilient effort from the Tigers, highlighted by clutch free throws by freshman guard Kayleigh Flach, initiated an 11-point run, allowing ONU to snatch a one-point lead by the quarter's end with a score of 20-19. 

ONU opened the second quarter with an immediate layup from senior guard Olivia Demosthenes followed by a three-pointer by sophomore guard Olivia Dirkse. Despite the Tigers' efforts, GSU responded with 8 consecutive points, regaining control of the game. A late three-pointer from Demosthenes briefly put the Tigers ahead, but GSU capitalized on two free throws to close the quarter with a narrow lead of 41-40. 

The third quarter saw GSU opening the scoring with two free throws after an immediate Tiger foul, initiating a 13-point run that pushed the game out of reach for ONU. Undeterred, the Tigers countered with a 6-point run of their own, bringing the game within 7 points. The quarter featured intense back-and-forth action, concluding with GSU maintaining the lead at 63-58.

The fourth quarter started with a flurry of three-pointers, one from each team. ONU, fueled by desperation, fought tooth and nail. Senior guard Jamie Finn drained another three, bringing the Tigers within three. But GSU, led by a relentless attack, responded with a 6-0 run, pushing their lead back to nine. The Tigers refused to go down without a fight, keeping their hopes alive with free throws and a three. However, GSU's free throw shooting down the stretch sealed the victory, leaving the Tigers heartbroken with a final score of 80-75. 

What's Next

ONU is excited to bounce back from this heartbreak. The Tigers take flight to Arizona to face Park-Gilbert University on Dec. 19th. Tip-off is slated for 8:00 p.m. CST.

--ONU—

*Contact Anyssa Hampton, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, ahampton@olivet.edu