CHICAGO – Today at the Keating Sports Complex, the Mount Mary University basketball team defeated host Illinois Tech (1-20) by a final score of 56-45. The win moves the Blue Angels to 8-12 and ties the program's single season record for wins.
As has been the recent theme for the Blue Angels (8-12), MMU grabbed the early lead tonight hitting from outside. First sophomore Brooke Uebersetzig (Greenwood, Ind.) hit from deep, then fellow guard Rae Grubbs (So./Covington, Ind.) knocked down a 3-pointer following an Uebersetzig steal.
Down 8-2, the Scarlet Hawks went on a 9-0 run to go in front. In a similar recipe from the start of the game, Uebersetzig knocked down a jumper, then following a hustle-offensive rebound from Uebersetzig, Grubbs spotted up and knocked down another 3-point field goal to give MMU the 16-13 lead.
Never surrendering the lead again, the Blue Angels clamped down on defense to start the second and as a result held Illinois Tech scoreless for the first 5:42 of the quarter. Up by 14, the Blue Angels stayed home defensively and as result held a 12-point lead going into halftime.
The Blue Angels started the second half hitting effectively and that equated to MMU grabbing a 19-point lead in the third. A roster recently hit hard by injury, the Scarlet Hawks showed their resolve. Illinois Tech continually attacked and hit their respective shots to close the deficit to just 10.
The Scarlet Hawks got as close as nine points in the fourth quarter, but the Blue Angels withstood the rally courtesy of a timely Rae Grubbs jump shot and another 3-pointer from Uebersetzig late in the frame. The Blue Angels kept the pace and outscored IIT 11-10 in the final quarter to grab the 56-45 victory.
"It is always a grind when we come here," Head Basketball Coach Marc Heidorf described. "So on the one hand there's disappointment that we couldn't get out of second gear for some stretches. On the other hand, you have to be able to win on nights you do not have your best stuff and we did that today."
Grubbs led the Blue Angels with 15 points hitting 5-of-22 from the field. Fellow Blue Angel Guard Uebersetzig finished with 14 points off a 5-of-15 performance from the field. Both guards finished with three assists in the contest.
Senior Becky Onan (Grafton, Wis.) added to her MMU all-time leading career points total with 12 today against the Scarlet Hawks. Onan added eight rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks to her totals as well.
The Blue Angels will host their long-time rival Maranatha Baptist University Tue. Feb. 20 to close out the 2017-18 season. Fans and those in attendance Tuesday will be able to honor Becky Onan in her final collegiate game during Senior Night. Live stats and video will be available at mtmaryathletics.com for those who cannot attend.
