WYOMING, Mich. – Today at the Aldrich Athletic Center, the host Grace Bible College Tigers (10-8) defeated the Mount Mary University women's basketball team by a score of 68-53. The win gives the Tigers a four game winning streak while moving the Blue Angels to 4-9 on the year.
From the start each team was attacking with a pressure defense and a fast paced offense. The Tigers took control early by attacking from afar going 4-of-12 from the 3-point line. That deep attack gave GBC enough room to control the offensive glass also as the Tigers scored seven second chance points in the quarter. That translated to an 18-10 lead at the end of the opening quarter.
The Blue Angels stepped up their offense in the second quarter hitting 7-of-17 from the field. Leading that charge was senior guard Ariel Oviedo (Shawano, Wis.). The Blue Angel senior continually attacked the open court and found herself with nine points at the end of the first half to lead MMU.
GBC stretched the lead out to 42-25 at the end of the first half. Attacking with both inside and outside shots the Tigers scored another 12 points from the 3-point line as they hit 4-of-8 from downtown, 10-of-20 from the field.
As the Blue Angels fought off the Tigers and fatigue they found the strength to continually attack the basket and slow down their opponents in the final 20 minutes. MMU scored 17 points in the third quarter and hit 7-of-8 from the free throw line for their biggest offensive output of the afternoon.
Beginning the fourth quarter 61-42, the Blue Angels neutralized the opposition's offense and did not allow a Tiger basket for over six minutes of play. Cutting the deficit to 11, the Tigers finally knocked in their first score of the quarter with 3:50 left on the clock, effectively ending the MMU run.
"Defensively we clamped down in the 2nd half, but ultimately had dug too big of a hole to completely overcome," said Mount Mary Head Basketball Coach Marc Heidorf after Saturday's game. "I continue to be encouraged by the development of Rae [Grubbs] and Brooke [Uebersetzig]. They still take their knocks but nothing keeps them down. As a result, they just get better every game."
Four Blue Angels scored ten or more points against the Tigers including Rae Grubbs (Fr./Covington, Ind.) and Uebersetzig. Rookie Brooke Uebersetzig (Fr./Greenwood, Ind.) led that offensive charge with 13 points, three rebounds, one steal and one assist. Teammate Becky Onan (Jr./Grafton, Wis.) helped the team out with 12 points, eight rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block.
Following today's game the Blue Angels will get ready for a contest against Andrews University (3-12). The Cardinals will play host tomorrow in Berrien Springs, Mich. with the game starting at 12:00 pm CST. Stay tuned to mtmaryathletics.com for links to live video and game previews.
