MILWAUKEE – The Mount Mary University basketball team defeated Finlandia University 77-65 tonight, but Becky Onan stole the show, as she became the first player in record Blue Angel history to score 1000 career points. The Blue Angels move to 7-12 on the season and have two games left to break the program's single season wins record of eight.
The first quarter saw the Lions take an early lead and ride that lead for the first seven minutes of the game. Following a turnover by the Lions, Erica Williams (Fr./Bloomington, Ill.) worked her way into the post and quickly dropped in her third field goal to give MMU a 15-14 lead.
MMU took a one point first quarter lead, then held their opponent scoreless for the first four minutes of the second. On the back of an eight-point second quarter for senior Becky Onan (Grafton, Wis.), the Blue Angels ran the lead up to nine at halftime.
The Blue Angels continued to climb ahead in the third quarter and made the score 45-32 four minutes into the frame. One minute later, history was made. Working the ball around the offense, the Blue Angels spotted Becky Onan wide-open on the weak side of the defense. A quick pass to the open Onan hit the senior in triple-threat position as she immediately released a no-doubt shot that dropped in making Onan the first in MMU recorded history to hit the 1000-point career milestone.
Following a stoppage and acknowledgement of the landmark, the teams rejoined play with MMU ahead 48-32. MMU eventually went up by 22 points in the third, but following a pair of made free throws and a timeout by the Lions, Finlandia went on an 11-0 run to cut the deficit to eight.
The Blue Angels responded with a made 3-point field goal by Brooke Uebersetzig (So./Greenwood, Ind.) that stifled the run. Playing even the rest of the way led to the Blue Angels seventh win of the season, one win away from tying the program's single season record.
"The night was already special with Becky reaching 1000 points at home, but it always adds a little something when you can reach a milestone in a win!" Mount Mary Head Basketball Coach Marc Heidorf emphasized, "We are proud of her!"
Williams pulled down an astonishing 22 of the team's 42 rebounds in the victory and scored 27 points. The eighth double-double of the year for the freshman forward saw her hit a perfect 11-of-11 from the free throw line.
Onan finished with 12 points, nine rebounds, six assists, two steals and three blocks in her penultimate career game at the Bloechl Center. Four Blue Angels in total finished the game scoring double-digit points. Rae Grubbs (So./Covington, Ind.) scored 18 points with six assists while fellow guard Uebersetzig tallied 14 points and five assists.
Following tonight's win, the Blue Angels will prepare for a rematch against Illinois Tech in the Keating Sports Complex. MMU will head to the Windy City Sat. Feb. 17 to take on the Scarlet Hawks at 12:00 pm. Live stats and video links are available for the game at mtmaryathletics.com.
