BELOIT, WI – In a Tuesday night matchup at Flood Arena, the Beloit College Buccaneers displayed remarkable resilience and flashes of brilliance before ultimately falling to Grinnell College, 62-46. Despite the final score, the Buccaneers (5-14,2-8 MWC) proved they could go toe-to-toe with the Pioneers (9-9,6-4 MWC), winning the final frame and showcasing a defensive tenacity that kept the home crowd engaged until the final whistle.
The story of the night for Beloit College was the standout performance of Julia Kennedy (South Milwaukee, WI). Kennedy was a force from beyond the arc, leading all Buccaneers with 19 points. Her shooting was surgical, as she knocked down 5-of-8 attempts from three-point range.
Kennedy wasn't the only Buccaneer to make an impact. Bailey Darneal (Colorado Springs, CO) added 10 points to the tally, while the team's presence on the glass was anchored by Hailey Johnson (South Milwaukee, Wis.) and Kaitlin Davis (Platte City, Mo.), who both hauled in 10 rebounds. Johnson also contributed on the defensive end with a team-high 3 blocks.
The Buccaneers started the game with high energy. Early in the first quarter, Beloit seized the momentum with an 11-5 lead, punctuated by a Kennedy three-pointer at the 6:50 mark. Grinnell managed to close the quarter on a run to lead 22-16, but Beloit's start showed they were ready for the challenge.
The middle periods proved difficult for the Buccaneers, as Grinnell's defense tightened, limiting Beloit to just 4 points in the second quarter. However, the Buccaneers refused to let the game get away from them.
The true character of this Beloit squad emerged in the fourth quarter. Refusing to go quietly, the Buccaneers outscored Grinnell 16-13 in the final ten minutes. The highlight of this surge was a 7-0 scoring run late in the period (3:53), which cut into the Grinnell lead and forced the Pioneers to stay on their toes.
Beloit's bench also provided a spark when needed, contributing 9 points and helping the team maintain a high level of intensity throughout the rotation.
The Buccaneers will look to avenge a last minute loss from earlier this season when they head to Monmouth College on Saturday. Tip off between the Fighting Scots and Bucs from Glennie Gymnasium is set for 3 pm.
