Box Score Peoria, Ill. - A unique opportunity for the Bradley Women's Basketball program (1-3) on Saturday, as the Braves went up against the McNeese State Cowgirls (1-3) at Carver Arena, the first regular season game for the program since 2013.
BACK-AND-FORTH EARLY
The game started evenly, with McNeese State and Bradley each trading shots. A layup from
Veronika Roberts made it 11-11 roughly midway through, but to that point, the Braves had never led. That's when
Celia Satter hit a three-pointer to give Bradley their first lead at 14-13. The Cowgirls hit a layup with seconds remaining, but there was just enough time for
Isis Fitch to race to the other end of the floor and bank in a three, capping off her 11-point first quarter and giving Bradley a 23-22 lead after 10 minutes.
GRABBING MOMENTUM
As the second quarter progressed, it simply seemed as if there was a different vibe in Carver Arena, as Bradley began to find the spark they needed.
Lucia Llaveria hit a shot from distance at the 7:21 mark, putting the Braves ahead 29-24 and forcing a Cowgirl timeout. At that point, McNeese State kept in within a close margin, but the Braves had control. After
Caroline Waite had hit a three earlier in the quarter, she drained another with under a minute until the half, part of her 11-point effort in the opening 20 minutes.
Veronika Roberts took a charge late in the quarter, and was subbed out to the tune of a very enthusiastic high five from head coach
Kate Popovec-Goss. Possessions late, the second trey of the quarter from
Caroline Waite set what would be the halftime score of 36-30, but not before one final possession from the Cowgirls.
Daija Powell came up with a thunderous block, but a McNeese State offensive rebound made things interesting, with the final shot just rimming out.
OUT AND RUNNING
Bradley used its push at the end of the first half and expanded that run to 11-2 early in the second quarter. On a fast break,
Ruba Abo Hashesh placed a pass perfectly for an
Alex Rouse layup, putting the Braves up 42-32 at the 6:00 mark, and forcing the Cowgirls to call time. From there, though, the air tightened up a bit. McNeese worked it back to within a 10-point game and kept Bradley on their toes. The Cowgirls got within 46-44 towards the end of the quarter, but
Alex Rouse hit a pull-up with just under a minute to go and sent the game to the fourth quarter with the Braves holding on to a four-point advantage.
ICING THE W
The Braves got off to a 5-0 start in the final quarter, capped by a free throw from
Isis Fitch after
Daija Powell and
Ruba Abo Hashesh had each made layups. The Fitch free throw put Bradley ahead 53-44. Fitch continued her career game by getting a steal and basket with 4:07 remaining to extend the lead back to double figures at 61-50. Bradley would move into a much more comfortable position when
Caroline Waite hit a three to go up 69-50 with 2:43 left, forcing the Cowgirls to use the timeout. The seconds ticked off, and Bradley came away with a 77-58 win over McNeese State for the first win of the
Kate Popovec-Goss Era.
WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE BRAVES
vs. Missouri Baptist Spartans
@ Renaissance Coliseum
Tuesday, November 22nd - 7PM
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