ST. LOUIS, MO - The Principia College Women's Basketball team was defeated by the now 13-0 Webster University Gorloks 104-65 on Saturday afternoon. Despite the score, the Panthers left the gym full of promise and pride after battling the Gorloks for a full 40 minutes. The Panthers' 65 points matched the highest total they have scored this year (the other being their overtime win against Knox College).
The Principia women showed up at Webster with a depleted roster due to both Covid-19 protocols taking two players away from the team for the last week as well as leading scorer Alana Hinson and starter Lydia Klutho unable to play with injuries. With just 8 players available for the game, the Panthers' goals were to work hard and keep improving every possession, and they definitely achieved those standards. Led by sophomore Aaliyah Scott's game leading 23 points, Principia managed to consistently be on the attack on the offensive end against the toughest defensive team in the conference.
Freshman Paige Fowler followed Aaliyah in the scoring column with 14 points while freshman Tyliah Williams recorded her first double double of her young career with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Freshman guard Carolina Rojas added 9 points and 5 steals, and fellow freshman Raina Bryant contributed in several stat categories with 6 points, 7 assists, and 5 steals of her own. When both Bryant and Georgia Rather had in-game setbacks that forced them from the game, the Panthers had to utilize their full bench with Lauren Arens and Merrily Arnold getting playing time and showing well.
After the game, Coach Ro commented: "I could not be more proud of the young women that are in that locker room right now. We came here today knowing that we had a huge mountain to climb playing a team as great as Webster, but we didn't back down or hang our heads. These women all came out here and gave us every ounce they had within themselves. Lauren Arens stepped up huge when Raina Bryant left the game. We had to ask a lot of her and she never hesitated to do what was asked. Every game, we keep working on getting better, and I am just so overjoyed by how hard these women worked today."
Up Next: The Panthers have two home games next week - hosting Fontbonne on Tuesday at 5:30 PM and Greenville on Saturday at 1:00 PM as they go for their first conference win. Come out and support!
