STRONG START FIZZLES OUT AGAINST REDHAWKS

BOURBONNAIS, IL. – It was a heartbreaker in McHie Arena on Wednesday night, as the Olivet Nazarene University women's basketball team fell to the Indiana University Northwest Redhawks by a score of 75-61.

The game started slow, with both teams struggling to find the basket early. However, it was the Redhawks who drew first blood with a successful free throw, quickly answered by consecutive three-pointers from Anne Peters and Preslee Michael. This propelled the Tigers to a brief lead, embarking on a 10-2 run. Despite ONU's initial control, the Redhawks managed to trim the deficit, concluding the quarter trailing by eight points at 24-16. 

Khendel Rolison opened the second with a quick layup, restoring ONU's ten-point advantage. But the Redhawks refused to relent, keeping the Tigers within striking distance. The tide turned with a decisive 12-0 Redhawks run, flipping the script and taking a 7-point lead. ONU fought back with two layups to narrow the gap to 3 points at halftime, trailing 41-38.

The Redhawks roared out of the gate in the third, reeling off an 8-0 run to extend their lead to 11 points. Despite facing adversity, ONU responded with determination, stringing together consecutive three-pointers to trim the deficit to five points. Nevertheless, IUNW surged ahead once more with a 9-0 run, entering the final moments of the game with a commanding 60-46 lead. 

The final quarter saw a fierce exchange of baskets, but the Redhawks maintained control. Kayleigh Flach's crucial free throw with five minutes remaining brought the Tigers within nine points, but the Redhawks quickly extinguished the hope of a comeback with five unanswered points. Jamie Finn's late layup wasn't enough as the Redhawks secured the 75-61 victory.

What's Next

The Tigers look to bounce back on Feb. 10th, when they host the Jaguars of Governors State University. Tip-off is set for 1:00 p.m CST.

--ONU—

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