CARLINVILLE, IL -- Blackburn College Women's Basketball was defeated by the Mississippi University for Women Owls in St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic play, 81-70.

The Beavers were led by Freshman Kailynn Kruep with 21 points, followed by Freshman Kenadee Frey with 9 points of her own. Sophomore Caidy Tuetken led Blackburn in the assists category with 7 assists, followed by Kruep as she accumulated 5 assists. Freshman Becca Benoit led the Beavers in rebounding with 6 rebounds. Freshman Ashanti Jones and Tuetken came second in that category with 4 rebounds of their own. Blackburn would lead the game in blocks as they had 6, compared to MUW with only one.

Blackburn would start the game strong as they came out of the gate as at the 8:38 mark, Kruep's three-pointer gave them a 7-0 run. The Owls would fight back in the quarter as Aaliyah Moody's layup at the 4:11 mark cut the Beavers's lead to two, 11-9. Nonetheless, Blackburn would respond as an Aryanna Harris three-pointer ended the first quarter with a 4-point lead for Blackburn, 17-13.

In the 2nd quarter, MUW would get their first lead of the game as at the 4:24 minute, two free throws by Moody would make it, 31-29. Yet, Blackburn would not go away easily and both teams kept it tightly contested as the game was tied at the end of the half with the score, 38-38.

In the 3rd quarter, the Owls were poised to take control of the game as a Moody three-pointer at the 1:50 minute of the 3rd quarter gave them the biggest lead of the game of 15, 62-47. Yet, Danielle Vogel and Ashanti Jones hit two jumpers to diminish the Owls lead to 11 to end the quarter, 62-51.  

Blackburn would try to remount a comeback starting the 4th quarter. The Beavers went on a 16-8 run that was capped off at the 1:26 minute of the quarter with an Elizabeth Morris fastbreak layup to cut the lead to three points, 67-70. However, MUW found a way to withhold the comeback and ended the game with an 11-3 run to win, 81-70.

Blackburn will have a quick turnaround as on Saturday they take on another SLIAC opponent, Lyon College at 1 pm.