BELOIT, WI – In a Saturday afternoon at Flood Arena, the Beloit College women's basketball team displayed flashes of dominance and a "never-quit" attitude, despite falling 67-52 to Illinois College (8-8, 4-3 MWC). While the final score favored the visitors, the Buccaneers (5-11, 2-5 MWC) proved they could lock down defensively and win the momentum battle in the final stretches of the game.
The story of the night for Beloit was the stellar performance of senior forward Hailey Johnson (South Milwaukee, Wis.). Johnson was a force on both ends of the floor, logging a team-high 38 minutes. She led all Buccaneers with 18 points and nearly secured a double-double with 9 rebounds. Her efficiency was a highlight, shooting 7-of-13 from the field and adding two blocks to anchor the Beloit defense.
Complementing Johnson's interior presence were Julia Kennedy (South Milwaukee, WI) and Bailey Darneal (Colorado Springs, CO), who each contributed 9 points. Kennedy was particularly active on the glass, pulling down 6 rebounds and facilitating the offense with 3 assists. On the defensive end, Kaitlin Davis (Platte City, Mo.) provided a physical spark, leading the team with 8 rebounds and matching Johnson with two blocks.
The game began with a surge of energy for the Bucs. Beloit jumped out to an early 2-0 lead just fifteen seconds into the contest following a Johnson layup. While Illinois College responded with a run to take the lead, the Buccaneers refused to let the game slip away early.
The second quarter showcased Beloit's perimeter potential. The Buccaneers found their rhythm from beyond the arc, shooting a blistering 75% from three-point range in the quarter. This sharpshooting allowed Beloit to keep pace with the Lady Blues, heading into the locker room down by a manageable 11 points (41-30).
The most significant momentum shift for Beloit came in the final frame. After a difficult third quarter where the offense struggled to find its footing, the Buccaneers entered the fourth quarter determined to finish strong. Beloit's defense tightened significantly, holding Illinois College to just 9 points on a dismal 23.1% shooting performance in the closing ten minutes.
Beloit officially "won" the fourth quarter 13-9, fueled by aggressive play in the paint and second-chance opportunities. The Buccaneers outscored the Lady Blues in fast-break points during the final stretch, proving that their conditioning and competitive spirit remain high even when facing a double-digit deficit.
Beloit matched Illinois College's physicality, with both teams scoring 30 points in the paint. The Buccaneer reserves, led by Brooke Foster (Machesney Park, Ill.) (7 points), provided critical minutes to keep the starters fresh for the final push.
The Buccaneers return to MWC action on Wednesday on the road in Appleton to face Lawrence University. Tip off between the Buccaneers and Vikings is set for 7:30 at Alexander Gymnasium.
