ELSAH, IL – The Principia Women's Basketball team finally hosted their first home game of the season on Thursday evening after seven road contests to start the campaign. New conference school Mississippi University for Women traveled up to Elsah for their first SLIAC game in program history and the two teams' first ever matchup. The Panthers' strong second quarter allowed them to overcome a shaky second half to earn a 78-65 victory.
The first quarter was a back-and-forth affair as the two unfamiliar sides settled into the game. Principia entered the second with a 15-14 edge as they raised their level and everything began to click. The Panthers put a strangle hold on the 1-3-1 defense of the Owls and started to pick apart the edges for easy scores. Principia would win the quarter by 14 to take a 42-27 lead at halftime.
The Owls came back from the break determined to get back into the game while the Panthers started to play with less urgency. After MUW outscored Principia 19-15 in the third quarter, they continued their comeback throughout most of the fourth as they cut the lead to 1 at 65-64 with 3:30 remaining. The Panthers decided they'd had enough and closed the game on a 13-1 run with clutch plays on both sides of the ball to win the game 78-65.
For the first time this season, all five starters finished in double figures.
Taylor Brown continued her strong start to 2023-24 with a season-high 20 points.
Carolina Rojas also had her best game of the season with 17 points plus 5 assists and 3 steals.
Trinniti Matthews finished with her second double-double of the year with 14 points and 10 rebounds as well as 4 blocks.
Alana Hinson and
Ariana Williams chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Coach Ro said afterwards: "MUW is a tough team, and I give them all the credit for how hard they play, even down big. After the Owls got back into the game, we were able to win the game with tough defense, hitting the glass, and making simple plays. I am very proud of the fight of our team, and I love seeing our growth."
Up Next: The Panthers are right back at it on Saturday vs Lyon College as they continue their three-game conference homestand. Come cheer on the women in Hay Field House at 1:00 pm!
