Box Score ELSAH, Ill. – This afternoon the Principia College women's basketball team hosted the Webster University Gorloks in their home opener, and 2
nd conference match-up of the season. The game got off to an intense but chaotic start, with neither team scoring in their first couple offensive possessions. It was junior forward
Isabella Perea who drew first blood, scoring two point for the Panthers around the seven minute mark. This was quickly followed by a basket from
Kara Johnson - she had 13 first half points - before the Gorloks found the basket. Principia traded baskets with the Gorloks, keeping it close while also getting some crucial stops on defense, but Webster had the slight edge at the end of the quarter up 15-10.
In the 2
nd quarter the Panther offense was jump-started by sophomore shooting guard
Megan Selby who hit a critical three within the first few seconds, providing Principia with the extra boost needed to chip away at the Webster lead. Johnson and junior forward
Rachel Perea then took over on offense, both converting some remarkable drives to the basket and cashing in points at the free throw line (as a team the Panthers shot 75% from the charity stripe). Winning the 2
nd quarter 21-17, Principia was able to head into the locker room at halftime down just one point, 31-32.
Unfortunately, Principia struggled throughout the 3
rd quarter, as the Gorloks got hot from outside which allowed them to take a double-digit lead which they would never relinquish. This combined the 8 Panther turnovers put Principia on their back heels, and while they were able to refocus and rediscover their offensive rhythm in the 4
th quarter, the deficit was too much to overcome and the Gorloks came away with the 73-57 point victory. Notable statistical contributions include
Rachel Perea with 15 points to which she added three steals, and Johnson who had a game high 22 points and 8 rebounds.
The Panthers do not play again until next Saturday, December12th. They will then face conference opponent MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Ill. Game time is set for 1:00 pm.
