Rematch: #20 Bobcats Rally Down the Stretch in Win Over Ellsworth
The Bryant & Stratton College's women's basketball team's 76-71 win over the Ellsworth Community College Panthers on Saturday marked as the second straight time in one week they defeated the Panthers...
WAUWATOSA, WI (November 24, 2018) - The Bryant & Stratton College women's basketball team's 76-71 win over the Ellsworth Community College Panthers on Saturday marked as the second straight time in one week they defeated the Panthers which improved them to 5-1 overall on season. The Bobcats blew out the Panthers in their first meeting 104-71 back on November 17.
Despite an easy victory for the Bobcats in their first meeting, the rematch came down to the final seven minutes of the game this time around.
The Bobcats held a one point lead (58-57) with just over six minutes left in the contest and head coach, Jeff Lorenz, was not pleased with team's the lack of execution on the defensive end of the floor.
"We were not as active defensively as we normally are which allowed them to get easy opportunities around the basket," Lorenz said.
With five minutes remaining, the Bobcats went on an 8-0 run and stretched their lead to nine (66-57) after a steal and transition layup by freshman guard, Kiyanna Rodgers.
Over the next two minutes, it was a struggle to get stops defensively for the Bobcats as the Panthers rallied back to trail only by two (66-64) with four minutes left on the clock.
Battling through adversity, it was freshman, Essence Rayford, who led the two-on-one break and assisted sophomore guard, Valerie Nzeakor for the basket and the foul.
"Down the stretch we did a great job of pushing the ball up the floor to get transition baskets," Lorenz said. "We need to be more consistent in our transition game."
The made basket and free throw from Nzeakor put the Bobcats up 69-64 which gave them some breathing room.
Moments later, sophomore forward, Ja'Taviah Conley, sealed the deal for the Bobcats after knocking down a clutch three-point shot with just under a minute remaining giving the Bobcats a commanding eight point lead.
Leading the way for the Bobcats was Conley with a season high 18 points on .50% shooting from the field followed by Rayford with 14 points on .50% shooting as well.
Forward, Brandilyn Robertson, was just shy of double-double dropping 9 points and a season high 18 rebounds.
The Bobcats shot 41% from the field but just 42% from the charity stripe.
The win marks as the Bobcats fifth consecutive victory.
UP NEXT:
Bryant & Stratton will look to make it six in-a-row as they take on the host of the NIACC Tournament, North Iowa Area Community College, on Sunday.
Tip-off will take place at 2pm.
Spectators can watch Bobcats live on the OFFICIAL YOUTUBE CHANNEL