CONWAY, AR – The Principia Women's Basketball team left it all on the court in Arkansas as the Panthers came out with another huge win to start the season 2-0. This marks the first time in the last 12 years that the Panther women have won their first two games against other NCAA DIII opponents.
Defense was the key to the night as Principia was facing a big, high-powered opponent in Southwestern University from Georgetown, Texas. Not only were the Panthers out-sized, but they were also out-numbered as Southwestern has a roster of 18 (13 of which played) compared to Principia's current roster of eight.
The Panthers set the defensive tone right from the tip with five straight stops to get the game rolling and a 7-0 advantage. The defense stayed tight, and Principia finished the first quarter with a 17-7 lead. The second quarter found Southwestern finding a little more momentum. The Panthers started getting into some foul trouble that would become a burden the entire game, but they still managed to go into the locker at halftime with a 9-point advantage. The stingy post defense of
Alana Hinson (9 points 6 rebounds),
Paige Fowler (12 points and 4 rebounds), and
Deija Carter (1 point and 3 rebounds) was a key to Principia's success.
The beginning of the third was a defensive struggle from both teams as the quarter ended in a 11-11 tie with Principia still clinging to a 9-point lead.
Carolina Rojas (14 points and 4 rebounds) had a huge game as the leading scorer for either team. The fourth quarter saw the foul trouble and some fatigue set in for the Panthers. Their 9-point lead vanished, and they lost their lead after Fowler picked up her fifth personal foul with 90 seconds to go.
Down one with 1:32 left on the clock, the Panthers never looked nervous or unsure. They went down and got another defensive stop when
Taylor Brown (4 points and 6 rebounds) took her third defensive charge of the the second half. This burst of energy charged the Panthers up and they found a second wind. On their next possession,
Ariana Williams (12 points and 5 rebounds) came up clutch with a baseline left hand drive to the rim where she made a very athletic floater with her right hand to give the lead back to the Panthers for good. Brown then took her fourth charge of the game then and was fouled on the ensuing inbounds. She hit both of her foul shots to seal the 52-48 win.
Up Next: The Panthers will look to stay undefeated in their home opener next Saturday at 1:00 pm against Franklin College.
