MacMurray Women's basketball team (2-16, 1-8 SLIAC) defeated the Blackburn Women's basketball team (4-12, 1-8 SLIAC) 59-58. Saturday January 19th.
The Highlanders came to play with a 10-0 lead to start the game. Their largest lead was thirteen points as the score was 20-07 with 1:55 left in the first quarter MacMurray was hot in the first quarter shooting 62% from the floor and 75% from behind the arc. Shelby Fink lead the Highlanders with 13 points after one. As for the Beavers, they went on a 9-2 run to close the gap 22-16. Blackburn was led by Callista Francis (Fredericktown, Missouri / Fredericktown) with eight of her own, (4-4) from the charity line.
As for the second quarter it was a low scoring affair as Blackburn outscored MacMurray 10-7. Both teams went cold from the floor both shot under 16% for the quarter. Francis and Jenna Dudra (Pana, Illinois / Pana) both had four points in the quarter. The Beavers cut the lead to just three going into halftime.
For the third quarter the Beavers outscored the Highlanders 15-12. Lexi Black did a little of everything in the quarter as she had six points (2-3) from the floor, (2-2) from the line. She also had two rebounds, one assist, and one steal. Both teams improved there shooting as both shot over 37%. The score was tied at 41 going into the 4th.
The 4th quarter was decided by free throws, as both teams shot eleven. MacMurray shot 9-11 (81%) the Beavers shot 5-11 (46%) With that being said the Beavers still had a chance to win the game. With 2:21 left in regulation Blackburn trailed 53-48. The Beavers went on a 7-3 run to close the gap to just one point. After a few free throws the score was 58-55 Highlanders, then with 21 seconds left Freshman Forward Madison Duncan (Dixon, Missouri / Dixon) connects on a clutch corner three to tie the ball game. With ten seconds left Sophomore Guard Kaylie Stowe makes one of two from the foul line to give Mac a one-point lead. As time expired Sophomore Guard Savana Kruse (Lake St. Louis, Missouri / Liberty) misses a five-foot jumper to win the game. Mac wins 59-58.
The Beavers would lead by Francis's twelve points (6-8 FT) and six rebounds, Dudra with eleven points, four rebounds and two steals, Black had ten points six rebounds, two assist, two steals.
UP NEXT: Blackburn travels to Westminster to play on Wednesday January 23rd. Game will start at 5:30.