The Spartans of Aurora University women's basketball team squared off against the Warriors of Wisconsin Lutheran in the first of a double header taking place in Thornton gymnasium Saturday afternoon. The hot shooting of the Warriors proved to be too much for the Spartans to overcome with
WLC prevailing 87-63.
The big story of the contest came from the hot shooting by both teams who combined to knock down 28 three-point field goals, 19 by the Warriors and 9 by the Spartans. The 28 made three-pointers sets a NCAA Division III record for a single game, the previous record being 27.
The nets were on fire in the opening minutes as both teams poured in baskets from outside. By the 15:00 minute mark, the two teams had combined to attempt 16 three pointers with the Warriors going 6-of-11 and the Spartans two of five. Leading the shooting display in Thornton was Warrior sophomore guard Alyssa Allister who thus far was four of five from downtown.
With 13:00 on the clock and the Warriors holding a 24-19, only four points had come from inside the three point line. Those four points coming off one layup and a pair of free-throws by the Spartans.
The hot shooting that both teams enjoyed early in the half fizzled out for the Spartans as they found themselves scoreless for the better part of nine minutes. During this stretch, the Warriors continued to have success against the Spartan defense and opened up a 39-19 lead with just four minutes remaining in the half.
The momentum in the closing minutes of the first half was controlled by Wisconsin Lutheran as they pushed their lead to 22 points, 50-28.
At the half, the stellar shooting of the Warriors totaled 13 three pointers in the first half behind Allister (four-of-six), freshman guard Rachel Hoft (three-of-four) and sophomore guard Brittany Bahr (three-of-five).
The Spartans were paced by senior center Michelle Perry (six points and four rebounds) and senior guard Jessica Mason (6 points on two-of-three shooting from three)
The second half began with the Spartans striking first, however a series of baskets for the Warriors capped off with back to back three point baskets by the Warriors Allister left the score 58-31.
The Warriors continued to own the momentum as the second half progressed. A basket by Spartan freshman forward Jordan Kinstner with just over nine minutes remaining in the game ended a 23 to
three run by the Warriors (WLC led 77-36).
The Spartans took control of the momentum late in the half as they battled back with a run of their own. Spartans sophomore guard Devin Barth converting on a layup and the bonus free-throw after the foul started a 21 to 4 run to bring the score 84-59 in favor of the Warriors with just under three minutes remaining.
Despite great effort late in the game and finishing on a 25-7 scoring run, the Spartans were unable to overcome the tremendous shooting of the Warriors. The game finished 87-63
The Spartans were led on the day by Mason (14 points on four-of-seven from outside), Perry (12 points and eight rebounds) and senior guard Ashley Daniels (seven assists and four steals).
The Warriors were led by four players. Allister (7-12 from three-point range for 21 points), Bahr (five-of-seven from three-point range with 15 points), Hoft (three-of-four from outside with 15 points) and Day (three-of-seven from downtown for nine points).
