MONMOUTH, Ill. - The Beloit College Women's basketball team played their first Midwest Conference road match this afternoon when they traveled to Monmouth to square off against the Fighting Scots. 

The Buccaneers (0-9, 0-2 MWC) struggled offensively, shooting just 31.7% (19-60) from the field and 20% (5-25) from three-point range. Despite the shooting woes, they did convert 70.6% (12-17) of their free throws. The Fighting Scots (3-4, 1-1 MWC) shot 46.4% (27-58) from the field and 38.5% (5-13) from deep. 

Hailey Johnson (South Milwaukee, Wis.) led Beloit with 12 points on 5-15 shooting, adding 3 rebounds and 4 steals. Johanna McNair (Fishers, Ind.) contributed 9 points and 4 rebounds, while Hadja Bayo (Round Rock, Texas) had 7 points, 8 rebounds, and an impressive 5 blocks.

Monmouth controlled most of the game, building their lead gradually through each quarter (20-15, 37-24, 56-41, 71-55). They shot a more efficient 46.6% from the field and dominated the rebounding battle 46-22.

Beloit did show some fight in the third quarter, scoring 17 points - their highest-scoring period. They also forced 26 Monmouth turnovers and recorded 12 steals as a team. However, Beloit's own offensive struggles, including 17 turnovers, and the large rebounding deficit proved too much to overcome.

The closest Beloit got in the second half was when they cut the lead to 7 points at 59-52 with 5:14 remaining, but Monmouth closed out the game with a 12-3 run to secure the 16-point victory.

The Buccaneers will be in action next on Saturday, December 14th against Cornell College at home. Tip off from Flood Arena is set for 1 pm.