HONOLULU, Hawaii- On Saturday evening, Centre women's basketball returned to play in the Hoops in Hawaii Invitational. After a slow start, the Colonels battled back but fell short in the game's final quarter, suffering a 72-68 loss.
GAME HIGHLIGHTS
- The Bearcats took a substantial lead in the opening frame, holding Centre to just six points while netting 24 themselves. The Colonels slowly began to cut the gap in the second quarter. With three minutes to go in the half,
Bailey Rucker opened a 10-2 tare for the Gold & White featuring notable baskets from
Ryleigh Campbell and
Lilly Reid. Although outscoring Willamette 20-16 in the period, the Gold and White continued to trail by 14 entering the break.
- Centre made their largest offensive push out of the locker room. Rucker and Reid matched the Bearcats point for point in the initial minutes. Halfway through,
Emma Perna struck hot, netting back-to-back lay-ups to open an 11-2 run that brought Centre within six entering the final quarter.
- Reid put the Colonels within one with a pair of lay-ups to start the period. Willamette battled back, stretching the lead to nine approaching the final minute. Rucker and
Katelyn Stiltner cut the deficit back to four but when regulation closed, the score read Willamette 72, Centre 68.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Rucker led the game in points with a season high of 27 points. Reid also obtained double figures with 16 points.
- Stiltner led the Colonels in rebounds with seven.
- Reid doubled all other athletes in assists with six.
- Centre favored in fast break points (8-6), second chance points (11-6), and points from turnovers (18-7).
NEXT UP
Centre women's basketball will remain in Hawaii for their final game in the Hoops in Hawaii tournament on Dec. 22
nd at 7:15 p.m. ET.
