Spalding Women's Basketball team (18-6, 13-2 SLIAC) defeated home team Blackburn (4-20, 1-15 SLIAC) 71-59 Thursday night.

            The first quarter was low scoring and tightly contested as the largest lead was three points held by Spalding five to two with 8:17 left in the quarter. Both teams shot under 43% from the floor. Sophomore guard Jenna Dudra (Pana, Illinois / Pana) lead the Beavers with four points and three steals. Madison Duncan (Dixon, Missouri / Dixon) connects on a three with :51 left in the quarter to give Blackburn a 13 to eleven lead. 13 to eleven was the score going into the second quarter.

            The second quarter the Golden Eagles outscored the Beavers 21 to eleven. Both teams shot over 43% from the floor and over 33% from behind the arc. Spalding went on a seven to nothing run and led 24-15 with 5:53 left in the quarter. Megan Goeing led the Golden Eagles with nine points three of four 3PM-A. Dudra led the Beavers with four points and a steal. 32-24 was Spalding's lead at the half.  

            The third quarter was another low scoring affair as there were only 20 points scored between the two teams. Spalding outscored the Beavers 13 to seven. The Golden Eagles shot 50% from the floor and 66% from behind the arc. Blackburn went cold shooting under 22% from the floor and 25%from behind the arc. Savanna Kruse (Lake St. Louis, Missouri / Liberty) lead the Beavers with three points. Spalding's lead was 45-31 entering the fourth quarter.

            The fourth quarter displayed little if any defense. As Blackburn outscored Spalding 28-26. Kruse lead all scorers in the quarter with twelve points four of four FGM-A two of two, 3PM-A, two of two FTM-A. With 7:25 left Kruse hits a three-pointer to bring the Beavers with in ten points 51-41. That was the closest Blackburn could get it. As the Final score was 71-59.

Blackburn shot 43% from the from the field. They were led by Kruse's 17 points and five rebounds, and Dudra with 16 points, seven steals, and five rebounds.

Spalding shot 46% from the field and had four players with ten points or more.

UP NEXT: Senior Day as Blackburn host Principia Saturday, February 16th tip-off is at 1 p.m.