CARLINVILLE, IL – The Principia Women's Basketball team traveled to Blackburn College on a snowy Saturday afternoon for a conference clash with the Beavers. The Panthers came away with the definition of a team win as all 12 active players scored at least a point and got at least one rebound. The team exemplified playing for each other as the bench exploded for every person who scored and starters never complained about giving up minutes to their teammates. The 78-41 final score is secondary to this special display of team love and unity that is common for this year's Panther women.
Blackburn was able to hang with Principia to open the game as the Panthers didn't take complete control of the game until the 3:47 mark in the first when a steal by
Deija Carter led to a easy layup by
Ariana Williams to put Principia up 10-6 as they never looked back. Carter played an amazing defensive game, finishing with a team-high 3 steals plus a block and 6 rebounds before her day ended early with an ankle injury. The first ended with a big 3-pointer by
Lydia Stalnaker which put the Panthers up 15-9. Stalnaker finished the game with 3 points, 3 rebounds, and a steal.
The second quarter began to showcase the Panthers' scoring depth.
Samantha Goodrich scored her first points of the season on a long two as she finished with 3 points and 2 rebounds. Principia put up 24 points in the quarter and only surrendered 9 points to head to halftime up 39-18. Also scoring in the quarter was
Isabella Pierce, who finished with 4 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and a block.
The third was continued more of the same for the Panthers as the starters kept looking to command the attention of the defense to allow the younger core to get in on the scoring.
Miyala Gallegos took advantage and continued to show her hustle with a tough score on a layup as well as a long three pointer later in the game. She finished with a total of 6 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist. In the fourth quarter, roommates
Elyssa White and
Dana Galinis put on a show with White going for 4 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists, while Galinis secured 6 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist.
Trinniti Matthews would lead all bench players with 10 points, plus 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal.
As for the Panthers' veteran starters,
Taylor Brown stayed locked in and led the team with 19 points for the second game in a row. Brown also chipped in 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals.
Ariana Williams had another great game stuffing the stat sheet with 12 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block.
Alana Hinson finished with 8 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal, while
Paige Fowler had 2 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block and 1 steal. This win moves Principia into solo second place in the SLIAC standings at 6-2.
Coach Ro said afterwards: "What an amazing group of women! They are more excited to see each other succeed then they are themselves. They are just the best teammates and are great examples of being "servant leaders". It is a special thing when you have a core group that plays a majority of the minutes but are more excited for the success of the younger players. This team is a great example that sometimes talent wins a ball game, but great people win so much more than a game or a season. I could not be more proud and am so lucky to be blessed with these great women."
Up Next: Principia will host the Spalding University Golden Eagles on Thursday at 5:30 pm. Come support the team if you are on campus or in the area!
