APPLETON, Wis. – In a game defined by dramatic momentum shifts and high-octane offense, the Beloit College women's basketball team showcased significant resilience and bench depth during a mid-week conference clash at Lawrence University. Despite a dominant third-quarter surge by the Vikings (13-4,6-2 MWC) that ultimately led to an 81-66 final score, the Buccaneers (5-12,2-6 MWC) proved they could go toe-to-toe with the top of the conference, outscoring Lawrence in two of the four periods.
Beloit entered Alexander Gym ready to compete, jumping out to an early 3-0 lead just two minutes into the first quarter. While Lawrence managed to reclaim the lead by the end of the opening frame, the Buccaneers spent the second quarter putting on a clinic in offensive efficiency.
The defining moment of the first half belonged entirely to Beloit. Trailing by 10 points late in the second period, the Bucs orchestrated a masterful 9-0 scoring run over the final minute of the half. This explosion was capped by a late surge that brought Beloit within a single point, trailing just 34-33 as they headed to the locker room. During this stretch, the Buccaneers shot a blistering 61.5% from the field, effectively silencing the home crowd and seizing all the momentum.
Beloit's offensive effort was balanced, with several players stepping up in high-pressure moments. Julia Kennedy (South Milwaukee, WI) led the Buccaneers with 14 points. Kennedy was a force on both ends of the floor, adding three steals and a block to her stat line while logging 33 minutes of action. Aina Mallorqui (Valls, Spain) provided a model of efficiency, shooting 4-of-5 from the field (including a three-pointer) to finish with 11 points. Kyana Aguilera (Milwaukee, Wis.) sparked the team off the bench with a perfect shooting night. Aguilera went 3-for-3 from the floor, including two critical shots from beyond the arc, to finish with 10 points in just 13 minutes. Hailey Johnson (South Milwaukee, Wis.) anchored the interior for the Bucs, hauling in a team-high 9 rebounds and contributing 8 points to the effort.
The third quarter proved to be the game's turning point, as Lawrence utilized a 17-0 run to pull away. However, the Buccaneers refused to let the game spiral. Demonstrating the grit that has come to define this roster, Beloit regrouped for the final ten minutes.
The Buccaneers "won" the fourth quarter, outscoring the Vikings 24-14. This final push was fueled by a bench that contributed 19 total points and a defensive effort that forced Lawrence into several late turnovers. Beloit's ability to convert Viking turnovers into points and keep pace in the paint (22 points) kept them within striking distance until the final whistle.
The Bucs return home to Flood Arena on Saturday to host the Cornell College Rams. Tip off is set for 3 pm.
