Terra Haute, Indiana—On Saturday, December 11 the Mount St. Joseph University Women's Basketball program took to the road for the first time in their 2021-2022 season. Their first road trip saw them travel to Rose Hulman to take on the Fightin Engineers. The Lions entered this game, carrying a (3-3) overall record. The Lions fell short in this game by a final score of 76-63.
The Engineers opened up the action in this game, scoring their first bucket of the game about a minute into play. On the ensuing Lions possession, Freshman Anyiah Murphy was able to knock down a three-pointer that was assisted by Chloe Jensen. After this shot, Rose was able to assemble a 6-0 run against the Lions giving them a 8-3 lead.
Following a pair of free throws by the Engineers, Jensen was able to facilitate a score, finding Haley Scott from behind the arc, closing the deficit to 8-6. After a small run by the Engineers that included a three-point bucket and a made jump shot, the Lions were able to return the favor. Shelby Turner was able to sink a deep shot, thanks to a Maddie Haberthy assist, then Haberthy was able to find Carlee Daulton for a fast-break layup to match the previous Rose Hulman run.
With 2:27 remaining in the first quarter of play, both teams began trading scores. Haberthy was able to knock down two, three-point attempts to close the first quarter of play. Rose Hulman was able to keep pace, knocking down a pair of free throws and a layup.
The start of the second quarter saw the Engineers grow their lead, assembling an 8-0 run. This run was ended when Jensen once again found Murphy behind the arc, for another three-pointer. Rose Hulman quickly responded with a three of their own to bring the score to 32-20. After stops by both teams, Jensen was able to come up with a steal, that led to Haberthy finding Murphy for a fast break three. Rose, once again responded, knocking down a jump shot. This was followed by, Ellie Oldenick blocking a Rose Hulman shot attempt, leading to Haberthy finding Daulton for a fast-break layup. Both teams exchanged scores to close out the first half, seeing the Lions go into the break trailing, 42-32.
The Lions were able to get the first score in the third quarter as Shelby Turner knocking down a three-pointer. At this point Rose Hulman began to rebuild their lead, extending it to 47-38. At this point Jensen was able to turn the tide in momentum, coming up with a steal and taking it the distance for an easy fast break score.
At the 3:38 mark in the third, the Lions found themselves trailing 56-42, before Jensen found Haberthy for a three-pointer to shorten the Engineers lead back to 11. In the closing minutes of the third, the Engineers were able to assemble another run that would leave the Lions trailing 62-50 going into the final quarter of play.
Habberthy, provided a steady hand to the Lions to start the fourth, attacking the basket to bring the game to within 10 points. After a brief stint in which both teams scored at the same clip, Rose Hulman began to pull away once again. With a 7-2 run by the Engineers the Lions found themselves trailing by the largest margin of the afternoon, 16 points.
With 5:40 remaining in the game Scott was able to drain a three-pointer, that was followed by Jensen taking a defensive rebound coast to coast for a fast break score, narrowing the deficit back to 11. The game closed out, with Rose on a 5-2 run, seeing the Lions lose in a hard fought game 76-63.
Despite the tough loss, several Lions turned in solid performances. Haberthy led the team in scoring, with 16 points while adding 4 assists, 3 rebounds and 1 block. Jensen had a double digit performance, scoring 12 points while coming away 6 rebounds, 6 steals, and 4 assists. Murphy continued her impressive start to her career, scoring nine total points to go along with two steals.
The Lions will return to action on Saturday, December 18 when they travel to Bluffton University for another Heartland Conference battle with Tip-off at 2 PM. For continued coverage of this upcoming game and all other MSJ Athletics continue to follow msjlions.com
