CARLINVILLE, IL – The regular season came to a close on a high note for the Principia Women's Basketball team on Saturday as the Panthers routed the Blackburn Beavers, 85-39. This was the highest point total of the season for Principia, and 46 points is also their highest margin of victory. The Panthers came into the game 11-11, and this win gives the team their first winning regular season since 2007!
The regular season has been a growing process for the young Panthers. The team is made up of three freshmen, four sophomores, and one junior. They have gone into every contest this season outnumbered by their opponent's rosters and with less overall game experience. So for the team to mature, each member has had to grow their game throughout the year. The players' growth has come at different speeds, with some blossoming early – like freshmen
Taylor Brown and
Ariana Williams – and some coming into their own later on – like sophomore
Deija Carter. Saturday's game was the accumulation of an entire season of growth for the entire team.
The Panthers got back to their usual fast starts with early buckets by
Paige Fowler,
Taylor Brown, and
Ariana Williams. Just over three minutes in,
Deija Carter subbed in and immediately went to work. She got 7 of her team-leading 15 rebounds in the first quarter and went 6 for 6 from the foul line on her way to a 10 point game. This was Carter's first collegiate double double which helped the Panthers to win the first quarter at 17-7.
"Deija is one of those players who needed time to grow her confidence," says Coach Ro. "She had the game skills and is a great player, but she needed to get more confident in her abilities. She earned her time by trusting the process, maturing her game, and trying to keep things simple. I am so happy to see her success today. She has definitely earned it."
The second quarter opened up with a barrage of buckets for Principia as the defense tightened and the Panthers went on a 18-0 run. Brown and Fowler again led the attack on both ends with each recording 7 points in the quarter. Brown would finish with her third collegiate double double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
After going up 22 at the half, the third and fourth quarters were much of the same story as strong Principia defense led to great offensive execution. The Panthers outscored the Beavers 43-19 in the second half to get the 85-39 victory. This was a much-needed win for the Panthers heading into the tournament since they were coming in having lost six of their last seven games.
Coach Ro reflecting on this season: "The women on this team are just so impressive. Just eight on the roster, and all eight show up every day to word hard and get better. Then all eight show up every game day ready to prove to themselves and their teammates that the hard work is paying off. They have made Principia history this season, and it is only the beginning. 16 years since the last winning regular season and berth into the SLIAC Tournament. They deserve and have earned every opportunity that comes their way. I truly could not be prouder of them."
Up Next: The Panthers finish the conference season as the 5th seed at 7-7. They will head down to Fontbonne on Tuesday to take on the 4th seeded Griffins in the SLIAC Quarterfinals at 7:00 pm. Principia beat Fontbonne in their gym earlier this season, so come out and support the team as they try and beat the Griffins again!
