MILWAUKEE – Today at the Bloechl Center the Mount Mary University women's basketball team defeated Moody Bible Institute (0-8) by a score of 78-38. The win moves the Blue Angels to 6-12 on the season. With two games left to go, MMU could tie the program's single season wins record of eight; set by the 2008-09 Blue Angels and tied by the 2011-12 team.
A slow start offensively for both teams began this game. A constant back-and-forth contest gave way to the Blue Angels taking a 12-11 lead to end the first quarter. Shooting 4-of-14 as a team in the opening frame, senior Jess Runge (Freedom, Wis.) took control going 2-of-3 from the field and 1-of-2 from behind the 3-point line.
As the Archers kept pace in the first, MBI shot 2-of-13 in the second quarter and gave away 12 turnovers. The Blue Angels capitalized with 10-of-16 from the field and snatched away six team steals. Runge led the charge again going 4-of-4 with nine points in the quarter.
Leading 36-19 at halftime, the Blue Angels continued to apply the defensive pressure and forced eight more Archer turnovers and held MBI to six points. The Blue Angels shot 9-of-13 as a team from the field, and 6-of-7 from the free throw line to score 27 points to further their lead.
The Archers continued to attack despite the scoreboard. Finding a bit more rhythm in the fourth quarter, the Archers shot 5-of-9 from the field and 2-of-5 from beyond the 3-point line for their biggest output of the day: 13.
MMU held the opposition at bay with 15 points of their own, along with seven team steals. Taylor Yordt (So./Omaha, Neb.) led the scoring for MMU in fourth with four points as she went 2-of-4 from the floor.
In another gritty performance, Becky Onan (Jr./Grafton, Wis.) filled out the stat-sheet with 12 points, six rebounds, seven assists, seven steals and two blocks.
"I feel like we had our mojo back. It was a good feeling to have that back. I think we needed this win to finish the season strong. And I'm excited to see what these next two games have in store for us," said Onan.
"That may have been one of Becky's best all-around games that I've seen her play," said Mount Mary Head Basketball Coach Marc Heidorf. "She did a tremendous job of reading what the defense was giving her and not only getting her shots, but setting up teammates & putting them in great positions to succeed."
Teammate Brooke Uebersetzig (Fr./Greenwood, Ind.) dished out seven assists as well to lead her team's offense while also scoring nine points.
"After today's game, I do not get the impression though that this team is going to call it a season just yet. They feel like they left one out on the court at Andrews a couple of weeks ago," added Heidorf. "Finding motivation for that rematch next Saturday should not be an issue."
Following today's contest, the Blue Angels will prepare for that final home game of the 2016-17 season. MMU will host Andrews University (4-13) on Sat. Feb 18 at 6:30 pm. MMU will look to host Senior Night, Family Night, Alumnae Night and a Gold Rush Day all on February 18th as they try to break the school's Bloechl Center attendance record of 202 set by the 2013 Blue Angels volleyball team. For updates, stay tuned to mtmaryathletics.com.
