BALANCED ATTACKS PUSHES TIGERS TO 92-76 VICTORY OVER TAYLOR
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Taylor (IN) (3-1) | 13 | 20 | 23 | 20 | 76 |
|
Olivet Nazarene (IL) (1-3) | 30 | 19 | 19 | 24 | 92 |
BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – Olivet Nazarene University's (ONU) women's basketball team notched their first victory of the season on Saturday, defeating Taylor University 92-76 in a thrilling home game. The Tigers' offense was firing on all cylinders, with key contributions from multiple players and a strong defensive performance that kept Taylor at bay.
In the first quarter, ONU set the tone offensively, shooting an impressive 54.5% from the field. Leading the charge was Preslee Michael, who scored early and often, finishing the game with 14 points, including 6 rebounds and 2 assists. ONU's defense also held strong, limiting Taylor to just 13 points, and closing the quarter with a commanding 30-13 lead.
Moving into the second quarter, ONU's shooting cooled off to 34.8%, but the Tigers maintained their lead through aggressive rebounding and control in the paint. Brooklyn Marshall showed her presence on the boards with 8 rebounds, while also contributing 14 points. Khendel Rolison added valuable minutes off the bench, recording 13 points and grabbing 5 rebounds. At halftime, ONU held onto a solid 49-33 lead.
In the third quarter, Taylor attempted a comeback, but ONU's relentless energy kept them at bay. Michael continued to add to her scoring tally, while Lindsey Nell, who recorded 7 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 assist overall, played a crucial role on both ends. Taylor managed to outscore ONU in this quarter, but the Tigers' lead remained intact with a score of 68-53.
The fourth quarter saw ONU close out the game with a solid team effort. ONU's bench contributed significantly, scoring a total of 40 points throughout the game, with players like Molli Ward adding 3 points and Jayden Flagg adding 9 points. With consistent free-throw shooting and effective defense, ONU held Taylor to 20 points in the final quarter and secured the 92-76 victory.
Looking Ahead
ONU will hit the road for their next game against Marian University on November 13th at 4:30 p.m. CST. This away game will be a crucial test for the Tigers as they look to build on this victory and continue their momentum into the season.
--ONU—
*Contact Anyssa Hampton, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, ahampton@olivet.edu
