MILWAUKEE – The Mount Mary University women's basketball team came from behind to defeat visiting Robert Morris University Springfield (0-16) by a final score of 56-54. The win for the Blue Angels gives them a record of 5-11 on the season. The Blue Angels also had a day to celebrate the life of Tajah Williams who played for MMU last season.
Jumping out early, the Eagles got out to as much as an eight point lead early on in the first quarter. Although held to a 2-of-13 performance from the field, the Blue Angels got to the free throw line 12 times in the frame and knocked down eight of their opportunities.
Down 13-12 to begin the second quarter, the Blue Angels matched the opposition point for point. Rae Grubbs (Fr./Covington, Ind.) led the charge during the second with five of the Blue Angels ten points. Forcing six Eagle turnovers in the frame and holding their opponents to 4-of-12 from the field kept things at a close 23-22 RMU Springfield lead at halftime.
The Eagles stretched out their slim lead out to 12 points in the third quarter. RMU hit 47.4 percent from the field in the third and held MMU to 2-of-15 from the field. MMU was able to stay in the game by hitting 11-of-12 free throws as they cut that lead to eight to begin the fourth.
The Blue Angels continued to pressure the Eagles. Forcing 12 Eagle turnovers in the final frame, the Blue Angels were able to limit their opposition's opportunities. 90 seconds into the quarter, the game's leading scorer E'Lexus Murrell received her fifth, and eventually sixth, foul of the game. The sixth came as a technical foul and left the Eagles without their leading scorer and ball handler for the remainder of the game.
MMU energized themselves and climbed to within four points. When a loose ball turned into an flagrant foul from Eagle guard Kaitlyn Appleman, the Blue Angels sent rookie Brooke Uebersetzig (Fr./Greenwood, Ind.) to the line as she hit both shots cutting the lead to just two.
Following a key free throw from senior Jess Runge (Freedom, Wis.), Rae Grubbs corralled the ball after MMU forced the issue with their defense. Grubbs quickly attacked the bucket and knocked down the jumper to give MMU a 55-54 lead and eventually the win.
Four Blue Angels finished 5-of-6 from the free throw line; Ariel Oviedo (Sr./Shawano, Wis.), Brooke Uebersetzig, Becky Onan (Jr./Grafton, Wis.) and Lucy Pavelko. MMU finished 25-of-32 from the line altogether.
Jess Runge led the offense with 15 points, eight rebounds, two assists and three steals.
Grubbs scored 12 and pulled down her collegiate high for a single game nine rebounds.
"A ton of credit needs to go to Springfield. There is a team battling injuries and has not had a ton of fortune this year. But they came in, scratched/clawed and did not back down. In fact for three quarters they imposed their will on us," said Mount Mary Head Basketball Coach Marc Heidorf. "The crowd today was fantastic! They came out for Taj and that was so wonderful to see, but they got behind us and darn near willed us to victory towards the end of that game!"
"…very proud of Rae today. [sic] Had an unfortunate turnover late during a play that we had set up for her. She allowed herself to get upset for a moment and then immediately refocused on the 'next play'. Because she was able to do that, she was able to put herself in the position to get that game-deciding steal and basket immediately following the turnover."
Following today's game, the Blue Angels will prepare for Maranatha Baptist University (8-9). MMU heads to Watertown, Wis. Thur. Feb 9 to take on the Sabercats. The tipoff is set for 7:00 pm and will have live video and statistical coverage on mtmaryathletics.com.
