MILWAUKEE — Bryant & Stratton College (WI) women’s basketball started its season on Friday at the JUST A GAME NJCAA Tip-Off. The Bobcats were without their top player in Trishena Brown who suffered a sprained ankle during the week in practice. 

“I think it was a great experience to play without her because we do run a lot of stuff through her,” head women’s basketball coach Brandon Siska said. “We found ways to keep battling so I was proud of them for not quitting and playing hard. There wasn't a single complaint and they just kept paying through it.”

The Bobcats’ first opponent of the weekend was the Grand Rapid Raiders, who finished 10-16 last season. 

It was a competitive first half and the first half ended with the Bobcats holding a one-point lead. 

“I was pretty nervous, but as soon as my first shot went in, the nerves went away,” freshman Mia Ott said. “And as the game went on, I felt more confident because my shots were falling.”

The Bobcats trailed by six points at the end of the third quarter, but they remained vigilant and they knocked down shots when they needed to. Bryant & Stratton walked off the court with its first win of the season and Ott led the Bobcats with 22 points. 

Following the win on Friday, the Bobcats would take on the No. 11-ranked Mid Michigan Lakers and aim to get their season off to a great start. 

It would be a tall task, considering the Lakers put up 89 points in a win over Black Hawk (Moline) the previous night. Mid Michigan put the pressure on early and the Bobcats managed to score just 17 points in the first half, but gave up 43 points. Bryant & Stratton didn’t back down and recorded 39 points in the second half. However, the Lakers rolled on and ultimately finished with a 92-56 win over the Bobcats.

Megan Rockwell led the Bobcats offense with 16 points, while Markeila Bolds finished with 10 points.

Overall, it was a great weekend for the Bobcats to get their feet wet and they will look forward to having another successful season. Coach Siska also gave his thoughts on the weekend.

“We were able to see what one of the top teams in the country plays like in Mid Michigan, the type of intensity and relentlessness it takes to play at a high level,” Siska said. “It’s unfortunate not having Trishena this weekend, but our young kids got an opportunity to kind of figure things out without her in there and couldn’t just defer to her which will help us in the long run. We had multiple kids step up and make play. Even with the way the game went today it was a good weekend for our team to continue to improve.”

Bryant & Stratton women’s basketball will hit the court next at Parkland College on Nov. 9.