JOLIET, Ill. – Olivet Nazarene University’s (ONU) women’s basketball team secured their eighth consecutive win with a thrilling 82-78 road victory over the University of St. Francis on Saturday afternoon.
In the first quarter, the Tigers came out a little sluggish, with St. Francis shooting 57.9% from the field. Lindsey Nell and Hattie Hagedorn led ONU with 6 points apiece, but the Tigers trailed 26-23. Brooklyn Marshall contributed 4 rebounds, and Olivia Dirkse added a quick 3 points, but ONU couldn’t fully contain the Fighting Saints’ offensive flow.
The second quarter was a turning point for ONU, as they tightened up defensively, holding St. Francis to just 13 points. Preslee Michael was instrumental, scoring 6 points and grabbing 2 rebounds to help the Tigers outscore the Fighting Saints 20-13 in the frame. Khendel Rolison added 3 points, while the bench added a combined 5 boards, allowing ONU to take a 43-39 lead into halftime.
The third quarter saw both teams battle neck and neck, with ONU maintaining a slight edge, scoring 20 points while St. Francis matched them point for point. Dirkse stayed hot with 8 points, while Marshall and Bett O’Neal each chipped in 3 points. St. Francis was sharp from the field, shooting 50% overall and an impressive 80% from beyond the arc in the period. Despite their hot shooting, the Fighting Saints couldn’t take the lead, and ONU held onto a 63-59 advantage as they headed into the final quarter.
The fourth quarter came down to the wire, as both squads put up 19 points apiece. However, ONU’s free throw shooting down the stretch put the game to bed. Rolison led the charge, knocking down 3 of 4 from the line. Dirske and Michael finished in double figures, with 20 and 13 points, respectively. The Tigers weathered a late surge from the Fighting Saints, ultimately securing a hard-fought 82-78 victory.
Looking Ahead
The Tigers will next face Indiana University Northwest on Feb. 5th at 5:00 p.m. CST in another road conference matchup. The Tigers will look to extend their win streak while keeping their sights set on the top of the conference standings.
–ONU—
*Contact Anyssa Hampton, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, ahampton@olivet.edu
