TIGERBALL FIGHTS BACK BUT FALLS SHORT TO USF

JOLIET, IL. - Olivet Nazarene University's women's basketball team put up a valiant battle but ultimately fell to the University of St. Francis Fighting Saints on Wednesday night, 90-80.

USF opened the game with an 11-0 run, leaving the Tigers reeling. Senior guard Olivia Demosthenes finally put ONU on the board with a three-pointer, but the Saints countered with a 7-point run to extend their lead to 15. Layups by junior guard Khendel Rolison and senior guard Jamie Finn kept the Tigers fighting, but crucial shots by the Saints kept them firmly in control at the end of the quarter, leading 29-9.

The second quarter began with Demosthenes converting two free throws, igniting an 8-point run for the Tigers. The Saints, however, were unfazed and responded with an 8-point run of their own. ONU kept the offense alive with four three-pointers in the closing minutes, two from junior guard Preslee Michael and one each from freshman guard Kayleigh Flach and junior guard Madison Smith, but the Saints still held a comfortable 54-33 lead at halftime.

Demosthenes opened the third quarter with a layup, but USF responded with a three-pointer to push their lead back to 22. Undeterred, ONU fought back with layups from Rolison and Finn, slowly chipping away at the deficit. The Tigers continued to attack the basket and convert free throws, keeping the score close. A late layup by sophomore forward Brooklyn Marshall brought ONU within 13 points heading into the final quarter, 70-57.

The Tigers came out firing in the fourth quarter, with senior guard Bett O'Neal's layup cutting the lead to 11. However, USF answered with back-to-back layups of their own. Rolison sank two free throws to keep ONU's hopes alive, but a 7-point Saints run put them back up by 16. Demosthenes and Michael hit clutch shots in the final minutes, bringing the Tigers within single digits. With seconds remaining, Rolison drained a crucial three-pointer to make it an eight point game. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough. USF sank a pair of free throws to extend their lead to 10, and ONU's final three-pointer attempt rimmed out. The final buzzer sounded, sealing the Saints' 90-80 victory.

What's Next

ONU will be looking to bounce back from this tough loss as they travel to Gary, IN. to take on Indiana Northwest on Jan. 6th. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. CST.

--ONU—

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