CHICAGO – In their final game of the season, the Mount Mary University women's basketball team defeated the Illinois Institute of Technology Scarlet Hawks (1-19) by a final score of 55-54. The win moves the Blue Angels to 8-12 on the year and ties the program's record for single season wins.
As usual the Blue Angels got their defense involved early to get the first quarter lead. MMU translated five team steals in the first and hitting 5-of-11 field goals into a 13-12 lead. In her final NCAA basketball game, senior Jess Runge (Freedom, Wis.) led the defense with three steals of her own in that frame.
The Blue Angels gave up the lead in the second after they struggled to hit shots consistently. For another time this season, Runge pulled her team up by the metaphorical bootstraps and hit 5-of-6 from the free throw line and cut what was an eight point Scarlet Hawk lead into just three points at the halftime buzzer.
In the third quarter, the Blue Angels found their shot, both inside and out. MMU hit 9-of-18 from the field in the quarter, 5-12 from beyond the 3-point line on their way to scoring 25 points. Rookie Brooke Uebersetzig (Fr./Greenwood, Ind.), perhaps picked up the 3-point shooters torch as she hit 4-of-5 3-pointers in the quarter to lead her team with 12 points: Illinois Tech score 12 points in the third quarter as a team.
The Scarlet Hawks did not stop attacking in the fourth despite the deficit. Down by 10 to start the fourth, Illinois Tech held MMU without a point for five minutes while they went on a 11-0 run to start the frame.
A combination of late fourth quarter free throws from Runge and Becky Onan (Jr./Grafton, Wis.) got the Blue Angels the lead back and put a quick halt to the comeback. With a chance to take the lead, the Scarlet Hawks got off a late last second shot and capture their own offensive rebound for a reload, but the Blue Angels stayed sound and defended both shots to hang on for the win.
In her final game as a Blue Angel, Ariel Oviedo (Sr./Shawano, Wis.) scored five points, pulled down eight rebounds, two steals and dished out four assists. Fellow senior Jess Runge finished with 14 points, five rebounds, six assists and four steals.
Uebersetzig and Onan Each finished with 14 to lead the Blue Angels in scoring along with Runge. Onan's ten rebounds gave her a double-double, her fourth of the 2016-17 season.
"It was a good, hard fought, team win. I wouldn't have wanted to end the season with anybody else other than these girls," added Blue Angel Guard Brooke Uebersetzig. "This game was a big win not only for the program, but for Jess and Ariel."
The win also ties the program record for single season wins at eight. A feat set by the 2008-09 and 2011-12 Blue Angels, and now this year's team joins the annals as third team to do so.
"The eight wins means we are improving. That is all I am concerned with," said Mount Mary Head Basketball Coach Marc Heidorf.
"We were blessed to have Jess and Ariel for two years and their impact on this program will be felt for years to come."
For more updates on the Blue Angels as they enter the offseason and for news on all your Blue Angels Athletics, pay close attention to mtmaryathletics.com.
