HILLSBORO, Kan. (TaborBluejays.com) – Tabor College Gymnasium filled with fans eager with anticipation for the first home contest in almost a month, creating an exciting environment Saturday afternoon as the Lady Bluejays played host to the Ottawa University Braves. Saturday’s contest looked to be the perfect chance for TC to get back on the right track following a three-game skid, dating back to Christmas break. Ottawa came in looking to bounce back as well, albeit from a longer five-game skid.
Immediately from the tip, the game was an instant classic, with Ottawa leading by a slim one-point margin at the end of the 1st quarter, 15-14. Breakout sensation Kloe Bowin made her presence known from the start, scoring the first two buckets for the Bluejays.
Two big threes helped fuel the Bluejay’s efforts in the 2nd quarter, with Kassidy Beam draining the first and Lillie Veer draining the second. Neither team was really able to pull away for the remainder of the first half, with Tabor holding the largest lead (three points) just seconds before the buzzer sounded.
Tabor found themselves down by three going into the final quarter of play, but that would be no issue, as the Bluejays took the lead for the final time with 3:34 remaining. Ottawa continued to foul in the waning seconds of the game as it continued to slip farther from their grasp, allowing TC to build their lead. The 70-62 result snaps the previous skid the Bluejays were on, giving them solid momentum going into next week.
Kloe Bowin continues to lead Tabor’s scoring efforts, pouring in a career high 22 points, while MIyah McGee finished with 10 points of her own. Kassidy Beam finished just outside of double figures, tallying nine points.
Bowin also led the team on the boards, pulling down seven rebounds, while Beam lead the way of the defensive front with two steals.
“It was great to get a win after dropping three straight games and two games in KCAC play”, remarked Head Coach Shawn Reed. “Although we still have plenty to work on, we made more plays at both ends of the court including some hustle and second effort plays which have been missing.”
“Overall, it was good to get back in the win column but more importantly was the improvement we started to see tonight. We have been working hard in practice to implement some changes at both ends of the court and it’s great to see some fruit from those efforts.”
“We still have a lot of room for growth but when you take a positive step forward as a team it starts to build confidence and belief. It was good to see our team take a move forward tonight and I am proud of their progress and growth!”
The Bluejays get to take a breath and get some rest before they play host to bitter rival Bethel College on Wednesday.
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Tabor College is a Christ-centered institution located in Hillsboro, Kansas. The Bluejays are members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and compete in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC).
