MILWAUKEE – Tonight at the Bloechl Center, the Mount Mary University basketball team defeated the visiting Robert Morris University Springfield Eagles (2-14) by a final score of 53-48. Senior Becky Onan (Sr./Grafton, Wis.) delivered with a double-double as the Blue Angels move to 6-10.
The Eagles took a slight lead early on against MMU. RMU's E'Lexus Murrell helped get her team out in front 9-4, but then was called for her second personal foul with three minutes remaining in the first quarter. The foul prompted a trip to the bench that would leave the leading score for the Eagles inactive until the third quarter.
In a collective effort, the Blue Angels quickly attacked on both sides of the ball and cut the deficit to one before the end of the frame. A quick start to the second quarter gave MMU the lead which they held onto until there was one minute left to go in the half. The Eagles chipped away at the seven-point deficit to tie things up at 23-23 before going into the locker rooms at halftime.
Turning on the defense, the Blue Angels held RMU to a five-point quarter in the third. The Eagles shot 2-of-23 from the field as they struggled to find their shot. MMU took advantage of the missed shots and out-rebounded the opposition 16-11. The 2-of-4 from outside the 3-point line helped MMU gain a 36-27 lead going into the final frame.
Attacking from the start of the quarter, the Eagles did not give up. Shooting 4-of-8 from 3-point range and 4-of-7 from the free throw line, RMU was able to score 20 points in the fourth including 14 points from Murrell. The Blue Angels kept pace and the victory by hitting 6-of-16 from the field and 3-of-4 from the free throw line.
"Tonight was a frustrating game," said Mount Mary Head Basketball Coach Marc Heidorf. "I give [Robert Morris] Springfield credit for being able to keep us from getting comfortable on offense again. I give our crew credit for continuing to grind and figuring out a way to win."
Onan scored 19 points and led the Blue Angels with 14 rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two steals. The senior hit 8-of-10 from the free throw line, making more free throws than the Eagles combined.
Teammate Rae Grubbs (So./Covington, Ind.) added 20 points to tie for the game lead with Murrell. Grubbs hit 7-of-13 from the field including 3-of-4 from outside.
The Blue Angels will travel to Wyoming, Mich. to take on the Grace Bible College Tigers on Sat. Feb. 3. The game begins at 12:00 pm CST with live video links available at mtmaryathletics.com.
