Box Score LANSING, Mich. – Lourdes women's basketball (9-1) (6-1 in WHAC) dropped a close road league game to Cleary University (7-5) (5-2 in WHAC), 69-75 on Wednesday evening in the Gannon Gymnasium. The loss was the Gray Wolves' first of the season.
Despite falling to the Cougars, Lourdes' 9-1 start to the year is the best opening 10-game stretch in program history. The loss coming on December 17 is also the latest in the year that a Lourdes women's basketball team has incurred their first loss.
The Gray Wolves still remain atop the WHAC standings. They have the tiebreaker edge over Rochester Christian with their 72-54 win over them earlier this season on Nov. 25. Cleary's victory pushes the Cougars into fourth place, a game behind Lourdes.
The game itself was close from beginning to end. Cleary was up by two at halftime and slowly separated from Lourdes at the end of the game with a few crucial made layups by Cleary's senior forward Izzy Dugal.
Stat Leaders
Junior
Kaylona Butler led the Gray Wolves in scoring for the game with 24 points. Senior
Emma Pedroza added 20 points and four assists to help out the offense. Wednesday was the fourth game of the season where the guard duo each put up 20 points.
Senior guard
Oliwia Dyja led the team with seven rebounds while also adding six points in the box score. The performance was the fourth time this year that Dyja grabbed at least seven boards for the Gray Wolves.
Forwards
Tamyah Worthy and
Camryn Ivy each did their part to slow down the Cleary offense. Worthy had her ninth multi-steal game of the year, swiping possession from the Cougars five times. On the other hand, Ivy blocked three Cleary shots, making it her fourth multi-block game of the season.
Cleary's offense was led by Izzy Dugal who had a 24 point and 13 rebound double-double performance. Freshman guard Melanin Holman also had an impressive night with 14 points and eight steals.
Team Comparison
Overall, Lourdes had the advantage beyond the arc 37.5% to 28.6%, the free throw battle 76.5% to 57.7%, and turnovers committed 15-17. However, the Cougars significantly outrebounded the Gray Wolves 46-34, which resulted in a +14 points in the paint advantage for Cleary.
Coach Bradford's Postgame Comments
"Cleary played harder and did more of the little things on the court than we did tonight. They are well coached and they earned the win. Our team worked at staying composed, together, and getting better, and it just didn't work out in our favor tonight. We will work hard in the 24-hour turn around to be regrouped on Friday."
Next Game
Lourdes will be back home to take on the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Pomeroys on Friday, Dec. 19 at 3:00 p.m. The matchup is part of alumni day and will be Lourdes' final home game before the holiday break.
