Box Score
Faced with a seven-point deficit and just over six minutes remaining in Thursday's conference tilt with Saint Joseph's College, the Rangers had their backs against the wall. After a time out by Coach Kenesie the Rangers came out swinging scoring nine straight points and 17 of the final 23 in a big 75-71 win over the Pumas. It is the Rangers 18th straight victory over Saint Joseph's.
The win keeps the Rangers in a second place tie in the GLVC Eastern Division at 7-3 (14-4 overall) with Northern Kentucky. UW-Parkside will head to first-place Indianapolis (8-2) for a showdown with the Greyhounds at noon on Saturday.
Brittany Beyer led the Rangers with a game-high 21 points to go with six rebounds.
Jadee Rooney had 16 points and five assists.
Jenna Endisch and
Kaitlyn Bettiga each had 12 points while Endisch pulled down seven boards.
Montrell Mills led three Pumas in double figures with 16 points.
A 9-2 run by the Pumas gave them their biggest lead of the game at 6:06 left in the contest. Montrell Mills scored back-to-back hoops in transition to open up a 65-58 cushion. That drew the ire of Coach Kenesie and earned a time out.
Beyer went 1-for-2 at the line after the quick break to get the lead down to six. After a Ranger defensive stop,
Danielle Slivka knocked down a big three-pointer, her only field goal of the game, to make it 65-62.
After the teams traded misses it was Rooney with the clutch basket, this one a three-pointer, to tie it at 65. Beyer followed the next time down with a bucket in the paint for the Rangers first lead since 4:25 left in the first half.
The Pumas would battle back scoring four straight points. Breanna Birmingham's basket with 1:18 left gave Saint Joe's a 69-67 lead.
But once again it was the Rangers who would have the final say. Rooney ignited an 8-0 run with a go-ahead three-pointer with 1:03 to go making it 70-69.
After a defensive stop Rooney came back down with the play of the game. With the Rangers bleeding out the shot clock she slashed down the right side of the lane, drew the foul and got the scoop shot to go over the defense for a three point lead. Her ensuing free throw made it 73-69.
From there the Rangers got another stop, added a pair of free throws from Slivka, and saw the Pumas lay one in just before the horn to create the 75-71 final.
Parkside finished the game shooting 52.6% from the floor including 57.1% in the second half. The Rangers overcame a 40-35 lead at halftime despite committing ten second half turnovers.
Saturday's game at Indianapolis can be heard on 1400 AM WRJN or on the web at gatewaysportsweb.org.
