Women's Basketball Falls in Home Opener

The Blackburn Women's Basketball was defeated by Lakeland University by the score of 75-59. The game took place in Carlinville at Blackburn College on Thursday, November 18th. 

Lakeland had a huge advantage in the paint which seemed to dictate the game. Lakeland outscored Blackburn 42-12 in the paint. Muskies also outshot the Beavers 37.1 to 23.5 from the floor.

In the first quarter, the game was tightly contested with 7:39 the game was tied as Hannah Box connected on a three. Lakeland would then go on a six to zero run to make the score 11 to five with 5:51 left. Box would hit another three to bring the score within three again. The score at the end of the quarter was 15 to ten. 

In the second quarter, the game would stay tightly contested throughout. It was a defensive battle as the teams shot a combined 1-12 from the three-point line. With their great defense, the Beavers would tie the game up 19-19 at the three-minute mark in the second quarter. Blackburn drove to the hole with aggression at the end of the half and got the line to give the Beavers the lead 27-26 at halftime. 

The lead didn't last long as the Muskies went on a quick four to zero run to take a three-point lead. Mariah Hopson would hit a three to tie the game at 30. Lakeland would go on a huge 14 to zero run to open up the game.  They caused four turnovers over the run. The score was 43 to 30 with 3:36 left. The Beavers would answer back with their ten to zero run to cut the lead to 46 to 42 headed to the fourth. 

The fourth quarter was all Muskies. Lakeland got out to a hot start and extended the lead to nine at the seven-minute mark. The Muskies would put the game away at the free-throw line. In the 4th quarter alone, they shot 21-30 on free throws. Lakeland outscored the Beavers alone from the free throw line in the last period. The Muskies pulled away for a 16 point win with the final score being 75-59. 

The leading scorer for the Beavers was Aryanna Harris who scored 18 and was 11-14 from the free throw line. Callista Francis was the leading rebounder with nine. Blackburn shot 23% from the field and 19% from beyond the arc. 

The Beavers fall to 0-6 on the season and the next game will be at Lincoln Christian on Saturday, November 20th.