CINCINNATI, Ohio – On Saturday, December 16
th your Mount St. Joseph women's basketball team welcomed the Panthers of Hanover College to the Harrington Center. The Lions entered the contest riding an 8-game winning streak the program's longest since the 1995-96 season. In their last game the Lions survived an overtime thriller on the road at Rose-Hulman. During Saturday's matchup the Lions were looking to extend their historic start and move to 3-0 in HCAC play. The Mount started the game with a strong first half, but struggled offensively in the second half and Hanover never let off the gas taking down the Lions 69-59.
In the first quarter, the Lions offense started off hot. Beginning the game with a 15-5 run over the first 3:30 of action.
Morgan Jenkins got the crowd involved early with a thrilling and-one bucket to open the game. After another basket by Jenkins,
Ellie Oldendick knocked in a pair of three-pointers to help the run. Hanover would go on a run of their own to close out the quarter, narrowing the gap to 19-16 by the end of the first.
To begin the second quarter, the Mount would once again start fast. This time it was
Madison Drummonds fueling the crowd with and and-one of her own. A pair of layups by
Annabelle Williams and
Whitney Warfel, along with a huge three-pointer by
Karlee Mills pushed the Lions lead back to 10 with just 4:14 to play in the first half. Once again, the Panthers would answer, finishing the half on a run that would draw them within one at the break.
Hanover came out of the locker room with a red-hot start to the second half. Opening the third quarter with a 12-3 run taking and 8-point lead with 5:42 to play in the frame. They would push their lead out to a game-high 10-points with 2 minutes left in the third. The Lions would then close the quarter on an 8-1 run of their own to stay within striking distance.
The Mount continued that run with a 7-0 spurt to open the fourth quarter, reclaiming the lead at 55-51. Hanover quickly answered once again with a 14-2 run, putting them ahead by nine with under a minute to play. Mills made one more basket for the Lions as they attempted to get back into the game. In the end the Lions would fall for the first time this season by a final score of 69-59.
In the defeat Oldendick tied her career-high, scoring 17 points and grabbing 8 rebounds. Jenkins had another fantastic all-around performance with a team-high 11 rebounds, 9 points, 4 assists, 2 steals and a block.
UP NEXT:
Your Mount St. Joseph women's basketball team will welcome the Big Red of Denison to the Harrington Center on Wednesday, December 20
th. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 pm.
