Blackburn Prevails in Overtime Thriller
Savannah Kruse leads Beavers with 21 points.
The Blackburn Women's basketball team continued their season on a high winning 77-70. on the road, in an overtime thriller against a tough MacMurray team this Wednesday.
Savannah Kruse (Lake St. Louis, Missouri / Liberty) scored a team-high 21 points whilst Jenna Dudra (Pana, Illinois / Pana) added 18 points, six assists, four rebounds, and three steals.
The game served as the Beavers first conference game for the season.
Both Kruse and Dudra were two of only four Beavers scoring in double digits as teammates Gariel Pierce (Springfield, Illinois / Southeast) and Kate Smith (DuQuoin, Illinois / DuQuoin) would contribute with ten points, 11 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 11 points, seven rebounds, three steals, respectively.
Shelby Fink scored 21 points to lead MacMurray. Chassidy Hays added 18 points and nine rebounds.
After Blackburn made a strong start leading at the end of the first quarter 23-9, MacMurray would fight back maintaining their confidence only to be down 34-27 at the half. The second half would continue to be close as both teams fought relentlessly to gain any advantage they could. In the final seconds of the fourth with both teams tied at 62 apiece, Lexie Black (Belleview, Missouri / Valley R-VI) would attempt the game-winning three-pointer for the Beavers but missed, forcing overtime. In overtime, Blackburn would go on a 15-8 run and win 77-70.
Blackburn hit an unfortunate 28 of 80 (35.0 percent) from the floor; however, their impressive 21 points off turnovers and 17 second-chance points helped significantly in the win. The rebounding battle was even as Mac would win 48-47 on the boards.
MacMurray hit 25 of 63 (39.7 percent) from the floor, making a poor 5 of 18 (27.8 percent) from behind the arc. Mac was able to convert 15 of their 24 free throws, for 62.5 percent shooting from the line whilst the Beavers would shoot a notable 15 of 20 to hold a 75 percent measure from the line.
Up Next: The Beavers play Saturday, Dec. 1, in a 1:00 p.m. matchup against Westminster College at home.