Box Score Elsah, Ill. - This afternoon the Principia College women's basketball team faced the Beavers of Blackburn College in their final home game of the season. Having lost to Blackburn earlier this season, Principia was looking to even the score and honor their lone senior
Hayley Cooke with a home court victory. Starting off strong with a three point play from freshman point guard
Spencer Randolph, the Panthers looked poised to take an early lead, but the Beavers hit the boards hard (out-rebounding the Panthers by 10 in the first half) and a few miscues on offense put Principia in an eleven point hole before the Panthers got back on track. The Panthers were kept afloat in large part by Randolph, who had 11 of her 13 total points in the first half, as well as some crucial defense from junior captain
Becca DeNicholas. Principia slowly fought back, and when the buzzer sounded at half time, the Beavers lead had been cut to 6.
The 2nd half got off to a rocky start for the Panthers, but just a couple minutes in, Principia regrouped and decided to play some of the best team basketball they have played so far this season. Leading the rebounding charge was freshman forward
Rachel Perea, who had all of her 13 total rebounds in the second half. This helped the Panthers close the rebounding gap and keep Blackburn off the scoreboard. Perea was also joined in her efforts by her twin sister
Isabella Perea, who had 6 boards in her 17 minutes of play. Even scoring and united defensive stops allowed Principia to come back and eventually take the lead, going up 48-41 with just under 5 minutes to play. However, a flurry of turnovers in the back court allowed the Beavers to find some momentum and climb all the way back, taking a 1 point lead with 2:30 left in the game. A critical lay-up from junior captain
Karina Olsen off a sweet dime from
Rachel Perea put the Panthers back in the lead, and Blackburn had to resort to the foul game in order to stop the clock. Randolph and Perea both stepped to the line and sunk their free throws, allowing the Panthers to hold on to their lead, and pull out the victory 57-52.
This truly was a united victory, requiring every single member of the team to secure the win. Balanced scoring had four Panthers in double digits; Olsen and DeNicholas finished with 13, Randolph with 14, and
Rachel Perea with 15 to add to her game high 13 boards. This win is a great example of the continued dedication and hard work of this Panther squad, and they will look to finish the season along the same lines in their final game next Tuesday, February 25th at Greenville College. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 pm.
