LIMA, Ohio (LourdesAthletics.com) -- The Lourdes University women's basketball team saw its three-game winning streak come to an end Saturday afternoon, falling 66-55 to the University of Northwestern Ohio in a tough road Wolverine-Hoosier Athletics Conference (WHAC) matchup in Lima, Ohio.
The Gray Wolves opened strong, jumping to a 17-11 lead after the first quarter thanks to sharp three-point shooting and aggressive rebounding. However, the Racers responded with an 18-11 advantage in the second quarter to take a slim halftime lead, 29-28.
The third quarter proved pivotal, as Lourdes shot just 37.5% from the field while Northwestern Ohio capitalized on turnovers to extend its lead. A balanced Racer offense and key free throws in the fourth quarter sealed the game, handing the Gray Wolves their fourth WHAC loss of the season.
Emma Pedroza and Grace Ryan each tallied 11 points to lead Lourdes offensively. Pedroza added eight rebounds and five assists, while Ryan went 7-of-10 from the free-throw line and grabbed five boards. Nadeen Jemaa contributed 10 points, hitting 2-of-7 from beyond the arc, while Macie Stringfellow finished with seven points and three rebounds.
Off the bench, Oliwia Djya provided a spark with seven points and a team-high seven rebounds in just 25 minutes of action. Despite the collective effort, the Gray Wolves struggled to find offensive consistency, shooting 30% from the field and committing 18 turnovers.
Northwestern Ohio's balanced attack saw four players reach double figures, with clutch free-throw shooting down the stretch helping the Racers maintain their lead. The loss drops Lourdes to 11-6 overall and 6-4 in WHAC play.
Up Next:
The Gray Wolves will look to bounce back on Wednesday, Jan. 15, when they host Siena Heights inside the Russell J. Ebeid Recreation Center. Tip-off is set for 5:30 PM.
