GRAND RAPIDS, MI - The Panthers traveled to Grand Rapids, MI for their first official game of the season against the Calvin University Knights of the MIAA conference. The experienced Knights were a tough matchup for the young Principia Panthers. However, the Panthers showed a lot of grit and determination, playing hard from beginning to end.
The Panthers opened the season and the game with Alana Hinson hitting a long-range 2 point jump shot off of an assist by Aaliyah Scott. The 1st quarter ended with the Panthers down 8-22 to the Knights who used their size difference in the paint to get ahead big. The Panthers played hard in the 2nd quarter but had a difficult time getting into an offensive rhythm. Halftime came with a 13 to 47 deficit.
In the 3rd quarter, the Panthers got on a run with back-to-back attacks of the rim by Carolina Rojas and Raina Bryant. This was followed by a Paige Fowler three to cap the 7 point run. Paige Fowler would end the game perfect from the three-point line going 2 for 2. In the 4th quarter, the Panthers turned up their defense and pressured full court using their trio of speedy guards and started to find their composure at both ends of the floor. Alana Hinson made her college debut with an impressive stat line of 17 points and 8 rebounds, including 3 three-pointers.
Nine members of the Women's Basketball team are new to collegiate basketball with this being their first official game, but they are learning fast. The Panthers are eager to gain more experience with each game and become tougher and more defensively intelligent as a group. The team is looking forward to building on their rebounding numbers on both ends of the floor as well. The Panthers also want to be more efficient with the basketball which will allow them to find easier shots within their offense.
Head Coach Ramiro Dominguez commented, "Today, we faced off against a tough opponent from a powerful conference. We are a young team with nine of our ten players experiencing their first game. We played hard for the full 40 minutes regardless of the score. we are a young team with nine of our ten players experiencing their first collegiate game. We have things to build on and things to get better at which is what you expect early on in the season."
Up Next: Principia will travel to Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods, IN., on Saturday, November 18th, and will play at 6:00 PM.
