DELAWARE, OH – The Principia women's basketball team closed out 2024 with a road trip to Ohio Wesleyan University for back-to-back games against the Ohio Northern Polar Bears and the Battling Bishops of Ohio Wesleyan.
The first game on Sunday afternoon against Ohio Northern was a close battle that resulted in the Panthers first overtime contest of the season. Down by 13 points at halftime, and then 9 with only 6:30 to play, the Panthers stormed back to tie the game at 57 with 2:05 remaining. After a Principia attempt at a game-winner at the buzzer went off the rim, Ohio Northern took control in OT by outscoring the Panthers 10-2 in the extra frame to win 67-59.
The second game on Monday afternoon against Ohio Wesleyan was a tough fight against one of the strongest teams in the country. The hosts from OWU seized control right away and ran out to a 28-11 lead by the end of the first quarter. For the rest of the game, the Panthers held their own as they were only outscored by two points in the final three periods combined. In the end, Ohio Wesleyan would win 61-42.
Taylor Brown scored a team-best 14 points per game in the tournament, adding a total of 8 rebounds and 4 assists.
Ariana Williams led the Panthers with 13 points against Ohio Northern, including three big three-pointers. Williams was named to the All-Tournament team at the conclusion of the Classic.
The Panthers will restart conference play on January 4th when they host Fontbonne University at 1:00 pm. The Panthers already defeated the Griffins on the road earlier this season.
