MILWAUKEE – Today at the Bloechl Center, the visiting Edgewood College Eagles defeated the Mount Mary University basketball team by a final score of 87-67. The Blue Angels (0-2) had their biggest offensive quarter to open the night, but the Eagles consistent three-point threat pushed Edgewood in front as they now sit at 2-0 on the young season.
To open the contest, the Eagles took a slight lead, but the Blue Angels were nipping away the entire time. Getting out to a 9-4 lead, the Eagles maintained that margin until the Blue Angels received a spark from their starting five. Becky Onan (Sr./Grafton, Wis.) knocked down a deep jump shot to cut the lead to three, then a hustle rebound by the forward led to a quick layup and free throw for teammate Rae Grubbs (So./Covington, Ind.) which tied things up at 15-15.
MMU continued to knock down shots in the first quarter making 9-of-17 from the field and 2-of-4 from beyond the three-point line. Lucy Pavelko (So./Muskego, Wis.) used her speed and quickness to collect a pair of rebounds, one timely steal and a season high eight points in the frame.
The Eagles were able to grab a 25-24 lead after the first ten minutes with their sustained 4-of-9 shooting performance from three-point land.
A combination of Eagle scoring and tight defense led to Edgewood stretching out the lead 49-35 at halftime. The Eagles forced nine Blue Angel turnovers in the second quarter while hitting 10-20 from the field and 4-of-7 from outside.
A spark from the Blue Angels post players to begin the cut things down to a 13-point deficit. An NBA-range three-pointer at the end of the shot clock by Onan followed by a quick layup and free throw from Erica Williams (Fr./Bloomington, Ill.) made things 54-41.
The Eagles responded making 11-of-23 from the field in the third quarter and expanding their lead to 74-51 to start the fourth quarter.
Attacking the rim for the final ten minutes, the Blue Angels outscored the Eagles 16-13 in the last frame of the evening. The Blue Angels made the most of their opportunities at the free throw line hitting 10-of-14 to finish the day.
"I am very pleased with how we attacked the full court pressure," said Mount Mary Head Basketball Coach Marc Heidorf. "Big improvement over game one came in being aggressive with the ball. Defensively we have some things to work on still but we are beginning to trust each other and that is a huge step in our progress as a team."
Becky Onan led the Blue Angels offense with her first double-double of the season. The senior forward scored 23 points while pulling down 12 rebounds.
Teammate Rae Grubbs added 13 points of her own after going a perfect 7-of-7 from the free throw line. Fellow Blue Angel Erica Williams also scored 13 points while pulling down nine rebounds.
Pavelko finished the game with 10 points and five rebounds on the day.
"Individually we got a solid performance from Lucy. Very smart player that is now getting the opportunity to show to us and herself what she is capable of."
The Blue Angels will return to action Tue. Nov. 21 as the team heads to Fond du Lac, Wis. to take on the Marian University Sabres (1-2). MMU defeated the Sabres last season 75-61 to open up their 2016-17 schedule. The Tuesday afternoon contest will begin at 5:30 pm with live video and stats available at mtmaryathletics.com.
