Women's Hoops Falls Short Against Waynesburg
Jan. 9 - BETHANY, W. Va. - Despite four players in double figures and a 19-point performance from senior Gabrielle Naples (Salem, Ohio/South Range), the Bethany women's basketball team dropped a tough decision against Waynesburg University, 82-75, on Saturday afternoon.
The first quarter of action was neck-and-neck, including three ties and two lead changes. Bethany would quickly jump to a five-point advantage (5-0) at the beginning of the contest on a jumper from senior Sami Schott (Caldwell, Ohio/Shenandoah) and a Naples three-pointer.
The Yellow Jackets would not go away, however, gaining the lead just under the two-minute mark of the opening stanza on a Julie Deklaven three-pointer (13-12). The Bison would retake the lead by the end of the quarter on an Ashley Duthie (Madison, Ohio/Madison) layup, taking a two-point lead into the second frame (17-15).
The second quarter belonged to the Bison, who led for the entire period. The Green & White experienced their largest lead of the game thanks to a Kelsea Daugherty (Newport, Ohio/Frontier) jumper with 2:05 left to play (29-22).
Waynesburg would cut the lead to three, but Bethany would regain a seven-point advantage for the second time on Naples layup (33-26). The Bison would head into halftime with a five point lead (33-28) after a Cassidy O'Keefe buzzer beater.
In the first half, Naples and Daugherty led the way for Bethany, combining for 22 of the team's 28 points. Naples shot a perfect four-of-four from the field en route to 11 points. Daugherty also chipped in 11, shooting four-of-six from the field.
Waynesburg would come out of the locker room on a mission, quickly retaking the lead for the first time since the first quarter on a Katie Gehlmann three-pointer (36-35). The Bison would respond, regaining the lead on the next possession on a Hayley Holenka (Shadyside, Ohio/
Shadyside) three-pointer. This was the start of a back-and-forth affair that lasted the majority of the third quarter, including five ties and seven lead changes.
With 3:28 left to play in the third frame, the Yellow Jackets would surge ahead, going on a 15-3 run through the end of the quarter, giving them their largest lead of the game (63-52).
Needing to quickly cut into Waynesburg's lead, the Bison resorted to applying full-court pressure in the fourth quarter. After a 6-0 run of their own and a Duthie three-pointer with 3:40 remaining in the game, the Green & White found themselves down four (71-67). This was the closest Bethany would get, however, as Waynesburg would hand the Bison a 82-75 defeat.
Naples led the way for the Bison, finishing with 19 points to go along four assists, four rebounds, and three steals.
Other offensive leaders for the Bison included Daugherty, Holenka, and Mikyla Tipton (Wellsville, Ohio/Wellsville). Daugherty tallied 14 points, also adding four rebounds and four steals. Tipton added 13 points and seven boards, while Holenka finished with 10 points. This marks the ninth time this season Holenka has scored in double figures.
The Green & White will be back in action on Wednesday, Jan. 13 as they host the Titans of Westminster College in a conference bout. The game is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start.