Box Score ELSAH, Ill. – This afternoon Principia College hosted the Greenville College Panthers in their latest conference match-up, and second meeting of the season. Greenville had won the battle of the Panthers in their latest meeting back in December by a significant margin, and were looking to complete their season sweep today. Unfortunately, their bid was successful, as Greenville eventually came away with the 62-42 victory.
It was Senior Day for Principia, and they were celebrating lone senior and captain
Kara Johnson. It was Johnson who got the Panthers off to their offensive start, but it was on the defensive end that Principia really came to play. The first quarter saw several remarkable defensive possessions for the Panthers who had their hands full with starting forwards Missy Deal and Coley Baker for Greenville. However, as the 2
nd quarter got under way, foul trouble hindered Principia and Greenville took advantage with a 9-2 run. Fortunately for the Panthers, sophomore point guard
Tanya Marquardt was hot from beyond the arc, hitting two clutch three pointers during the first half to keep Principia within striking distance. Down just nine points at the half, Principia headed into the locker with a score of 21-30.
To start the third quarter, Principia immediately gave up a three to Greenville shooting guard Taylor Paulin, followed by a back court turnover which gave Greenville a quick 15 point lead. Ultimately Principia never recovered from this one-two punch, and the Greenville Panthers would eventually grow their lead to twenty before Principia stopped the bleeding. Stellar defensive play from junior forward
Rachel Perea (she had 6 steals for the game) helped keep the score respectable, and continued scoring output from Johnson and Marquardt helped keep the Panthers heads above water. In the end though, the 2
nd-ranked Greenville squad was too much for Principia, and Greenville completed the season sweep with a final score of 62-42.
Johnson logged 15 points and Marquardt notched a conference career high of 13 points.
Principia plays next at home this coming Tuesday, February 16
th against Fontbonne University. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 pm, and following their game will be the Men's Basketball Senior Celebration.
