Graceland Falls Behind Early in 60-53 Loss
SPRINGFIELD, MO. - The Graceland University women's basketball team was defeated by Evangel University last night in Heart conference play, 60-53.
The Yellowjackets got off to a slow start on both ends of the floor as they fell behind to the Crusaders in the first quarter. Trailing 24-7 with less than two minutes to play, Graceland went on a quick run to end the quarter to narrow their deficit. At the end of the opening quarter, the Yellowjackets trailed 27-13.
Evangel, leading the entire quarter, forced Graceland into seven turnovers and just 5 of 14 shooting. Evangel shot 11 of 21 from the field in the first quarter and outrebounded the Yellowjackets 13-8. Graceland was led by Brooke Vermeer with seven points and four rebounds.
A few minutes into the second quarter, Graceland would begin to make their way back into the contest. They would go on a 6-0 run with a basketball plus two free throws from Kailey Boden and another bucket from Calesse Bair. Bair's basket would force a timeout with 7:52 left in the first half and Graceland still trailing 30-22. After Evangel answered their run, Graceland would go on another scoring spree later in the quarter. Heaven Mbaruk helped lead a 9-point as she had four of those points to trim Evangel's lead under double-digits. Bair would close the quarter on a three pointer assisted by Victoria Nauman to leave the Yellowjackets down by just five, 40-35.
Graceland shot much better in the second quarter compared to the first as they ended the first half shooting 45% from the floor. They were also 8 of 9 from the free throw line and outrebounded the Crusaders, 23-20. Vermeer was the leading scorer through two quarters with 12 points and had six rebounds as well.
The third quarter was very low scoring for both sides as neither team shot the ball well. It was a back and forth quarter most of the way, but Evangel would manage to pull away in the closing minutes and led 54-44 going into the fourth quarter.
Much like the third quarter, the final ten minutes was low scoring as well. Evangel would score the first three points of the quarter as they led by 13 with 7:41 remaining in the game. Jania Vinson would make a three off of an assist from Vermeer to cut the deficit to nine with 4:51 to go. Graceland would get a bucket in the final minute to close the gap to seven. Evangel held off the Yellowjackets to win it, 60-53.
Head coach Frank Howell commented, "Evangel got off to a blistering start and we weren't as fundamentally solid in the first few stages of the game, but we started a formidable comeback to significantly cut into their lead. As the second half unfolded, we struggled to finish in the paint as effectively as we did in the second half. Evangel is a very good team that was able to get key transition baskets and passed the ball well along the perimeter and in transition for some open threes."
Graceland shot 33% in the game from the field compared to Evangel going 31%. The Yellowjackets were able to beat the Crusaders on the glass as they had four more rebounds than Evangel. Graceland was led by Vermeer who ended the night with 16 points and eight rebounds.
"I think it was unfortunate that Brooke Vermeer had some untimely fouls as she was in a pretty good rhythm tonight, but overall our team's energy and work ethic was positive, added Howell. "We just need to continue to be mindful of little details that lead to a handful of extra baskets and extra stops that can swing the outcome in our favor. We are getting better."
The women's basketball team will now go to Central Methodist University on Saturday for their following game at 2 pm in Fayette, Missouri.
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