Fourth Quarter Comeback Propels Women's Basketball to 59-53 Win

WATERTOWN, WI– The Blackburn College Women's Basketball team scored 31 points in the fourth quarter to win in comeback fashion to defeat Maranatha Baptist University 59-53 Tuesday night. The Beavers outscored the Sabercats 31-14 during the final 10 minutes. 

Senior Miley Kwiatkowski led the Beavers with 14 points while senior Caidy Tuetken tacked on 13 points along with 9 rebounds. Freshman Miya Means scored double figures for the first time of her career. Junior Zoe Mitchell came off the bench for the Beavers and recorded 14 rebounds on the night. 

Tuetken got the Beavers rolling with a quick bucket, followed by a Kwiatkowski made three to put the Beavers up 5-0. The Sabercats battled back and the teams went bucket for bucket until the end of the quarter. In the second quarter, both teams battled back and forth, neither willing to give an inch. At the half, the Sabercats led 25-23. 

The Sabercats picked up two easy buckets in the third quarter and took a six-point lead. The Beavers fought back but the Sabercats had momentum and pulled ahead by 11 by the end of the third quarter. However, the Beavers did not give up. 

Sophomore Gracie Jent got the fourth quarter going with a three to start the quarter, cutting the deficit to eight. The Beavers continued to fight back and capitalized at the free-throw line as they shot 18-25 from the charity stripe in the fourth quarter. With three minutes left in the game, Tuetken gave the Beavers a 45-43 lead. Blackburn never trailed the rest of the game and sank key free throws over the final minutes to secure their first victory of the year, 59-53. 

The Beavers return to action on the road as they take on division II opponent Mckendree University on Saturday, November 23rd. The open St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play Tuesday, November 26 by host Eureka College.